Which of the following best defines a program aimed at accelerating the growth of startups through investment and mentorship?

The definition of a program designed to accelerate the growth of startups through investment and mentorship aligns best with an accelerator. Accelerators are structured programs that typically offer a combination of seed funding, mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts, networking opportunities, and resources to help startups grow rapidly over a defined period. This environment is particularly conducive to startups seeking to scale their business models efficiently while gaining valuable insights and connections.

In contrast, an incubator generally focuses on nurturing early-stage companies by offering support such as office space and resources without the accelerated time frame and intensive mentorship characteristic of accelerators. Innovation metrics refer to the quantitative measures used to assess the performance of innovations and do not pertain to growth acceleration programs. Disruptive innovation relates to a theory describing how smaller companies with fewer resources can successfully challenge established businesses, rather than being a framework for fostering startup growth directly through investment and mentorship. Thus, the focus on rapid growth and structured support makes the accelerator the most fitting definition in this context.