Mapping Accelerator Research of Korea: A Tripartite Framework of Definition, Function, and Strategic

Technological advancements have positioned startups as pivotal economic actors, underscoring the critical role of accelerators within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Accelerators foster early-stage growth by providing financial and non-financial resources, including capital, mentoring, and network access. Despite increasing scholarly attention, systematic syntheses of accelerator research remain limited. This study addresses this gap through a systematic review of 44 Korean academic articles on accelerators published up to 2024. Guided by a three aspects framework—definitional, functional, and strategic—it examines the questions: What are accelerators? Why are they necessary? How should they operate? Findings indicate that while accelerators consistently function as mechanisms to expedite startup growth, their scope has expanded to encompass knowledge brokering, trust certification, and ecosystem orchestration. By visualizing these operational mechanisms, the study offers theoretical and practical implications for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, thereby advancing an integrated understanding of accelerators’ strategic roles in Korea’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.