Supporting tech founders—a needs‑must approach to the delivery of acceleration programmes for a post‑pandemic world

Along with most economic sectors, the COVID-19 crisis has had a strong impact on start-up accelerators, forcing them to seek urgent and imaginative solutions to quickly adapt to a new environment. The enforced change brought challenges that have been exacerbated by the sudden slowdown in economic activity. Despite these difficulties, it has become clear that the accelerated digital transformation that emerged through a needs-must approach to engage with start-ups through remote means has also presented new opportunities for accelerators to improve their programmes. This article analyses the impact of the COVID crisis on the organisation and results obtained by a European accelerator, which delivers programmes for growth stage technology start-ups. For this purpose, two very similar programmes have been analysed and compared: one focused on industrial technologies (delivered in 2019–2020) and another one focused on products and services built on space technologies (2020–2021). The research has been undertaken using observational techniques, reinforced through the collection of primary and secondary data throughout the study duration. The result of the analysis point to a possible post-COVID accelerator model that blends online and remote delivery as a new way of improving the experience of start-ups and optimising the use of scarce resourcesThis work has been partially funded by the European Commission under the project “Space End: Endeavour Space Hub” (GA #870480)

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC)

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions

Proposal and evaluation of an accelerator model to support entrepreneurship in advanced technologies

[SPA] Esta tesis doctoral propone y evalúa un modelo de aceleración para apoyar el emprendimiento en tecnologías avanzadas y explora el apoyo brindado por las aceleradoras en este panorama en constante evolución. Analiza la eficacia de los programas de aceleración ejecutados por una aceleradora tecnológica y su capacidad para satisfacer las necesidades de los emprendedores en un mundo más conectado, proponiendo un marco de evaluación de madurez con 30 parámetros relacionados con seis ámbitos clave de negocio (Tecnología, Producto, Mercado, Gestión de recursos humanos, Marketing, Económico-financiero y Equipo). La investigación se ha desarrollado sobre datos empíricos recogidos de forma longitudinal sobre dos programas de aceleración diseñados específicamente para apoyar a los emprendedores en ecosistemas de tecnología avanzada, investigando a cuatro grupos de start-ups. Los primeros dos grupos participaron en el programa de tecnologías industriales (Industrial Tech) ejecutado antes de la pandemia del COVID-19. Los segundos dos grupos participaron en el programa de tecnologías espaciales (Space Tech), ejecutado bajo las condiciones estrictas impuestas por la pandemia. Estas condiciones han permitido investigar el impacto de la pandemia sobre los programas de aceleración y la transición hacia una ejecución virtual de programas de aceleración. Explora los beneficios y desventajas de los programas de aceleración presenciales y virtuales y proporciona información sobre el valor y la eficiencia de diferentes modelos de entrega. Los resultados de la investigación contribuyen al diseño de programas de aceleración eficaces que ofrezcan valor a los emprendedores y sus ecosistemas. La tesis pone atención en la importancia de disponer de una mentalidad emprendedora y competencias diversas, así como la necesidad de brindar un apoyo personalizado para la puesta en marcha y crecimiento de una empresa tecnológica. También destaca el papel de los agentes, tanto públicos como privados, en el apoyo al crecimiento de las start-ups a través de programas de aceleración estructurados. En conclusión, esta tesis proporciona información de utilidad sobre las necesidades de los emprendedores en una economía conectada y las formas en que las aceleradoras pueden analizar sus necesidades y apoyar su crecimiento. Propone un modelo híbrido de ejecución que combina elementos presenciales y virtuales, que responde a los requisitos específicos de las start-ups y las ventajas de cada enfoque. La investigación tiene como objetivo proporcionar conocimiento que apoye el desarrollo de futuros programas de aceleración que apoyen el crecimiento de startups e impulsen el desarrollo económico. Proporciona recomendaciones sobre investigaciones futuras que podrían ampliar el conocimiento en este campo, pudiéndose aprovechar para el desarrollo de políticas públicas, las propias aceleradoras, y por investigadores científicos. [ENG] This doctoral thesis proposes and evaluates an accelerator model to support entrepreneurship in advanced technologies. It analyses the effectiveness of two acceleration programmes delivered by a technology accelerator in meeting the unique requirements of founders in a more connected world by proposing a 30-parameter framework for assessing the start-ups’ maturity in relation to six key business áreas (Technology, Product, Market, Human Resource management, PR & Communications, Financial, Team). The research draws on empirical longitudinal data from the programmes that were specifically designed to support entrepreneurs in advanced technology ecosystems, studying four cohorts of start-ups that participated in the two accelerator programmes. The first two cohorts participated in the Industrial Tech programme, delivered before the COVID-19 pandemic. The second two participated in the Space Tech programme, delivered under strict pandemic conditions. These conditions have also allowed the research to examine the impact of the pandemic on acceleration programmes and the shift towards online delivery. It explores the benefits and drawbacks of in-person and virtual acceleration programmes and provides insights into the value and efficiency of different delivery models. The research findings contribute to the design of effective acceleration programmes that add value to advanced technology entrepreneurs and the ecosystems in which they are embedded. The thesis emphasises the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset, diverse skill sets, and tailored support in the journey of starting and scaling a technology business. In conclusion, this thesis provides valuable insights into the needs of founders in a connected economy and the ways in which accelerators can analyse and support their growth. It proposes a hybrid model of programme delivery that combines in-person and online elements based on the specific requirements of the founders and the benefits of each approach. The research aims to inform the development of future accelerator programmes that can help technology start-ups grow and drive economic advancement. Recommendations for further research are provided to expand knowledge in this field, benefiting policymakers, accelerators, and researchers alike.Escuela Internacional de Doctorado de la Universidad Politécnica de CartagenaUniversidad Politécnica de CartagenaPrograma Doctorado en Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicacione

Diminishing benefits of urban living for children and adolescents’ growth and development

Optimal growth and development in childhood and adolescence is crucial for lifelong health and well-being1–6. Here we used data from 2,325 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight from 71 million participants, to report the height and body-mass index (BMI) of children and adolescents aged 5–19 years on the basis of rural and urban place of residence in 200 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020. In 1990, children and adolescents residing in cities were taller than their rural counterparts in all but a few high-income countries. By 2020, the urban height advantage became smaller in most countries, and in many high-income western countries it reversed into a small urban-based disadvantage. The exception was for boys in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in some countries in Oceania, south Asia and the region of central Asia, Middle East and north Africa. In these countries, successive cohorts of boys from rural places either did not gain height or possibly became shorter, and hence fell further behind their urban peers. The difference between the age-standardized mean BMI of children in urban and rural areas was <1.1 kg m–2 in the vast majority of countries. Within this small range, BMI increased slightly more in cities than in rural areas, except in south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and some countries in central and eastern Europe. Our results show that in much of the world, the growth and developmental advantages of living in cities have diminished in the twenty-first century, whereas in much of sub-Saharan Africa they have amplified

Heterogeneous contributions of change in population distribution of body mass index to change in obesity and underweight

From 1985 to 2016, the prevalence of underweight decreased, and that of obesity and severe obesity increased, in most regions, with significant variation in the magnitude of these changes across regions. We investigated how much change in mean body mass index (BMI) explains changes in the prevalence of underweight, obesity, and severe obesity in different regions using data from 2896 population-based studies with 187 million participants. Changes in the prevalence of underweight and total obesity, and to a lesser extent severe obesity, are largely driven by shifts in the distribution of BMI, with smaller contributions from changes in the shape of the distribution. In East and Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the underweight tail of the BMI distribution was left behind as the distribution shifted. There is a need for policies that address all forms of malnutrition by making healthy foods accessible and affordable, while restricting unhealthy foods through fiscal and regulatory restrictions