Social networks where individuals are connected to build formal and informal social capital are considered as highly important sources of collaboration, advice, inspiration and guidance for nascent entrepreneurs. The importance of social networks that provide access to funding, information, knowledge and support for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial processes is widely demonstrated but less attention has been paid on the origins of the networks and the formations of network relationships.

The purpose of this study is to examine the development of nascent entrepreneurs’ social networks during an accelerator program. We examine whether participants establish network ties at 1) the overall network level (among all participants), 2) within and between business- or gaming-oriented startup teams, or 3) on a personal level.  Drawing from data collected with a social networking questionnaire from 31 participants of the startup accelerator program at the beginning and at the end of the program, we found that the accelerator program supported the emergence of nascent entrepreneurs’ social networks regarding both venture creation and spare time networks. Our findings illustrate how social capital starts to emerge through the development of social networks already during the early stages of a new venture creation process. Hence, if one is willing to intentionally boost the emergence of social networks and social capital among the participants, the scrutiny of participants should also address that possibly competing ideas, teams and entrepreneurs can hinder this aim.