Nicholas has been involved in workforce and economic development in Wyoming for the last 10 years, from helping disabled veterans find good jobs to helping small business owners around the state start or grow their enterprise. A bit of his background: he was born and raised in Wyoming and served as a paratrooper in the …
Alax works at the intersection of Community Development; Technology; and Venture Capital. Known as a super-connector and ecosystem builder, Alax spends the majority of her time serving as a conduit for local Black and Brown founders and those interested in entering the Chicago market. To you, what is an Ecosystem Builder? An Ecosystem Builder at …
Continue reading "Unsung Hero Spotlight: Alaxandria Foreman"
Entrepreneurship ecosystem building has been steadily gaining traction as an approach to grow and revitalize economies and grow stronger, more equitable communities. It’s a systems approach to growing and nurturing entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. Entrepreneurship and small business development and growth are vital to local, regional and national economies. Entrepreneurship is a key driver …
Continue reading "New to Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Building? Start Here!"
Nida is new to the Indiana ecosystem and since moving in 2021 serves on the boards of Pack Away Hunger and the Immigrant Welcome Center. She also mentors at various accelerators and advises local entrepreneurs with a particular focus on underrepresented founders. She is a founding member of Hardtech Indiana, a committee serving the hardtech …
Passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, economic development, community engagement, and higher education, Sammy has been able to work at the intersection of his passions through his ecosystem building efforts at the University of Maryland, College Park. He is naturally inclined to connecting people who could benefit from knowing each other. Activating and catalyzing meaningful engagements either …
Ecosystem building and community building is hard. Entrepreneurship ecosystem builders work for social change and impact — working to help their communities thrive. They amplify the work of local makers, doers and innovators by championing their efforts and rallying support around them. They build a culture of trust and collaboration among stakeholders, so that the …
Continue reading "Resource Spotlight: Anika Horn’s Ecosystems for Change Podcast"
Want to map your entrepreneurship ecosystem but don’t know how to get started? Start here! Note: I originally published this article in 2019 to share my lessons-learned from mapping a local ecosystem. In the years since, through research and conversations with others, I’ve gained some additional insights and perspectives. I’ve added some of those insights …
Continue reading "How to Get Started Mapping Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem [Updated]"
Cultivating a culture and practice of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a core principle for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders. As part of the Insights from the Field campaign, I wanted to hear from other ecosystem builders in the field about their approaches to DEI, and hopefully identify specific techniques that they’ve incorporated in their …
“Communities seeking to grow their economy need to understand the impact entrepreneurship and small business play in economic growth.” — Grow Your Own: Entrepreneurship-based Economic Development for Local Communities, Dell Gines, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City Ecosystem builders know that entrepreneurship and startups are critical for a healthy economy. But in too many communities …
Continue reading "Raising Awareness about Entrepreneurship as an Economic Development Strategy"
How ecosystem builders stay motivated and avoid burning out. Ecosystem building work is often thankless, tiring, and even demoralizing at times. How do ecosystem builders stay motivated to keep doing the work? What specific practices do ecosystem builders use for self-care, to keep going, and avoid burning out? This was the question I put to …
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