The Blog
Ecosystem Building.
Field writing from SourceLink practitioners on Ecosystem Building.
Economic Development
Ecosystem Unfiltered: Your Questions, Their Wisdom
Communities across the country are engaging in entrepreneurship-led economic development to give small businesses the best resources they need on their entrepreneurship journey. When trying to bridge gaps and solve problems, there is no “one size fits all” solution. When looking for strategies to bolster small business growth, it helps to look at those who...
Nov 21, 2025
Economic Development
How Data Becomes an Ecosystem’s Superpower
In Puerto Rico, new insights from ecosystem-wide data reveal who’s starting businesses, what drives their success, and how communities can respond faster when challenges hit. In resilient entrepreneurial ecosystems, data is the connective tissue. When it sits inside organizational silos, the picture is fragmented. But when it’s shared, analyzed, and acted on collaboratively, the entire...
Oct 29, 2025
Ecosystem Building
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation September 2025
SourceLink director, Rob Williams, kicked off our third SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly conversation of the year recalling his recent trip to the City of Detroit. While visiting, Rob returned to one of his favorite monuments, the Spirit of Detroit, a large bronze that is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It was commissioned in 1955...
Oct 24, 2025
Ecosystem Building
One System, Many Hands: The Future of Client Relationship Management Software for Economic Developers and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Builders
Collaborative or shared client relationship management (CRM) software must anchor ecosystem building in shared truth. They turn scattered records into usable intelligence. They cut friction for business owners, reveal progress across resource partners, and let funders see what their dollars actually do. Data, trust, and infrastructure are not side issues anymore; they are the key...
Aug 27, 2025
Ecosystem Building
She Built the Infrastructure; We Just Named It
When SourceLink Founder Maria Meyers received the 2025 Ecosystem Champion Award this past June at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Indianapolis, I felt something I hadn’t expected. I paused. I thought about all the people in all the rooms who don’t even know her name but have benefited from her work. It was a big...
Jul 31, 2025
Economic Development
Second Stage - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the characteristics of the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million...
May 30, 2025
Ecosystem Building
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation April 2025
It’s our favorite time of the year! Our first SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation of 2025 was held on Wednesday, April 2. SourceLink Affiliates from across the country spanning from Honolulu to Puerto Rico, joined us virtually to share best practices, exciting announcements and learn from guest speakers and each other. We ❤️ Libraries Libraries have...
Apr 21, 2025
Economic Development
Trailblazing Together: The Future of Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development
The world of economic development is constantly evolving and everchanging. Entrepreneurship-led economic development has become more of a focus in communities across the country as more and more recognize how crucial local small businesses are to growth and job creation. Entrepreneurship is more important than ever and organizations that support small business owners will likely...
Dec 20, 2024
Economic Development
Innovation-Led - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help them thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million companies that qualify as...
Nov 12, 2024
Economic Development
Main Street – Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers' insights into the characteristics of the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the United States is home to 33.3...
Jul 30, 2024
Economic Development
Microenterprises - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the characteristics of each business type and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million companies that qualify as small...
Jun 05, 2024
Ecosystem Building
An Eclipse-Inspired Approach to Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development
Earlier this week I was fortunate to have the incredible experience of watching the solar eclipse with my family and close friends. This cosmic performance, where the moon momentarily obscures the sun, offers more than just a visual marvel. It made me think about our work creating entrepreneurial ecosystems and how we all approach entrepreneurship-led...
Apr 23, 2024