News for Ecosystem Builders
SCN Policy Summit: June 7-8, Washington D.C.
Our first Policy Summit will take place in Washington D.C., June 7-8. Led by our Board of Directors, this Summit is different from our normal summit programs. Expect to hear partner organizations who are part of the national, state, and local policy and advocacy efforts and learn how you can become an agent for policy change in your ecosystem. Also, expect to hear from Federal agency champions who are weaving entrepreneurial ecosystem building concepts into their programs that result in procurement and contract opportunities for you! Don’t worry; we’ll still keep some of your favorite SCN Summit activities. But alongside some new ones, too. Check out what’s in store and register here.?
Meet SCN’s New Board Chair, Mark Lawrence
Mark has been leading inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem building projects for 10+ years and is making sustainability of ecosystem building as a profession his priority. Get a glimpse at his goals for the future of SCN, ecosystem building as a profession, and the upcoming Policy Summit.
Storytelling that Supports Entrepreneurship
When we think of ecosystem builders, we think of connectors, ESOs, investors, and coworking space owners... but what about the storytellers? Their role is vital to growing the ecosystem. We asked some of the most prolific storytelling ecosystem builders in SCN to share their advice and insights. Here’s what they had to offer.
Upcoming Events
There are perks to being a member of Startup Champions Network! Like discounts to the Summit and invites to exclusive membership events.
Ecosystem Building Work from Across the Country
Trey Bowles // Fort Worth, Texas
One of the startups that went through the inaugural Techstars Fort Worth accelerator program for entrepreneurs in physical health was featured in an article. We heard from Trey at the Fort Worth Summit on his vision to make Fort Worth a hub for Physical Health innovations. It's exciting to now see storytelling around the program and its startups. Read the article.
Debbie Irwin, Ryan Hall, Nick Koger, Anika Horn // Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
February 2023 marks Shenandoah Community Capital Foundation's 15th Anniversary! Over the past 15 years the organization has grown and adapted with the ecosystem to help serve over 1500 entrepreneurs in the Shenandoah Valley. Read Debbie Irwin’s letter to the community here.
领英推荐
Linda Olson // Tampa, Florida
Linda Olson has been building a strong innovation ecosystem around tech in the Tampa Bay, Florida area. Her company, Tampa Bay Wave just launched a new LatinTech Accelerator that was recently featured with a great story on one of its founders. Read the article here.
Ben Ihde // Minneapolis Saint Paul Region
Congrats to the team at Forge North on their recent EDA investment announcement! The $300k grant will help fund the Forge North Angel Activation Campaign to jointly engage and recruit Minnesotans to invest in startups. Read about it here.??
Diana Wright // Des Moines, Iowa
Diana was recently honored as a Top 40 Under 40 by the Business Record in Des Moines!
Good Reads/Resources
How to Build an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
If you are new to entrepreneurial ecosystem building, here's a great primer via CO.STARTERS to get you started.
The Black Economic Renaissance: History in the Making
SCN Member and Forward Cities CEO, Fay Horwitt, is flipping the narrative of Black History Month to uplift the economic history of Blacks and their impact on our national economy. ALL parts of it. Her blog post is a must read.
Grant Opportunity
Fearless Fund and the Tory Burch Foundation opened applications for the third cohort of the Women of Color Grant Program. The program will award 75 women of color-owned small businesses with $10,000 and $20,000 grants, access to a self-paced learning portal and peer-to-peer community networking. Details here.
Who’s Hiring?
Startup Colorado: Ecosystem Development Director
Peoples Advantage Credit Union: Chief Financial Officer
Shenandoah Community Capital Fund: Finance Navigator
Shenandoah Community Capital Fund: Program Manager