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Field writing from SourceLink practitioners on Network news.
Network news
Reflections on Last Year's Gathering
As we plan our next in-person gathering at the e.Builders Forum, we wanted to reflect on the shared experiences and knowledge gathered from 2023. Lessons from Last Year In April 2023, SourceLink held our much-anticipated SourceLink Summit in San Juan, Puerto Rico. We left the summit feeling excited, invigorated, a tiny bit exhausted, but thrilled...
Apr 30, 2024
Economic Development
Spring Cleaning for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Developers
Spring cleaning isn't just for closets and cobwebs. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are dynamic, and as they evolve, regular reevaluation—or "spring cleaning"—becomes essential to foster innovation, optimize resources, enhance competitiveness, and ensure sustained growth. Regular reevaluation is not merely about decluttering; it allows ecosystems to stay in sync with the changing business landscape and ensure their infrastructure...
Mar 29, 2024
Ecosystem Building
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation - March 2024
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation Recap General Announcements Rob Williams, SourceLink Director, started our March 7 SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation with several announcements. The National Urban League 2024 State of Black America report is out and has a clear call which resonates: “Defend Democracy, Demand Diversity and Defeat Poverty.” Building on this topic, we believe...
Mar 27, 2024
Economic Development
Understanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Measurement Part 4: Strategic Reporting
This four-part series addresses why tracking and measuring the activity of your entrepreneurial ecosystem is crucial to its long-term sustainability and the economic success of your community. Part 1 of this series covers why measurement is important, Part 2 discusses what to measure, Part 3 provided insights into how to measure, and Part 4 delves...
Feb 24, 2024
Ecosystem Building
Understanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Measurement Part 3: How to Measure
This four-part series addresses why tracking and measuring the activity of your entrepreneurial ecosystem is crucial to its long-term sustainability and the economic success of your community. Part 1 of this series covers why measurement is important, Part 2 discusses what to measure, Part 3 provides insights into how to measure, and Part 4 delves...
Jan 17, 2024
Network news
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation – December 2023
It’s a wrap, 2023! 2023 proved to be a productive year with an impressive list of accomplishments. SourceLink affiliated websites reached a major milestone with over 1 million pageviews across all business support platforms! Everyone contributed to this significant accomplishment and it is an incredible testament to everyone’s hard work! Congratulations to newly elected council...
Dec 19, 2023
Economic Development
Hands, Head, and Heart: Professional Development Opportunities for those in Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development and Ecosystem Building
When I started this work almost 20 years ago, very few entrepreneurship-led economic development, much less ecosystem building, resources or institutions existed for early practitioners to be able to tap into. Today, the environment is so much more robust, and frankly, exciting! From international associations picking up the mantle of entrepreneurship-led economic development to grassroots...
Nov 13, 2023
Economic Development
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation – September 2023
SourceLink Continues to Grow, Adding New Staff and Affiliates Welcome to our new SourceLink staff member, Solomon Lee. Solomon will serve as a project manager and brings considerable expertise to our team. Prior to joining SourceLink, Solomon was with Louisiana Economic Development, where he helped implement the Louisiana Business Hub platform statewide and across multiple...
Oct 24, 2023
Ecosystem Building
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation - June 2023
SourceLink Network News Rob kicked off our June SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation with exciting news from our network affiliates. NWI BizHub in Northwest Indiana received a grant from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) and MicroEnterprise of Inland SoCal received the 2023 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, a rating for nonprofit agencies...
Jul 21, 2023
Network news
SourceLink℠ Affiliate Quarterly Conversation – March 2023
Welcome to our newest affiliates! Rob kicked off our recent SourceLink℠ Affiliate Quarterly Conversation welcoming our newest affiliates to the network. They include: Louisiana Business Hub launched March 15 and will be deployed regionally. Two regions are already included, Launch Network and Capital Region. Seven more regions will be added in the coming year. Fairfax...
Mar 10, 2023
Entrepreneurship
Let’s Talk: Why Broadband is Critical Infrastructure for Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development
Access to affordable high-speed broadband is increasingly a top priority for economic and community development leaders. According to national research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center, a whopping 93% of today’s small business owners use at least one type of technology platform to help them with their business. It’s compelling evidence to...
Feb 17, 2023
Economic Development
National League of Cities Webinar Features Entrepreneur Focused Economic Development Solutions
Exciting conversations are happening in the economic development world! Thanks to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Center for City Solutions, supporters and visionaries can come together to explore groundbreaking ways of assessing citywide economic development in a webinar series. Through these webinars, thought leaders and dynamic guest speakers share innovative approaches they use to...
Jan 18, 2023