Right to Start

?? Shoutout to Right to Start partner The University of New Mexico (UNM) for being recognized with the prestigious Innovation & Economic Prosperity Innovation Award by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)! ?? This award highlights UNM's outstanding efforts in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-driven economic development—a testament to their commitment to driving economic growth and supporting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem across New Mexico and beyond. Key achievements that earned UNM this recognition: ?? A multi-year campaign sharing resources and knowledge with entrepreneurs statewide. ?? Collaboration with civic and private sector partners to bolster a vibrant start-up ecosystem. ?? The New Mexico Tribal Entrepreneurship Enhancement Program, supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, addressing barriers, and mentoring nearly 60 individuals since its inception. ?? In 2021 alone, UNM-supported startups generated a $55.4 million economic impact. Lisa Kuuttila, CEO of UNM Rainforest Innovations, was quoted in the article, and said: "This award reflects the strength of our collaborative ecosystem, where research, entrepreneurship, and community engagement come together to create a lasting impact." ?? Cheers to UNM for setting a benchmark in economic engagement and paving the way for other institutions to follow! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eXUQGfJH

My fellow Right to Start Ambassador Cecilia Wessinger on how to approach building local entrepreneurial ecosystems:?"Think about what's important for your respective community….you get to choose what works for your community…" #ESOSummit2024

?? 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 everyone who wants to launch a business knows exactly where to go to get started. ???? The KC BizCare Office, led by Nia Richardson, is a powerful example making a huge impact. Read the article by Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang in Inc. Magazine below to find out how having an Office of Entrepreneurship in your community can help business owners you know. ?? ?? Read here: https://lnkd.in/eZJN96mq #BuildYourDreams #LetUsStart #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #KansasCity

?? Feel Good Friday! ?? Looking for news about something other than the election cycle? Watch as Right to Start Advocate Daymara Blanco Baker gives a Lucky Entrepreneur Coin to Allan Paulose of ARt deCentrale to show him that she supports his entrepreneurial dreams. Give a Lucky Entrepreneur Coin to someone you know today! https://lnkd.in/egsgm728 #BuildYourDreams #LetUsStart #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship

?? A Quiet Bipartisan Movement Is Growing Nationwide ?? On this Election Day, as Americans head to cast their votes, there’s a growing issue that is transcending political divides and bringing people together: supporting entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic empowerment. Read this groundbreaking article below by Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang, published recently in Inc. Magazine. ?? Right to Start's bipartisan poll shows a remarkable consensus: 94% of voters agree that fair opportunities to start and grow businesses are vital for America's future. This unity spans political lines, with 95% of Republicans, 95% of Independents, and 92% of Democrats in agreement. However, 92% of voters also believe it is difficult to start and grow a new business. (Read more about Right to Start's bipartisan poll at https://lnkd.in/eKHUhpuy.) ?? "A quiet bipartisan movement is growing nationwide that is advancing entrepreneurship as a way to reduce a widespread sense of powerlessness and frustration among Americans who believe they are no longer in control of their economic futures," writes Victor. "Entrepreneurship has the power to change that." ?? As a result, things are starting to change. Increasingly, Americans are taking bipartisan action to advance entrepreneurship at the state level. Last summer, Nevada became the first state in the nation to enact a Right to Start Act, legislation that implements pro-entrepreneur policy recommendations of Right to Start. ?? Nevada's action sparked momentum that is now growing across the nation in support of Right to Start's policy recommendations, from New Mexico to Kansas. This includes the most recent Missouri Right to Start Act, which was enacted in July 2024. ?? Victor notes, "These changes reflect quiet bipartisan momentum that is growing below the surface, barely audible through the noise of partisan polarization. Americans want the opportunity to create their own futures -- through the building of businesses -- and know that polarization will not get them there." ?? Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eq5kapas #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #entrepreneurship #entrepreneur

This week, Right to Start's Director of Field and Campaign Strategy, Catherine Read, attended two remarkable gatherings that showcased the power of community-driven entrepreneurship. First, at the Make Startups Annual Retreat in Sonoma County, Catherine led an impactful fireside chat with Kyeema Peart (née Zerbe), sparking deep and meaningful discussions on how to create a more supportive environment for entrepreneurs in any community. It was a powerful exploration of balancing economic vitality with a commitment to community. Following the retreat, Catherine joined changemakers at the Startup Champions Network’s 2024 Fall Ecosystem Builder Summit in the Bay Area. The Summit’s theme, Building Community Power, underscored the potential for a unified, regenerative ecosystem that bridges efforts across a region. Together, these conversations are fueling a future where entrepreneurship serves as a force for change that can give more people the opportunity to build their entrepreneurial dreams. Photo credit: Eric Parker, AIA #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship

Do you know the correct answer? Learn more here! https://lnkd.in/eMsscV-g #LetUsStart #BuildYour Dreams #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship

So great to be a part of this rich and essential conversation nationally! From coast to coast, there are so many learnings we can contribute to one another for resource sharing, partner building and fundraising - not to mention thornier issues of regulatory enhancement or increased inclusivity in all our operations. Thank you InBIA, International Business Innovation Association and Right to Start for the chance to learn and share together, and make new friends. The Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) is richer for it. See you all again, soon!

Great to be in Los Angeles with dear friend - and now colleague - Victor Hwang to talk about our work at Right to Start (which Victor founded) and see some of LA too. Kicked it off at the Grammy Museum with a performance by Vampire Weekend. Having a meeting at The Last Bookstore in downtown LA was especially cool too.

?? Did you know that all net new jobs in the U.S. come from businesses less than five years old? Yet, many systems still make it harder for these job creators to thrive. These businesses don’t just create jobs—they boost GDP, lower inequality, grow community wealth, and reduce poverty. That’s why we’re on a mission to change policies, shift mindsets, and build communities where anyone can grow their entrepreneurial dreams. ?? At the recent InBIA, International Business Innovation Association conference, our Chief Government Affairs Officer Jason Grill showcased how innovative states and cities are leading the charge in empowering entrepreneurs. He was joined by Kyeema Peart (née Zerbe), Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship at Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), and Nia Richardson, Managing Director of The KC BizCare Office in Kansas City, Missouri. Together, Jason, Kyeema, and Nia shared how local leaders are cutting through red tape, aligning critical policies, and zeroing in on the metrics that truly make a difference for entrepreneurs. It was a powerful discussion about the future of entrepreneurship—and how we can create more opportunities for everyone. For more on Right to Start's policy recommendations to help new and young businesses, visit our Field Guides here: https://lnkd.in/eaDQSbQ4 #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship