Unraveling the Influence of Founders’ Human Capital on Startup Selection and Performance : Evidence from Startup Accelerators

Prior research consistently shows a positive association between founders’ human capital and startup performance. However, this relationship is potentially confounded by early-stage selection processes that affect which startups survive and receive resources to grow. We investigate how selection influences the empirical association between founders’ human capital and startup performance in the context of startup accelerators, early filters for investment. Using an abductive approach, we find no correlation between founders’ human capital (especially education and entrepreneurship experience) and initial acceptance, but a positive link with participation and startup performance post-acceptance. Our findings suggests that high-human capital founders are more likely to participate if selected, possibly driving the observed positive association between founder human capital and startup performance