What are the best ways to promote entrepreneurship ecosystems and networks regionally?

Having actively contributed to fostering entrepreneurship ecosystems in Asia, I emphasize the significance of building strong relationships and trust with stakeholders. In this region, particularly, investing time in these connections is crucial. Treating partners as equals is essential for success. A thriving ecosystem not only aids local startups in regional growth but also supports regional startups in establishing a base within its hub. It's a reciprocal relationship that forms the core of a successful entrepreneurship network.

Build it local & hear it Global!! Most of us Entrepreneurs make the mistake of building & testing the product globally before they test regionally Understanding the regional markets will give you broader perspective about the field Organise Marketing Campaigns with unique strategies that attracts your target audience Make most use of the Online & AI Once you're done, you are ready-to-go & explore International markets Without having a clue in regional Markets, your road will be difficult to drive your Car..

Creating thriving local entrepreneurship hubs is like planting seeds for a vibrant garden. Define the vision and goals. Picture what success looks like for your community – more startups, jobs, or innovation. Set clear goals; it's like giving your garden a purpose. Whether it's fostering creativity or boosting local businesses, knowing where you're headed is key.

Develop entrepreneurship ecosystems at the regional level through events, collaboration among startups and mentorship. Subscribe to local initiatives, promote knowledge sharing and engage with policymakers. These vibrant networks enhance innovation, attract talent and stimulate regional economic growth.

When fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, clearly define goals that align with local needs. Identify key metrics to measure impact and progress. A vision statement not only guides but also attracts engaged partners and supporters.

To promote regional entrepreneurship ecosystems, start by defining and mapping them. Identify key elements like government, universities, research centers, corporates, financial institutions, existing entrepreneurs, and investors. Understanding connections and nodes helps pinpoint strengths and key ecosystem shapers. Engage these influencers in shaping the ecosystem's future. Look to successful examples in similar markets for patterns in ecosystem development. Learning from these models can guide effective strategies for regional growth and innovation.

I had the chance to contribute in building the first Tunisian ecosystem mapping back in 2016. This exercise taught a lot about the sanity of the startup environment in the country. While the objective was to bridge the gap between SSOs and startups and provide a reliable source of information, the project became later on the go to place for data and insights on the ecosystem. Many players used the reports to design and plan their interventions.

Vá até onde as pessoas est?o. Como líder em um ecossistema, você deve garantir a expans?o e perenidade da rede. Eu costumo dizer que no Brasil a classe média já foi atingida com conceitos básicos de empreendedorismo e inova??o e a penetra??o das startups no cotidiano das pessoas é uma realidade. No entanto, temos poucos empreendedores de sucesso que vieram de classes menos abastadas. Um ecossistema n?o pode ignorar a necessidade de encontrar as pessoas comuns. Isso se traduz em sair dos prédios espelhados dos grandes centros e ir até o interior e a periferia das cidades, levando as pessoas com conteúdos e histórias inspiradoras.

Mapping existing assets and gaps is vital in developing an entrepreneurship ecosystem. Identify regional strengths like physical infrastructure, human capital, financial resources, cultural norms, policies, and institutions. Equally important is recognizing gaps like limited access, awareness, skills, diversity, or quality in these areas. This mapping process highlights the ecosystem's strengths and weaknesses, alongside opportunities and challenges. It guides strategic planning, helping leverage strengths and address gaps for a more robust entrepreneurial environment.

To effectively promote entrepreneurship ecosystems and networks regionally: Map out the robust networks, skilled individuals, and supportive infrastructure you have. Pinpoint areas where you are lacking resources, mentorship, or connectivity.

Um mapeamento dos atores locais, com suas ofertas e necessidades, que seja organico e colaborativo e de fácil acesso - essa fotografia descerra muitas possibilidades, para além de um ecossistema, favorecendo a cria??o de um organismo econ?mico local. E você, pensando localmente, conhece e faz parte desse organismo? --- A mapping of local actors, with their offers and needs, that is organic and collaborative and easily accessible - this photograph reveals many possibilities, in addition to an ecosystem, favoring the creation of a local economic organism. And you, thinking locally, do you know and are part of this organization?

Viewing entrepreneurial ecosystems and regional innovation systems as complex (adaptive) systems helps to see that these systems exhibit coevolutionary dynamics at the core (i.e., antagonistic/mutualistic, competitive/cooperative, etc.) that cannot “directly” be managed but are amenable to some influence by means of intermediary actors (and systems entrepreneurs). There are various tools to “govern” the collaborative relationships of organizations with the wider (eco)system in a polycentric way, including tools that build on and extend the work by Nobel laureate Elinor Ostrom.

A few practical suggestions to build / strengthen a network via a WhatsApp group: 1. Find a uniting topic and create a value-adding WhatsApp group around it (local university tech alumni, Founders @ your city, Sales masters etc. ). 2. Find a few influential leaders in this group who can share valuable resources / insights to get the group more engaged. 3. Make sure to address questions / requests for help from group members. 4. Suggest an in-person meet up after a few weeks. I found that people are generally inclined to support others and that these groups can be extremely useful.

This is what builds trust: - Transparency. - Openness. - Consistent communication. Here is how to collaborate: - Encourage cross-pollination of ideas through events, workshops, and networking opportunities.

Businesses need capital! Open doors, closed to underseved groups. Add your mentorship and expertise to help make more businesses fundable. See a poorly designed pitch deck? Offer assistance. Have a connection that can open a door to better resources? Make that intro. Have funds to invest? Donate to a local CDFI like Ventures Nonprofit or an Angel Investor group like Fbomb Angels.

Fuja dos manuais e identifique as dores reais dos empreendedores, a partir disso crie programas que se conectam fazendo sentido e cobrindo a jornada completa dos empreendimentos, founders e times que seu ecossistema apoia.

Developing a strong ecosystem for entrepreneurship needs careful planning and continuous adaptation. To ensure effectiveness and significance, regular monitoring and assessment are essential. It is important to have a culture of learning from various ideas and best practices since it can improve the ecosystem in our community. The key to long-term success is being adaptable and quick to take new chances and overcome difficulties.

Adapting and evolving is key in nurturing an entrepreneurship ecosystem. Regularly monitor and evaluate activities and outcomes to discern what's effective. Be open to learning from best practices and innovations in other regions and sectors. This enhances your ecosystem's capabilities. Maintain flexibility and agility to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges. This continuous evolution ensures your ecosystem stays relevant and effective, meeting the changing needs of entrepreneurs and the regional environment.

I find it interesting how contradictory the statements are. While I agree with the need for dynamic capabilities, adaptive capacity, and a flexible and agile approach within organizations, there usually is no “central planner” that directs or “manages” the entrepreneurial ecosystem. As we know from decades of work on regional innovation systems or the geography of innovation more broadly, regional characteristics and specificities differ such that innovation and entrepreneurship is highly contingent on the regional context. Without repeating myself too much, I don’t see much value in recommending learning from “best practices” here, as long as we are not perfectly certain that our entrepreneurial ecosystem is ordered and simple (doubtful).

I agree with Raven's comments below. I would just add that a key strategy is fostering partnerships with local educational institutions, businesses, and government entities (as mentioned). These partnerships can facilitate the sharing of resources, expertise, and funding, creating a more robust support system for entrepreneurs. Hosting and participating in regional events, workshops, and conferences can also play a crucial role in strengthening these networks. Also, highlighting success stories within the region through various media channels can boost local entrepreneurial spirit and attract external interest and investment. This approach not only strengthens the regional ecosystem but also positions it prominently on a larger scale.

While this article seems geared towards ecosystem leaders, it's important to acknowledge the role entrepreneurs play in promoting and growing their local ecosystems. This can be achieved by getting actively involved and engaged, connecting with resources like the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Chamber of Commerce, attending events, and building a network. By gaining a deeper understanding of the ecosystem and sharing authentic experiences and recommendations, entrepreneurs can contribute to a thriving, connected community that supports the ecosystem's growth and expansion. Therefore, getting plugged in is a crucial first step for entrepreneurs looking to make a positive impact on their local entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Leve em considera??o as diferen?as de cultura regionais. Programas e eventos que d?o certo em grandes centros podem ter que ser adaptados às dores, recursos e cultura local.

One more thing that I'd like to add, which does not really fit (just) one of the other categories and could be considered an overarching issue, is the general question of power (and the resulting responsibility) that is frequently neglected or at least not directly addressed: Who has the power to actually facilitate and promote ecosystems regionally? Which public actors and governance levels have the most influence / power - and in which regard? What is their jurisdiction? There is much talk also among politicians (and their consultants) of an "entrepreneurial state"—but, depending on the country, we might end up with nested levels and layers of entrepreneurial state-like actors (from municipalities and cities to (federal) states etc.)...

As someone who is part of several networks, and have been heavily engaged with various entrepreneurial ecosystems within MENA and Europe I advocate for promoting success stories and achievements of entrepreneurs and local startups through marketing campaigns, media coverage, and awards to showcase the region's strengths, resources, and opportunities. This attracts talent, investors, and potential partners as it reflects the capabilities of the ecosystem and the potential within.