Enthusiasm Alone Won’t Build a Startup Hub

Every year, fresh faces jump into the startup community-building game, armed with passion, big ideas, and an unwavering belief that they can make their city the next great entrepreneurial hub. And you know what? We should welcome them. We should give them the benefit of the doubt. But—yes, there’s a but—enthusiasm alone isn’t enough.

I’ve seen it too many times. Someone new shows up, fired up about launching a new accelerator, starting a pitch competition, or raising a local venture fund. They throw themselves into the work, host a few events, get some early traction, and then… things stall. Why? Because passion alone doesn’t build a sustainable startup community.

So here’s my take: If you’re stepping up as a new community builder, I’ll back you. I’ll support your efforts. But I also expect you to do the work—not just the fun, visible parts, but the real work of learning how to build a long-term, founder-first ecosystem.

Startup community builders are, at their core, givers. They see the potential in their city and want to make it better for entrepreneurs. And that’s a beautiful thing.

The best startup communities thrive on authentic collaboration, shared networks, and a deep commitment to putting founders first.?

The problem arises when new builders operate in a vacuum, focusing on their own initiatives instead of plugging into what already exists.

That’s why the best new community builders don’t just bring passion; they bring curiosity. They ask:

• Who’s already doing this work?
• What’s been tried before? What worked? What didn’t?
• How can I augment what already exists?
• Who is my new partner/best friend who is in it for the long haul?

Here’s where things get messy. A new builder jumps in with an exciting idea—say, launching a citywide startup festival. They hustle to get sponsors, book speakers, and fill a venue. The event happens, people show up, and the builder feels like a hero.

But then, post-event, there’s no follow-up. No clear way for founders to stay engaged. No sustainable next steps. And worse, the builder burns out because they put all their energy into a one-time event instead of laying the foundation for ongoing support.

Startup communities are complex systems. They require long-term thinking, consistent engagement, and a deep understanding of how founders, investors, mentors, and institutions fit together. If you’re not willing to learn that, you’re not really a builder—you’re just a convener.

The best community builders approach this work with a “Give First” mindset. They’re not in it for credit, status, or personal gain. They’re here to serve.

If you’re new to this, ask yourself these simple questions:

• Are you willing to meet with founders before launching your big initiative?
• Are you open to feedback from those who’ve been doing this before you showed up?
• Are you committed to showing up consistently, even when it’s not glamorous?

If the answer is yes—welcome aboard. If not, it might be time to rethink your approach.

We need new community builders. We need fresh energy and bold ideas. But we also need them to respect the work that came before them and commit to learning what actually makes startup communities thrive.

So yes, I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. I’ll support your efforts. But I also expect you to earn the trust of your community—not by talking a big game, but by showing up, learning, and doing the real work of ecosystem building.