Best Practices

How Do You Build a Community of Ecosystem Builders? Highlights from 2018 #ESHIPSummit

Sarah Mote Jul 31, 2018

We asked a few ecosystem builders we met at the Kauffman Foundation's ESHIP Summit to share their takeaways on entrepreneurial ecosystem building.

How Is Your Community Scaling Up?

Sarah Mote Jul 30, 2018

"Without growth, this is no real entrepreneurship," says Dan Isenberg—and that's why you need a plan to both create startups and grow them.

Maria Meyers of SourceLink's Beyond Collisions

Beyond Collisions: How to Build Your Entrepreneurial Infrastructure

Sarah Mote Jul 27, 2018

Entrepreneurship is not easy—and building a sustainable infrastructure for entrepreneurs requires deep knowledge, experience, funding and champions. Here's how communities can put entrepreneurship first.

How Iowa Built a Statewide Network for Entrepreneurs

Sarah Mote Jul 17, 2018

IASourceLink connects people to people to help advance and accelerate Iowa entrepreneurship. But it didn't happen overnight. Read how IASourceLink united their entrepreneurial community into a vibrant ecosystem.

KCSourceLink Celebrates 15 years of Building Entrepreneur Community

How KCSourceLink Became a Go-To Source for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses

Sarah Mote Jul 12, 2018

The story of connecting entrepreneurs to the right resources at the right time at KCSourceLink is 15 years in the making—and they're just getting started.

Bridging the Entrepreneurship Gap in Urban and Rural Communities

Pola Firestone Jun 11, 2018

Creating inclusivity and breaking down the barriers to entrepreneurship in urban and rural communities is part of a long-term economic development strategy. Here's how to support your entrepreneurs and make sure your community is a better place to live and grow.

Building Inclusive Entrepreneurial Communities

Sarah Mote May 23, 2018

How do we make sure that all of our business owners and entrepreneurs are included in the entrepreneurial ecosystem? We have a few ideas.

Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Across America

Sarah Mote May 09, 2018

See how the largest focus group in entrepreneurship-led economic development plans on growing entrepreneurial communities across the nation. Here are the takeaways and insights from the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit.

Celebrating Entrepreneurs with National Small Business Week

How to Celebrate Entrepreneurs with National Small Business Week

Pola Firestone Apr 30, 2018

National Small Business Week is the perfect time to connect with your community's small business owners and startups and shine a light on the resources available to start and grow a business.

Highlights from #GrowingESHIP: Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit

Sarah Mote Apr 26, 2018

The Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit was packed with smart people and smart ideas. Here are just a few takeaways that may surprise you.

Must Read Blogs on Spurring Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development

Pola Firestone Apr 18, 2018

Here's your quick reads blog list on entrepreneurship-led economic development written by ecosystem builders and economic developers just in time for the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit. Enjoy!

Ecosystem Builders Bridging the Gap for Urban and Rural Communities

Sarah Mote Apr 05, 2018

Now, more than ever, geography does not determine the success of a business. These wicked-talented ecosystem builders are bridging the gaps in distressed communities and speaking at the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit April 25-26, 2018.

The Basics of Building Your Entrepreneurial Infrastructure

Rob Williams Apr 02, 2018

Communities don't need giant universities, incubators and venture capital to have a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem. But they do need these ecosystem building basics.

Best practices for attending and speaking at entrepreneur and economic development Conferences

8 Reasons Why You Should Attend the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit

Mar 08, 2018

Provoke your thinking and get down to business at the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit: a conference for economic developers and supporters of entrepreneurship.