Understanding startup development organizations in the context of startup incubation ecosystems

Startup incubation ecosystems (SUPIEs) involve a set of interdependent development organizations and actors aimed at supporting an environment where startups can blossom. Startup development organizations (SDOs) are the organizations that support the growth of startups. They typically offer a range of services such as office space, network access, managerial and administrative support, business expertise and financial investments to early stage firms. While SDOs are unified by a singular purpose - the promotion of an environment supportive of startups - differences in their practices and models exist. In this chapter we will cover three major types of SDOs: incubators, accelerators and co-working spaces. We will discuss their peculiarities and offer suggestions for further research.