Right to Start

?? What if everyone had a fair chance to build their entrepreneurial dream? Too many aspiring entrepreneurs face “death by a thousand cuts”—burdensome red tape, restrictive tax policies, and limited access to capital, healthcare, and childcare. These systemic barriers don’t just stifle businesses; they stifle dreams, job creation, and economic prosperity for all. In the latest episode of UnLost Cause with David Niu, Victor W. Hwang, Founder and CEO of Right to Start, breaks down the hidden challenges entrepreneurs face and the urgent need to give everyone a fair shot at achieving their entrepreneurial dreams. From his own family's journey to his work in venture capital, Silicon Valley, and the Kauffman Foundation, Victor shares how we can all help build a world where everyone has the Right to Start. ?? Listen to the full episode and explore key takeaways: ?? https://lnkd.in/eF6b2VDP #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneur #LetUsStart

Check out the latest from our Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang!

Wrote a bit about last week at Midwest House. Thanks to Victor W. Hwang and JD Salinger for the inspiration. https://lnkd.in/gF6aNBzz

?? New Mexico Entrepreneurs – Share Your Stories and Meet Other Founders! ?? Entrepreneurship doesn't have to be lonely. Right to Start's New Mexico Starters Coalition is bringing together founders and entrepreneurs for an evening of networking, collaboration, and conversation around overcoming challenges at the Founders' Syndicate Mixer. Tag a founder, builder, or startup champion who should be there! ?? ?? March 27, 2025 ? 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM MDT ?? Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM (Mezzanine floor in the back) ?? https://lnkd.in/gMtHMSzE We’re here to listen, advocate, and help remove barriers so every entrepreneur in New Mexico has the chance to start and grow their entrepreneurial dreams. Looking forward to seeing you on March 27th! ?? Join the movement → Sign up for the virtual New Mexico coalition: https://lnkd.in/edpZCW7X #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneurship #NewMexico #Albuquerque #ABQ #RightToStart Catherine Read Courtney Zaugg, CEcD, EDP Lisa Kuuttila Alice Loy Anand Macherla

Our CEO, Sherrod Davis, unpacks why America’s entrepreneurs deserve better ecosystems in an Op-Ed featured in the Silicon Valley Business Journal. ? He leans on hard numbers: startups drove 26% of new jobs in 2023, and Right to Start data shows a 1% rise in entrepreneurship cuts poverty by 2%. That’s why 94% of Americans see founders as our economic backbone. But too many ecosystems still hand them outdated tools - think paper maps when they need Waze. ? Sherrod highlights what’s working. The Florida High Tech Corridor spans 23 counties, connecting founders to three major universities to turn local strengths into opportunities. Meanwhile, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) built a digital front door, powered by EcoMap, that welcomed 40,000+ entrepreneurs last year, from South Bend to Evansville, making resources easier to find. Sherrod’s piece digs into how ecosystems need to match entrepreneurs’ speed, not slow them down. Look at agriculture tech in Iowa, mining in Nevada, and aerospace in Washington. Local leaders are building on what’s already there. ? At EcoMap, we’re creating tech to map those paths, so founders spend less time lost and more time growing. Sherrod’s take is clear. When ecosystems work, communities win - whether times are tight or booming. ? Read his full piece: https://lnkd.in/eKC7kF7J

I had the chance to share some thoughts in the Silicon Valley Business Journal last week, looking at why entrepreneurs are America’s common ground, and how ecosystems should continue to elevate and amplify them.? ? Founders are the ones moving the needle, solving real, meaningful problems. They are one of the tides that lift all boats. Thanks to Right to Start and Victor W. Hwang, we know 94% of Americans call them essential. We need to get them what they need to grow, and I’ve seen it done well. ? The Florida High Tech Corridor spans 23 counties, tying founders to universities to build on what’s there. In Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) opened a digital front door (powered by EcoMap Technologies, Inc.) to 40,000+ entrepreneurs last year, making it easier for them to find what they need. ? Every place has its strengths. Ecosystems have to move at founders’ speed. Figuring out how to get this right for them is why we’re pushing hard to bring digital infrastructure to more ecosystems, so founders can move faster! Check it out and let me know what you think: https://lnkd.in/gAYyaFfS

Right to Start was recently cited in Silicon Valley Business Journal, in an op-ed written by EcoMap Technologies, Inc. co-founder and CEO Sherrod Davis: "An overwhelming 94% of Americans believe entrepreneurship is crucial for our nation’s future, according to Right to Start, a national organization championing entrepreneurship, which also found that for every 1% increase in entrepreneurship, states see a 2% drop in poverty rates. …. As Right to Start points out, unleashing the potential can require a dedicated office of entrepreneurship or a statewide innovation czar who is part of the governor’s cabinet to cut through the red tape, track progress and help evaluate what works in that specific environment." As Davis notes, "Following the news can be a dizzying reminder of the disagreements roiling our society. But, even when it seems like we can’t agree on anything, there’s one idea that seems to unite political parties, generations, states and local communities: the power of entrepreneurship." Read more here: https://lnkd.in/etVRH2W9 #BuildYourDreams #LetUsStart #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship isn’t just about starting a business—it’s about building a better future. The numbers don’t lie: people who start businesses earn higher lifetime incomes, including 10% higher salaries than other workers. Yet, so often we see entrepreneurship as an outlier, something “alternative.” In reality, it’s one of the most powerful ways to create long-term wealth and opportunity. If we want a stronger economy, we need to make it easier for everyone to start and grow. That means clearing the path—removing barriers, increasing access to capital, and recommending policy changes that fuel entrepreneurship at every level. Launching a business shouldn't feel like fighting gravity. It’s time to stop holding people back and start letting them build. Because when more people can succeed at building their entrepreneurial dreams, we all rise. To learn more, visit https://lnkd.in/guZjwV9B. #BuildYourDreams #LetUsStart #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship

?? Right to Start's mission is to help more people start more businesses, everywhere. This includes all types of businesses, freelancers, and independent contractors. We work to make it easier by recommending changes that leaders in every community can make, no matter if they're leading a town, a county, a state, or working at the federal level. ???? One of the changes we recommend is creating an Office of Entrepreneurship, so that everyone who wants to launch a business knows exactly where to go to get started. ?? How can this make a difference for your community? ?? Opening a restaurant in Boston takes 92 steps, 22 forms, 17 office visits, and $5,554 in 12 fees. It’s nearly just as bad in San Francisco, Detroit, Atlanta, and many other U.S. cities. The time is now to remove needless barriers to the American Dream. Read more from Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang and the Institute for Justice in Inc. Magazine here: https://lnkd.in/ekCQ7KBK ?? State governments are creating hubs with dedicated liaisons to make their entrepreneurial ecosystems more hospitable to new businesses. Read more from Chief Government Affairs Officer Jason Grill here: https://lnkd.in/eXqdAgb8 ? The KC BizCare Office, previously led by Nia Webster, is a powerful example making a huge impact. Read the article by Victor Hwang to find out how having an Office of Entrepreneurship can help business owners you know: https://lnkd.in/eeQwCvYV Want to learn more? Click here to stay on top of the latest data: https://lnkd.in/eNE4bdpA #BuildYourDreams #LetUsStart #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #KansasCity

"The more dysfunctional federal [dynamics are], the more interest there is in entrepreneurship," says ecosystem-building godfather Victor W. Hwang of Right to Start in his latest podcast with Technical.ly Watch/listen to the full episode, including this theme of why NOW is when focusing on entrepreneurship makes sense. Don't be distracted by intentional chaos, focus on the work https://lnkd.in/e5Ngv_Dp