Podcasts about ecosystem building

Would you be able to describe what a semiconductor is?A lot of us probably can't, but they're essential to modern life as we know it. Today, we're headed to NeoCity and the Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine to talk with CEO Tawny Olore. This Regional Innovation Engine, funded by the US National Science Foundation, is taking on the major project of developing an ecosystem for producing semiconductors in central Florida that can be translated to other regions.In our conversation, Tawny explains what semiconductors are, how they impact all of our lives, and why building semiconductor ecosystems isn't just a matter of economics, but one of national security. Tawny Olore serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the NSF Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation Engine, where she is responsible for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in Central Florida that can translate to other regions in the United States. Prior to her role, Tawny served as Osceola County's Deputy County Manager, responsible for the oversight and management of the Transportation and Transit, Public Works, Real Estate and Right of Way, and Information Technology departments. She has also served as Program Manager for the FDOT Rail Transit program for District Five, specifically managing all aspects of SunRail, Central Florida's Commuter Rail project – a 61-mile system with 12 stations traversing through a multiple of jurisdictions including four counties and 11 cities.Listen to the full episode to hear:How advanced packaging of semiconductors drives innovation in everything from healthcare to home electronicsHow the Semiconductor Innovation Engine will bring high-wage jobs to an area historically driven by tourismHow the supply chain issues of the pandemic highlighted the need to bring semiconductor production to the US The key partners across research, education, and economic development that have joined the engineHow research and development in partnership with the engine will drive innovation in other sectors like supercomputing and data centersHow the engine will measure their success in the region from creating jobs to cutting commute times Learn more about Tawny Olore, P.E.:Central Florida Semiconductor Innovation EngineConnect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:Brookings MetroOsceola County Commission to Work with South Korean Firm to Bring Hundreds More Jobs to NeoCityPlug and Play NeoCity | Corporate InnovationELSPESThe Builder PlatformChip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, Chris Miller 

Beer that’s actually good for your gut? Sounds like a dream — but it’s real, and it’s brewed right here in Singapore. The Breakfast Show cracks open the story behind Probicient, the startup that created the world’s first probiotic beer — a refreshing craft brew packed with billions of live probiotics, designed to taste great and support your digestion with Dr Chen Dai, Chief Technology Officer, Probicient and Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building), NUS Enterprise. They also discuss the role NUS Enterprise plays in nurturing, supporting, and scaling local innovations like this to make waves both locally and globally. Presented by: Ryan Huang Edited by: Chua Meng Choon Picture credits: ProbicientSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Highlights from this week's conversation include:Differences Between Canada and the US (1:17)Canadian Ecosystem Growth (3:32)LP Network Composition (4:36)Gap in Corporate Investment (8:12)Paula's Journey at BDC Capital (10:54)Government Support for VC (14:05)Advice for Attracting Capital (18:56)Venture Ecosystem Growth in Canada (22:08)Insider Segment: Evolving Role of Legal Counsel (24:57)Impact of Legal Partnership (29:01)Measuring Success in Ecosystem Building (30:34)The Camel Metaphor (34:48)Challenges in Scaling (37:24)Resilience in Funding (39:49)Investment Criteria for Canadian Funds (42:36)Advice for Investing in Canada (46:08)Final Thoughts and Takeaways (47:39)BDC Capital is the investment arm of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), dedicated to supporting Canada's most innovative companies and building a thriving venture ecosystem. Through strategic investments and partnerships, BDC Capital balances financial returns with a mandate to foster long-term growth and inclusion in Canada's economy.https://www.bdc.ca/Sidley Austin LLP is a premier global law firm with a dedicated Venture Funds practice, advising top venture capital firms, institutional investors, and private equity sponsors on fund formation, investment structuring, and regulatory compliance. With deep expertise across private markets, Sidley provides strategic legal counsel to help funds scale effectively. Learn more at sidley.com.Swimming with Allocators is a podcast that dives into the intriguing world of Venture Capital from an LP (Limited Partner) perspective. Hosts Alexa Binns and Earnest Sweat are seasoned professionals who have donned various hats in the VC ecosystem. Each episode, we explore where the future opportunities lie in the VC landscape with insights from top LPs on their investment strategies and industry experts shedding light on emerging trends and technologies. The information provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this podcast are for general informational purposes only.

Fresh water is a vital resource for life on earth, and it plays an increasingly important role in developing technologies like AI, quantum computing, and the data centers on which both rely.Managing access, use, and waste will only become more pressing as industry and communities continue to compete for water resources.So it makes sense that the Great Lakes, which hold 20% of the world's fresh surface water, are the site of our first Regional Regional Innovation Engine, funded by the National Science Foundation through the NSF Engines Program.Today, we're headed to Chicago to talk to Alaina Harkness of Great Lakes ReNEW about how this ecosystem is leading efforts across the Great Lakes region to bring stakeholders together, transition to a circular water economy, and protect and steward the Great Lakes for generations to come. Alaina Harkness is the CEO of Chicago-based water innovation hub, Current, and the CEO and Principal Investigator of their NSF-funded Great Lakes Water Innovation Engine: Great Lakes ReNEW. She's an entrepreneurial leader and lifelong Great Lakes resident who has spent her career seeking ways to build more inclusive economies and resilient communities. Outside the office, you can often find her on or near Lake Michigan, where she enjoys sailing, swimming, and birding in the parks near her South Side home.Listen to the full episode to hear:How conventional delivery and treatment systems have rendered water usage invisible to too manyHow developing water reuse systems benefits both the humans and the industry that rely on freshwaterHow Great Lakes ReNEW is building an extensive coalition to balance economic and environmental factors around water use in the region, develop new circular water technologiesThe challenges and opportunities of building the “blue economy” and how Great Lakes ReNEW will measure their impact and successLearn more about Alaina Harkness:Great Lakes ReNEWConnect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:The Fundamental Molecule PodcastJunhong ChenCollective Impact

How do we make our communities more resilient to extreme weather events? How do we become smarter about using and recycling water, one of the most precious resources on our planet? And how can we turn the textile industry into a more circular and sustainable economy that reduces waste and develops new fibers and materials?Welcome to season seven of Ecosystems for Change, where I'll be talking with the innovators and changemakers tackling these kinds of complex issues, not just within their own communities, but for the world at large.Throughout this season, I'm going to introduce you to the Regional Innovation Engines Program, a program funded by the US National Science Foundation. In partnership with the Builder Platform I will highlight nine so-called Engines, and their place-based strategies to these wicked problems.To start us off, I sat down with three key players in the implementation of this nationwide program: Ben Downing, Patricia Grospiron, and Emily Knight.Ben Downing is Vice President of Public Affairs at The Engine. Before joining The Engine, Ben was Vice President for New Market Development at Nexamp, a veteran-founded, Boston-based clean energy company. Prior to this, Ben represented the state's largest Senate district while serving as State Senator for 52 communities in Western Massachusetts. Patricia Grospiron is the Executive Director of The Builder Platform, where she is responsible for leading the strategic direction to foster the development of the NSF Regional Innovation Engines. Patricia has several decades of experience in innovation ecosystem building thanks to her roles at Avery Dennison, JumpStart, Inc and Ohio Aerospace Institute. Emily Knight is the President of The Engine, where she is responsible for shaping the organization's strategic direction and building partnerships with industry leaders and educational institutions to foster an environment where Tough Tech teams can thrive and innovate. Listen to the full episode to hear:How the NSF funding is acting as a catalyst for innovative, place-based economic development while tackling some of our thorniest problemsWhy the program is committed to innovation that supports communities from withinHow The Builder Platform developed a human-centered approach to engaging with the NSF Engines and providing ongoing partnership and supportHow The Engine's experience and history helps them collaborate with the regional EnginesWhy learning together, collaboration, and flexibility are key to developing in-place innovationLearn more about Ben Downing:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Patricia Grospiron:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Emily Knight:Connect on LinkedInLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for Impact CuratorInstagram: @socialventurersResources:The EngineThe Builder PlatformInsisting on the Impossible: The Life of Edwin Land, Viktor K. McElhenyLean Launchpad, Steve BlankWatt It Takes with Emily KirschThe Rise of the Rest: How Entrepreneurs in Surprising Places Are Building the New American Dream, Steve Case

Follow Building in Public Podcast: https://x.com/builtnpublicpodConnor sits down with Evan Tong from Monad to discuss the evolving intersection of crypto and AI agents. They explore how agents could become the new websites, democratizing digital interactions much like WordPress did for website creation. Evan highlights Monad's mission to build a high-performance, EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain, enabling smoother experiences for developers and users. The conversation delves into the importance of parallel execution environments for multi-agent systems, predicting a future with billions of on-chain agents before billions of human users. They also discuss the role of ecosystem building, flexibility in adapting to the crypto industry's rapid changes, and supporting founders and innovative projects. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction00:33 - Exploring AI-Driven User Experiences in Crypto08:19 - Performance and Compatibility in the EVM 11:36 - Lessons in Ecosystem Building in Crypto14:42 - Comparing Early Blockchain Experiences16:13 - Bringing Professional Standards to Crypto18:47 - Building a Founder-Friendly Ecosystem at Monad20:35 - Innovations in DeFi, Consumer Tech, and AI25:26 - Engaging Founders and CommunitiesDisclaimer: The hosts and the firms they represent may hold stakes in the companies mentioned in this podcast. None of this is financial advice.

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Somnath Chatterjee, a global leader in AI, Intelligent Platforms, Preventive Healthcare, and Ecosystem Building. With experience across 40+ countries, he has pioneered strategic alliances and business transformation in emerging technologies. In this interview, we'll also discuss the upcoming CWC Senior Track webinar on February 20, focusing on the crucial need for nursing services in elderly care. Stay tuned for valuable insights! Tune in to TALRadio English on Spotify and Apple Podcast !Host : SandyGuest : Somnath ChatterjeeYou Can Reach Somnath @linkedin.com/in/somnathprofile#TALRadioEnglish #Leadership #AI #Innovation #TechTransformation #DigitalFuture #IoT #HealthcareTech #EcosystemBuilding #BusinessGrowth #TouchALife #TALRadio

In This Episode This week on Breaking Banks, we take you inside fintechXchange, hosted by the Stena Center for Financial Technology at the University of Utah. As a proud media partner of the event, we explore how industry, academia, and policymakers are coming together to drive the future of financial services.Host Jason Henrichs sits down with Meghan Kober, VP of Fintech Partnerships & Investments at U.S. Bank, Taylor Randall, President of the University of Utah, and Ryan Christiansen, Executive Director of the Stena Center for Financial Technology. Together, they discuss the power of ecosystem building, highlighting the incredible human capital fueling innovation: VCs, startups, and institutions of all sizes collaborating to shape the next wave of fintech growth and banking transformation. Then, it's time for the first Hot Takes of 2025, recorded live from 'Silicon Slopes'! Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly) are back in the hot seats with Jason Henrichs to break down the latest fintech headlines with sharp insights and no-holds-barred opinions. They dive into: The latest in open banking, the CFPB and regulation The fate of BaaS Island, Synapse, and Patriot Bank's BSA & AML challenges What really is possible with bankruptcy proceedings and what does it mean for fintech's future This episode is packed with insight, energy, and hard-hitting discussions you won't want to miss!

This week on Breaking Banks, we take you inside fintechXchange, hosted by the Stena Center for Financial Technology at the University of Utah. As a proud media partner of the event, we explore how industry, academia, and policymakers are coming together to drive the future of financial services.Host Jason Henrichs sits down with Meghan Kober, VP of Fintech Partnerships & Investments at U.S. Bank, Taylor Randall, President of the University of Utah, and Ryan Christiansen, Executive Director of the Stena Center for Financial Technology. Together, they discuss the power of ecosystem building, highlighting the incredible human capital fueling innovation: VCs, startups, and institutions of all sizes collaborating to shape the next wave of fintech growth and banking transformation. Then, it's time for the first Hot Takes of 2025, recorded live from 'Silicon Slopes'! Alex Johnson (Fintech Takes) and Jason Mikula (Fintech Business Weekly) are back in the hot seats with Jason Henrichs to break down the latest fintech headlines with sharp insights and no-holds-barred opinions. They dive into: The latest in open banking, the CFPB and regulation The fate of BaaS Island, Synapse, and Patriot Bank's BSA & AML challenges What really is possible with bankruptcy proceedings and what does it mean for fintech's future This episode is packed with insight, energy, and hard-hitting discussions you won't want to miss! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ-bdJNLu60

Water scarcity, food insecurity, and wasteful textile supply chains are major societal challenges with no easy solutions. But some of the nation's leading scientists, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs are committed to tackling these problems.In Season 7 of Ecosystems for Change, I'm going to introduce you to nine different innovation ecosystems who are solving some of our most pressing societal issues in real-time. With help from The Builder Platform, I'm taking you inside the ecosystems working to develop real-world solutions to make our communities more resilient, drive regional engagement, and create economic opportunity along the way.You'll learn how these Regional Innovation Engines build ecosystems grounded in research and innovation. You'll see firsthand how these pioneers help turn ideas into practical applications that can benefit millions of people in the US and beyond. Innovation in a box doesn't work. In this season, we'll find out what does. Resources:Sign up for the Innovation Ecosystems newsletterThe Builder PlatformLearn more about Anika Horn:Social VenturersSign up for the Impact Curator newsletterInstagram: @socialventurers

The AI Battle Mirrors Past Format Wars “History never repeats itself, but it does often rhyme.” — Mark Twain [TLDR: This week's Thursday Thought explores the ongoing battle for AI dominance among tech giants like OpenAI, Anthropic, X, Google, and Microsoft, drawing parallels to historic format wars that have shaped various industries. From the iconic VHS vs. Betamax struggle to the intense competition between gaming consoles like PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, and the enduring rivalry between iPhone and Android, these conflicts reveal a recurring pattern. As AI companies follow similar paths, it's clear that, while technology evolves, the strategic dynamics remain strikingly similar.] The current battle for dominance between tech giants like OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and Microsoft is not just a race to the top — it's a modern-day format war. By examining the patterns of previous technology battles, we can gain insight into how this AI competition is likely to play out. Three key patterns emerge from past format battles that are now being mirrored in the AI space: The Power of Network Effects: Just like previous format wars, the AI battle will be heavily influenced by network effects. (A network effect occurs when a product or service becomes more valuable as more people use it, creating a positive feedback loop that can lead to rapid growth and market dominance.) The Underdog Advantage: History has shown that the winner is often not the one everyone expects — not the biggest company or even the best product. Early market leaders may fall behind as more adaptable or better-networked competitors take the lead. Ecosystem Building is Key: The final battleground is not just the technology itself, but the entire ecosystem built around it. Companies that successfully create a thriving ecosystem of developers, partners, and content will probably emerge as the ultimate winners. To understand these dynamics better, let's revisit three strategic battles that shaped the technology landscape: the VCR format war, the console wars, and the smartphone OS wars. Each of these battles offers valuable lessons for understanding the current AI competition. The VCR War: A Template for Format Battles (The also-rans in the VCR war (that I know of) included Philips and Grundig's Video 2000 (V2000), and RCA's Capacitance Electronic Disc (CED). The videotape format war between VHS and Betamax in the late 20th century stands as one of the most emblematic battles over technological dominance. Introduced in the mid-1970s, Sony's Betamax initially captivated the market with its superior video quality and compact design. However, JVC's VHS, which entered the market shortly after, quickly emerged as a formidable competitor by addressing consumer needs more effectively with longer recording times — up to two hours initially, which was soon extended to four, six, and even eight hours as the technology developed. The success of VHS was not solely because of its technical merits. JVC employed a strategic approach by licensing its VHS technology to an array of manufacturers, including heavyweights like Panasonic, Sharp, and RCA. This move flooded the market with VHS players, making the format more accessible to the average consumer. To further tip the scale in their favour, during the mid-1970s JVC established VCR supply relationships with leading national consumer electronics companies in Europe and the United States. In supplying Thomson, Thorn, and Telefunken (all independent companies at that time) as well as U.S. partners, JVC was able to gain the cash and the diversity of market experience that ultimately enabled it to outpace Philips and Sony. Philips developed videotape competencies in parallel with JVC, but it failed to build a worldwide network of OEM relationships that would have allowed it to accelerate the refinement of its videotape competence through the sale of core products. According to , by the...

Tune in as Nikki Le breaks down how to build a thriving compensation ecosystem, from pay structures to benefits, to attract and retain top salon talent.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Just as Optimus Prime leads the Autobots with intelligence and adaptability, one startup, Tech Up Advance is transforming the educational landscape with its innovative gamified robotics tool, GoTechUp. This platform empowers educators to engage students in STEM learning, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications. With the support of NUS Enterprise, which fosters innovation and entrepreneurship in education, Tech Up Advance is not only enhancing learning experiences but also preparing the next generation for a future where technology and creativity go hand in hand. How are these advancements shaping the future of STEM education? We find out more when we speak with Sulfya Lim, Founder, TechUp Advance & Brian Koh, Director BLOCK71 SEA & Business Development, Ecosystem Building, NUS Enterprise.   Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Health-tech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore has positioned itself as a hub for deep tech ventures, leveraging its knowledge-intensive economy and world-class research institutions. Skilled deep tech entrepreneurs receive increased support through grants, subsidies and investments.  On Industry Insight, Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building) at the National University of Singapore, who has founded and sold a medtech startup, sheds more light on Singapore's deep tech innovation and investment landscape and the current state of Singapore's deep tech start-up ecosystem.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Ben Soltoff, Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) and the Ecosystem-Builder in Residence at the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship [@EshipMIT]On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-soltoff/On Twitter | https://twitter.com/bensoltoffHosts: Alejandro Juárez CrawfordOn ITSPmagazine  

Dennis is joined by Dell Gines, the Chief Innovation Officer of the International Economic Development Council. They discuss the upcoming IEDC annual conference, which will be held in Denver from September 15-18, 2024. Early Bird Registration Deadline ends July 26th.  Discover The Mile High City Calling all changemakers, visionaries, influencers, disruptors, and developers, the 2024 IEDC Annual Conference awaits! Your community, region, country, and world need you in Denver, CO, September 15-18, to join forces with thousands of economic development practitioners and thought leaders from around the globe as we celebrate and champion the unsung heroes of economic development. This year's conference is more than just one of our standard gatherings; it's the premier platform to flip the script and transform our profession into one of the world's most recognized, understood, and attractive industries. By spotlighting the innovative work of economic development superheroes, we aim to inspire and equip you with the tools and knowledge to drive positive change and innovation in your community. This is your team's opportunity to unleash your inner economic development superheroes and elevate the economic development profession to new heights in the Mile High City. Conference Theme: Championing Economic Development Superheroes  The conference will explore the following tracks: Marketing and Telling Our Stories Talent and Workforce Strategies Solving the Housing Crisis Climate Change and Sustainability Rural Prosperity Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Building    

Jason Wojo: Founder and CEO of Wojo Media, a visionary behind scaling over a thousand businesses to six figures and 58 businesses to eight figures. Introduction Jake and Gino introduce the episode with their usual banter, discussing the New York to Florida connection and their guest, Jason Wojo.Jason's JourneyJason shares his story of starting as a high school student working in a café to founding Wojo Media. He discusses his challenges, including a revoked basketball scholarship and a stint in culinary school.From Culinary School to Entrepreneurship Jason talks about his transition from culinary school to eBay flipping and eventually discovering Ty Lopez's course on social media marketing.The Struggles and LessonsJason shares his struggles with authority, getting fired from multiple jobs, and his rebellious nature. He explains how he used these experiences to fuel his entrepreneurial journey.Building Wojo MediaJason details the growth of his business, from charging $200 per month for social media management to running a full-scale agency with 255 clients and a team of 52.Scaling the BusinessJason discusses the importance of scaling a business, hiring the right team, and the evolution of his services from website building to comprehensive digital marketing.Insights on Leadership and GrowthJason provides insights on transitioning from a solopreneur to a leader, the importance of delegation, and the value of focusing on what you do best.The Importance of Offers, Ads, Ecosystems, and KPIs Jason explains the four pillars of his business strategy:Offers: Creating irresistible offers that drive action.Ads: Running effective ad campaigns across multiple platforms.Ecosystem: Building a comprehensive marketing ecosystem.KPIs: Tracking key performance indicators to measure success.Personal Insights and Future PlansJason shares his thoughts on life, relationships, and his plans to travel and see the world. He talks about the importance of doing what makes you happy and not succumbing to societal pressures.Upcoming EventJason promotes his upcoming event in Miami on July 27th, a two-day workshop with 700-800 business owners focusing on offers, paid traffic, landing pages, and KPIs.  

Summary Welcome to another great episode of the Startup Junkie Podcast! On this episode of Startup Junkies, hosts Caleb Talley and Jeff Amerine are joined by Canem Arkan and Shawn Morris from Endeavor, the leading global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs. Endeavor is on a mission to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world by inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger. Endeavor creates a multiplier effect by providing entrepreneurs with the platform to scale faster and pay it forward, resulting in a compounding of their individual impact. Throughout the episode, Caleb, Jeff, Canem, and Shawn talk about the importance of exposing yourself to a variety of markets and how a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem can exist anywhere with the right key people and support groups.   Show Notes (0:47) Introducing Canem and Shawn (1:23) Endeavor's Origin Story (3:46) Endeavor's Expansion into New Markets (10:36) What's Next for Endeavor (23:13) The Importance of Storytelling for Northwest Arkansas (28:24) Celebrating Wins and Normalizing Failure (34:24) Gaining Exposure to Different Markets (41:14) Current Challenges in the State (47:06) Advice to Younger Self (50:51) Closing Question   Links Caleb Talley Jeff Amerine  Canem Arkan Shawn Morris Endeavor   Quotes “We work with scaling founders with the goal of job creation and revenue generation and what that does for economic transformation…Because what we found was people with good ideas need certain help and people who have fifty or one hundred team members need a different kind of help. So how do we plug and support all the organizations that exist and do that for scaling founders who need a different kind of help?” - Canam Arkan, (1:23) “We still have a lot more to do. So part of what we're trying to focus on is are there areas of specialty we can really hone in on because we're industry agnostic, but it's hard to be everything to everyone, which is what we try to do.” - Canam Arkan, (11:00) “It feels more and more people are seeing that there's things happening here in NWA. And so whether it's investors from out of town or just founders in the region checking this place out, it feels more like people want to come in. And so how do we bring those people in and show them around and what's happening here and hold their feet to the fire of you've been here, you've seen it, now start doing stuff here.” - Shawn Morris, (12:35) “I think [celebrating wins] is helpful when it comes to selling to both, like bringing in and then retaining your employees, communicating to them like maybe we haven't raised a ton of money or we have a down round, but there's traction here. Your decision to jump ship from corporate to go work in a startup was smart because we're moving in the right direction. And I think we have to reiterate that and derisk it to people as often as possible.” - Shawn Morris, (30:59)

In this enlightening episode, our host Corey Dion Lewis sits down with the multifaceted entrepreneur, Ben McDougal. Dive into a conversation that bridges the gap between entrepreneurship and public health, highlighting how these worlds intertwine to create impactful change.Short Bio: Ben McDougal is an author, founder, technologist, investor, and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in the connected era.What You'll Discover in This Episode:[00:26] Ben's Origin Story: Explore Ben's journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to becoming a community influencer.[03:16] Entrepreneurship Meets Public Health: Insights on how entrepreneurship can positively affect social determinants of health.[06:58] Embracing an Entrepreneurial Lifestyle: Uncovering the essence of creativity and innovation in all sectors.[10:43] Building Communities: The vital role of networking and genuine connections in business success.[17:37] The Side Hustle Experience: Ben and Corey share personal anecdotes and strategies for managing side hustles effectively.[22:55] Art of Quitting and Pivoting: Learning when to make crucial shifts in your business approach.[27:22] Solo Entrepreneurship vs. Team Dynamics: Exploring the challenges and benefits of working solo or in a team.[29:57] Ben's Book Journey: A glimpse into Ben's process of writing and distilling his entrepreneurial experiences.Corey's Takeaway: A powerful closing message from our guest, filled with inspiration and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and public health enthusiasts alike.

On this episode Pat sits down with Endeavor's Senior Director of Research Leah Barto to discuss research at Endeavor, why studies on emerging ecosystems are important and Endeavor's most recent ground breaking research on founder pathways. You will learn about:The setup of Endeavor Insight, the very own research arm of EndeavorWhere successful unicorn founders come from and what they have in common What makes founders from emerging markets different to founders from the USAny future topics of resarch for EndeavorYou can find Leah on LinkedIn here. Make sure to check out Endeavor's research here. Support the show

In this edition of Pathways to Rural Prosperity Podcast, Don Macke with e2 Entrepreneurial Ecosystems hosts Jackson Swearer, the Entrepreneur Navigator and Director with STARTUP Hutch serving Hutchinson and Reno County, Kansas. This community in South Central Kansas is both urban and rural with a rich history of entrepreneur-focused community economic development. In this episode Don and Jackson reflect on this entrepreneurial ecosystem story with lots of lessons for other communities seeking to make entrepreneurship the foundation for all development.

Today, we have with us Saeed, Vice President of the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, where he works towards transforming the city of Dubai into an international technology hub. Saeed was previously the Director of Dubai Future Academy, an initiative under Dubai Future Foundation. He has also led projects for the foundation such as the Global Coders Initiative, the 1 Million Arab Coders-project as well as the foundation's upskilling program. Additionally, he has considerable experience at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center as Mission Strategist for the Emirates Mars Mission and Program Director for the UAE's 100-year space exploration strategy, the Mars 2117 Programme.Jump to the parts that matter most to you

In this episode, we chat with Neel Somani, the founder of Eclipse. We begin with an overview of Neel's personal journey in Crypto, from exploring Cosmos and appchains, to thinking about Rollups-as-a-service, to now building an L2. We then dig into Neel's dream customer, Eclipse's go-to-market strategy, and how they are building a differentiated ecosystem. Lastly, we dig into Eclipse's culture, how Neel manages his time, and how he thinks about building a cap table.

 Welcome to my seventh logbook, an in between seasons update on Ecosystems for Change. In each logbook, I give you a peek behind the scenes of what's happening in my day job as an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder in the Shenandoah Valley, some updates from the field of ecosystem building, an introduction to Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building doing amazing work in their communities, and a behind the scenes update about the show itself.It's a fun way for me to let you in on my thought processes and an invitation for you to contribute your own thoughts and experiences that make this show what it is.Listen to the full episode to hear: The event we convened in September that brought together entrepreneurial champions and advocates in the Shenandoah Valley A new advocacy organization with an online community Conference season is upon us! And the events you'll find me at How Alax Foreman is building a community of tech entrepreneurs in Chicago What Nick Giraldo wants to change about how we think about economic development Why I've made the tough decision to put Ecosystems for Change on hiatus Learn More About Alax Foreman:Chi Tech CollectiveLearn More About Nicholas Giraldo:Wyoming Community NavigatorLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Common Wealth Crush shenandoahvalleyliving.com/entrepreneurship Field Notes Right to Start SOCAP Global Startup Champions Network Fall Summit Shenandoah Valley Entrepreneurship Summit InBIA e.Builder's Forum Zebras Unite Tech Link Up Chicago The Sanctuary Chicago Black Tech Saturdays Detroit Afrotech Conference Nicholas Giraldo on the Wyoming SBDC Network Podcast Unsung Hero Spotlight: Nida Ansari Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sameer Popat Unsung Hero Spotlight: Alax Foreman Unsung Hero Spoltight: Nicholas Giraldo

On today's bonus episode, I'm speaking with Chris Heivly. Chris has over 40 years of experience working as, for, and with entrepreneurs and I was delighted to talk with him about why he wants to see more ecosystem and community builders come together and build a fort.Chris Heivly is a life-long entrepreneur and multifaceted investor who spent forty years working as, for, and with entrepreneurs. Prior to becoming a successful startup community builder and consultant, Chris co-founded MapQuest—which sold to AOL for $1.2 billion. He currently serves as a managing director of The Startup Factory and is a highly sought-after public speaker. His first book, Build the Fort: Why 5 Simple Lessons You Learned As a 10 Year-Old Can Set You Up for Startup Success, was inspired by his widely acclaimed TEDx talk in 2014.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Chris uses the metaphor of building the fort when addressing ecosystem builders and entrepreneurs How the fluidity of complex adaptive systems benefits entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders Why you have to identify and speak with as many of the actors in your ecosystem as possible Why collaboration and partnerships are vital to creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts How to identify the gaps in your ecosystem and bring the right people together to fill them How adopting a short term mindset can help ecosystem builders dive in, get stuff done, and build momentum Why you can't wait for a permission slip to get involved How leaders and influencers set the tone for the culture of an ecosystem Learn More About Chris Heivly: Website The Startup Factory Connect with Chris on LinkedIn Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder's Field Guide Building the fort -- a metaphor for starting anything Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Rainforest: The Secret to Building the Next Silicon Valley, Victor Hwang and Greg Horowitt Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City, Brad Feld The Startup Community Way: Evolving an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway Ecosystems for Change Season Two: The Slow and Complex Nature of Ecosystem Change S05E05: Start. Hand over. Repeat. The Cycles of Ecosystem Building with Larkin Garbee S04E06: Investing in the Lives of Founders with Todd Nuckols S04E08: Succession Planning: Transferring Social Capital To The Next Generation with Rick Turoczy EcoMap Technologies

We started this season by asking how we can tell better stories about what is happening in our ecosystems.As I reflect on the lessons learned throughout the season, the key piece is that storytelling is not just some fun marketing campaign; it's a tool to show the community what is possible and what the future might look like.But most of us–entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners alike–are so bogged down in the day-to-day that we rarely have the chance to envision the bigger picture of where the ecosystem is headed. Storytelling allows us to gather and curate all these different stories of doers, makers, and dreamers into a mosaic that creates a beautiful picture as it comes together.Once we understand that every story, whether on a blog, in a newsletter, or in a YouTube video, contributes to this greater picture and narrative, we can start chipping away at it. You don't need a degree in journalism or media production to contribute. You just need a genuine sense of excitement about the entrepreneurs you encounter and the willingness to look for solutions.Listen to the full episode to hear: How solutions-based storytelling, supported by clear and objective facts, moves the needle How the accessibility of technology creates opportunities for more diverse stories and storytellers Different strategies for leaning on your networks to spread your stories Choosing your format and making the money work How storytelling not only shines light on the doers and makers in your community, but allows the community to shift how they see themselves Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Season 6: All Episodes Tea After Twelve Solutions Journalism Network Hometown Hustle The Rural Edge Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph, Ryan Holiday EcoMap Technologies

In this episode, show host David Ponraj speaks with Leslie Lynn Smith, National Executive Director for GET Cities (Gender Equality in Tech) at SecondMuse, about her journey and lessons learned in economic development and ecosystem building.Listeners will learn about the importance of collaboration between different organizations and initiatives, thinking holistically about workforce development alongside fostering entrepreneurship, and the critical need to ensure inclusion in ecosystem building and community revitalization efforts. Leslie shares about her past work across Michigan, at Epicenter in Memphis, TN, and her recent work with Gender Equity in Tech Cities (GET Cities), a national initiative focused on increasing opportunities for women, trans, and non-binary people across tech ecosystems in several cities. She reflects on applying strategies from Detroit to build an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Memphis and bringing together different parts of the city's innovation economy, including designing interventions tailored to address specific inclusion gaps and challenges in each city.Key themes include facilitating connections between stakeholders, the value of convening, and maintaining a commitment to justice, equity, and community impact throughout Leslie's career navigating economic crises and driving change.Learn more about GET Cities: https://www.getcities.org/Check out Leslie's most recent contributions in Forbes Magazine here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/people/lesliesmith/?sh=5cc70f7d4ca0You can also connect with Leslie via LinkedIn or email.

There is only one Silicon Valley. Countries around the world have tried and continue to attempt to recreate the magic of Sandhill Road. But there will be only one Silicon Valley. So what can different startup ecosystems do to emulate the success of Silicon Valley? This week on The Startup Podcast, Chris Saad and Yaniv Bernstein dive into the key tenants on creating your own Silicon Valley.  What marketplaces do NOT work Why governments need to focus on only ONE place to strive for ecosystem success and change taxes to persuade foreigners to move How to capitalise on your area's natural advantages How to elevate expatriates How to take big bets effectively  Government. Education. Economics. AI. This podcast covers it all and more.  Whether you're a government official, startup founder or operator or someone interested in the startup landscape, this episode is a goldmine for opportunities to make your startup and startup ecosystem a global force.     The Pact  Honour The Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please: Follow, rate, and review us in your listening app Follow us on YouTube Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media following  Key links Follow us on YouTube for full-video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNjm1MTdjysRRV07fSf0yGg  Get your question in for our next Q&A episode: https://forms.gle/NZzgNWVLiFmwvFA2A The Startup Podcast website: https://tsp.show  Learn more about Chris and Yaniv Work 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/  Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/  Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/

Today, we're headed to Vermont to hear stories about extraordinary rural communities throughout the US.Austin Danforth is the chief storyteller in charge at the Center on Rural Innovation (CORI), not that he would call himself that. But I definitely do.Austin is putting his prior career as a sports reporter and photographer to use to reshape the narrative around tech ecosystems, innovation, and entrepreneurship in rural America.Austin and the team at CORI have produced the incredible video series The Rural Edge, as well as community case studies, reports, and tools that I, personally, have found super useful in my own work developing the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Shenandoah Valley.Naturally, I wanted to get Austin on the show to share with us how CORI does what they do, and how they do it so well. He's spilling the beans on the process of developing stories, how it differs from his life as a journalist, and how and why CORI has committed funding and resources to telling these vital stories.Austin Danforth is a native Vermonter who spent more than a decade as a sportswriter and photographer before jumping into nonprofit communications with the Center on Rural Innovation. He's an avid storyteller and connection-maker who loves to experience new places and figure out what makes them tick. Listen to the full episode to hear: How Austin thinks about shaping narratives and making CORI's work meaningful and accessible  Why it's been vital for CORI to partner with funders who believe in their mission to change the narrative about rural entrepreneurship The tightrope walk between audience and engagement in storytelling How Austin and CORI think about metrics and return on investment for storytelling work Learn More About Austin Danforth: Center on Rural Innovation Twitter: @eadanforth Connect with Austin on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Wright Thompson Tim Layden The Rural Edge EcoMap Technologies

In this episode, host David Ponraj is joined by Melissa Roberts Chapman. Melissa leads Federation of American Scientists regional entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem-building work across the country. Both David and Melissa dive into EDA funding, tech hubs, the CHIPS Act, and much more.Also featured in this episode, Melissa and David discuss innovation, innovation ecosystems, and ecosystem building. Melissa details necessity-driven entrepreneurship vs opportunity-driven entrepreneurship.David and Melissa also ponder on a pressing question, “Who is the gatekeeper, who are these ecosystem builders who can equitably distribute the wealth coming from EDA funding towards tech hubs?”In connection with current events and current federal priorities, the Biden administration emphasizes competition with China for efficiency. The CHIPS Act and more are helping to allow for equitable wealth creation and a beautiful, efficient system will be created. In the CHIPS Act, there are ten critical technologies, such as quantum computing, advanced comms technology, biotech, energy storage, and more. This is where a line is drawn in the sand, as it is where we want to compete with China to be successful within the next ten years. Visit fas.org for more information and connect with Melissa Roberts through LinkedIn. She is building a team of ecosystem builders with an interest in public policy. She wants to hear your ideas about novel entrepreneurship or cluster-building policies, and she wants to get you involved in her work. Reach out for more.Check out this article written by Melissa to learn more about systems thinking in entrepreneurship.For more on the Cynefin framework, visit this link.To keep in touch with the Federation of American Scientists, check out their blog and newsletter.

In this episode, I'm continuing my conversation about Yearbook Indiana with Polina Osherov of Pattern, Morgan Allen of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, and Julie Heath, formerly of IEDC.We're jumping right back in from the break, so if you haven't listened to part one, go do that! In part two, we're digging into the nitty-gritty of getting the yearbook into the right hands, how they made the budget work for the project and the state's strategic goals, and getting community buy-in.Listen to the full episode to hear: How thoughtful graphic design choices made it easy for founders to participate in sharing the yearbook on social How the team distributed over 3000 copies of the yearbook in just four months Calculating the ROI on getting entrepreneurship stories out into the world The impact of positive storytelling for ecosystem builders Learn More About Polina Osherov: Pattern Instagram: @posherov Connect with Polina on LinkedIn Learn More About Morgan Allen: Indiana Economic Development Corporation Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn Learn More About Julie Heath:Connect with Julie on LinkedInLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: S04E07: The Know-How via Know-Who of Social Capital with Julie Heath Logbook #6: Nida Ansari Hardtech Indiana AgBioscience Podcast Denisha Ferguson, Indiana Fashion Week (PATTERN article) People I (Mostly) Admire, Steven Levitt (podcast) Dear Data, Georgia Lupi & Stefanie Posavec Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building with Dell Gines (free online course with Project DEEP) How To Take Over the World by Ben Wilson Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND EcoMap Technologies

In today's episode, I get to introduce you to a storytelling powerhouse trio.At every stage of the process, from vision to execution to the final product, I have rarely seen such a well-produced, coherent, and meaningful storytelling campaign as Yearbook Indiana.The Indiana Economic Development Corporation–IEDC–collaborated with Indiana-based magazine Pattern, to produce a yearbook highlighting the stories of entrepreneurs throughout the state and to highlight the positive impacts of young companies on the state's economy.To steer this ambitious undertaking, IEDC and Pattern brought together the three women you'll hear from today: Polina Osherov, co-founder and executive director of Pattern, Morgan Allen, entrepreneurial ecosystem manager at IEDC, and Julie Heath, who has since moved on from IEDC.Because there is just so much to absorb in this rich conversation, we're splitting it into two parts. In part one, you'll hear about how this kind of storytelling became a priority, how the project got underway between IEDC and Pattern, and what makes a physical storytelling product like a yearbook so special and powerful.Listen to the full episode to hear: Five key milestones to putting the project together How they crafted the narrative arc for the yearbook How they're fine-tuning the process for the 2023 yearbook Learn More About Polina Osherov: Pattern Instagram: @posherov Connect with Polina on LinkedIn Learn More About Morgan Allen: Indiana Economic Development Corporation Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn Learn More About Julie Heath:Connect with Julie on LinkedInLearn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: S04E07: The Know-How via Know-Who of Social Capital with Julie Heath Dell Gines Entrepreneurship Indiana Connect IND EcoMap Technologies

I've been in awe of today's guest, Natalie Hodge, since I first learned about her show Hometown Hustle.As of summer 2023, the show is in its second season telling the stories of entrepreneurs building their big business ideas in the small towns of rural America and changing the narrative about rural entrepreneurship.Today, Natalie shares why she believes it's so vital to share the stories of rural entrepreneurs, the joys and challenges of producing a web series from scratch on a tight budget, and how we can build buy-in on these stories from community and corporate partners.Natalie Hodge is the founder and owner of Rudy's Girl Media, a Martinsville, Virginia-based multimedia content creation company specializing in developing a diverse array of engaging projects ranging from film to literary works. Natalie is a writer, producer, and transformation coach with a background in higher education and workforce development with degrees from Guilford College and Cornell University. She is an authentic and inspiring speaker who focuses her messaging on fearlessness and the power of positive being.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Natalie went about building her slate of entrepreneur stories Why it's so important for her to share the positive impact of rural entrepreneurship on local economies How Natalie builds buy-in with partners from community economic development teams to corporate sponsors How telling stories of rural entrepreneurs has the ability to impact local economies Learn More About Natalie Hodge: Rudy's Girl Media NatalieHodge.com Hometown Hustle Instagram: @NatalieKHodge,  @RudysGirlMedia Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast, RISE Collaborative Browntown Farms The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph, Ryan Holiday EcoMap Technologies

Welcome to my first interview of season 6.I sat down with none other than Eva-Maria Verfürth, Publisher and Editor in Chief of Tea After Twelve.While based in Frankfurt, Germany, Eva's storytelling spans around the globe to talk about new solutions to old problems to create a better world.As you'll see in this conversation, Eva is driven by a deep desire to transform journalism in a way that moves beyond mere disaster reporting and emphasizes inspiration and progress, which is why I'm so excited to kick off season 6 with her.Let's go to Frankfurt!Eva-Maria Verfürth is a journalist and entrepreneur with a keen interest in international perspectives and social change. Her career has been driven by the wish to transform journalism in a way that moves beyond mere disaster reporting and emphasizes inspiration and progress. In 2014, Eva and her teammate Sarah Klein founded Tea After Twelve, an international online magazine on impact innovation, technological inventions, and social change. The idea in a nutshell: reporting about what is working instead of only telling what's going wrong. Tea after Twelve wants to connect creative minds around the world, the entrepreneurs, inventors, thinkers, and makers who have convincing ideas for social change and ecological transformation. It features projects and actions that have had an impact in their communities and have the potential to make a difference elsewhere as well.Eva is also co-founder and managing director of Bunny Island, a German communications agency offering content production and design services, and a coach and trainer for (solutions) storytelling and communications strategy. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she worked as an editor and writer for several magazines with international audiences and in public relations for German development cooperation organizations.Listen to the full episode to hear: Why Eva and her co-founder developed Tea After Twelve to be an solutions-based antidote to negative news coverage of social and environmental impact issues How Tea After Twelve translates impactful stories from around the world for a global audience How Tea After Twelve has developed a global network of storytellers outside the journalistic mainstream Why Eva says it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the solution in a story Learn More About Eva-Maria Verfürth: Tea After Twelve Bunny Island Connect on LinkedIn Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Solutions Journalism Network An Introduction to Hans Rosling Hans Rosling's TED Talk EcoMap Technologies

In this special and intriguing episode, guest host Jodi McLean, Director of Sales and Marketing at EIC, is joined by Chris Heivly, Managing Director of Build the Fort, an umbrella entity that helps Chris serve entrepreneurs, startup companies and startup community champions through books, speaking, in-person workshops, and consulting. Chris is one of the nation's leading experts on launching startups and has been dubbed the “Startup Whisperer.” He co-founded MapQuest, is an angel investor, ran a corporate venture fund and 2 micro venture funds (directed over $75M) and was recently SVP Innovation with Techstars. Heivly discusses the complexity of ecosystem building and the 4 levels of community maturity: nascent, developing, emerging, and leading. He breaks down the 7 drivers that are needed to activate these different stages of community ecosystems.. Different drivers are used for different business stages. Jodi and Chris speak on mentorship, which is critical, and helps to build great community leaders. Developing good community relationships is key. You need to inspire and support new startups, while also developing new investors, corporations, universities, and government. Heivly remarks that you cannot have an ecosystem without community.Heivly also emphasizes the importance of connectivity; he mentions that he likes to see who is hyper-connected and how those connections are being created and nurtured. He speaks on a frequently asked question; If we believe that some startups may fail, how do we invest in the right ones?.To connect with Chris, visit his LinkedIn. To purchase his recently published book, “Build the Fort: The Startup Community Builder's Field Guide”, check it out on Amazon, Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook (in the next coming months).

In season 6 of Ecosystems for Change, we are going to explore the art, craft, and science of telling meaningful stories that have the power to affect change in our communities.I've always enjoyed hearing other people's stories, reading about them, and eventually telling these stories. As I started out helping to develop the ecosystem in Richmond, VA, I also began to understand that storytelling is a powerful tool in any ecosystem builder's toolbox.But once I picked up Peter Block's book, “Community: The Structure of Belonging,” I understood that storytelling could be much more and that it's actually a tool that helps a community create a vision for itself, to dream of a future that might be possible. To me, this following quote sums up his work beautifully:“Stories can give us a narrative to guide and instruct us. They are crucial to our knowing who we are; they provide a sense of identity. […] We need to distinguish between the stories that give meaning to our lives and help us find our voice, and those that limit our possibility.”This season, I'm speaking with other storytellers to learn their tips and tricks of the trade. I hope to uncover how others go about finding and telling meaningful stories that give hope and propel their communities forward. I want to find out exactly what intentions these storytellers have, how they approach storytelling, what their process looks like from beginning to end, and how they make the finances work.As always on this show, my hope is that we can learn from each other, avoid the obvious pitfalls, and as a result become better at what we do: Transform our communities by supporting the changemakers within them.Listen to the full episode to hear: Two examples of the impact of storytelling from my own life Why we need to focus on telling stories of possibility instead of railing against problems How negative narratives keep us stuck The power of positive storytelling to propel change in our communities Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block The Space Beyond Scarce:  Collaboration and Ecosystem Building for Entrepreneurs and Change Makers with Anika Horn Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to Build a Better World, Jacqueline Novogratz Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog EcoMap Technologies Summer Skill Sessions: Ecosystem Mapping

Welcome to my 6th logbook where I give a little insight into what's happening behind and beyond the scenes of this show.And I'm switching up the format a little bit! I've been meeting so many incredible ecosystem builders, and while I can't have them all on the show, that's not going to stop me from trying!I'm super excited to introduce a new quarterly segment called the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building.I ran this campaign back in 2020 alongside two fellow ecosystem builders, Jeff Bennet and Jess Edwards, both of whom you've met on this show.I often meet really brilliant ecosystem builders–online and in-person–and I want to be able to share their awesomeness with all of you! But before we go deep into meeting two Unsung Heroes, I'll share what's been going on in the Shenandoah Valley and behind the scenes of the show.Listen to the full episode to hear: Two ways we're engaging with the entrepreneur communities in the Shenandoah Valley What's coming up on Season Six of Ecosystems for Change Unsung Hero Why Nida Ansari goes all-in on making Indianapolis her new hometown, and how she went about integrating herself into the ecosystem How Unsung Hero Sammy Popat builds bridges within the university and out into the wider ecosystem in Maryland Learn More About Nida Ansari: Connect with Nida on LinkedIn Twitter: @theVCnida Twitter: @hardtechindiana Connect with Hard Tech Indiana on LinkedIn Learn More About Sammy Popat: Sammy Popat's University of Maryland Bio UMD Innovation Gateway Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Shenandoah Community Capital Fund Blog EcoMap Technologies Ecosystem Builder Hub: Unsung Hero Spotlight: Sameer Popat Ecosystem Builder Hub: Unsung Hero Spotlight: Nida Ansari

In one of our most high level conversations, we talked to Cecilia Wessinger, Director for Global Community for the Global Entrepreneurship Network about ecosystem building, rainforest verse plantations, and why you should join her for some soup. By soup we mean join us at Tulsa Soup on May 23rd.Tulsa SOUP is a microfunding initiative that supports local community projects and helps bring them to life. We believe that small ideas can lead to big change, and we're here to help make that happen. Find out more on their website Tulsa Soup.We are planning to do another episode with Cecilia to get more into the nitty gritty of these topics, so if you have questions for her, please let us know!

Kate interviews Anika Horn, about building collaborative ecosystems around a common cause and overcoming the scarcity mindset of competition in movements for social good. More about this week's guest: Rooted at the intersection of systems thinking, social impact and storytelling, Anika works to advance the field of ecosystem building through her podcast Ecosystems for Change and as Director of Ecosystem Building at the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund in Staunton, VA. Previously, Anika co-founded Unreasonable Lab VA (Virginia's first mini-accelerator for social entrepreneurs), CO.STARTERS VA (a startup program for idea-stage founders) and Rebelle Con (a boutique conference for entrepreneurial women). At the same time, she worked with high-growth startups at nationally ranked accelerator program Lighthouse Labs and spearheaded the B Corp movement in Virginia as the state's official B Keeper. Prior to her work in North America, Anika earned a Bachelor of European Studies and Masters of Sustainability Sciences in Germany, France and Australia, where she spent a decade working  in journalism, non-profits, government and the private sector. Go Deeper: ✨ Sign up for Kate's weekly newsletter to get practices and prompts that accompany this week's episode. ✨ Sign up for Kate's Space Beyond Scarce Coaching Project. ✨ Learn more about Anika's work at: www.socialventurers.com www.anikahorn.com  https://pod.link/ecosystemsforchange 

Over the course of this season, quitting became a constant topic in my life.One of my team members quit to take on a new role closer to home. A new friend talked to me about quitting her job to spend more time enjoying her family and less time worrying about making it all fit in her schedule. A partner quit because he had done what he came to do and was ready to move on to something else.With the perspective I've gained through the Quitter conversations in season 5, I was able to view these Quits within my sphere as something rich and endlessly fascinating. When I started out with this season, I referred to The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. InThe Infinite Game, players stop playing for two reasons:  They lack the external resources to keep playing, such as the remuneration or the job to build an ecosystem, or Their internal resources - such as will and motivation - are depleted causing them to step out. With each conversation in this season, I was trying to sort my guest into one of these two boxes only to be reminded that people can't be sorted into boxes. I found instead that quitting a purpose-driven role is much more complex than that.Listen to the full episode to hear: How a lack of internal and external resources leads changemakers to quit How this season's quitters found new ways to build ecosystems The importance of how you leave - for yourself and your ecosystem The relationship of the long-term work of ecosystem building and the modern realities of shifting careers and roles Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek S04E06: Investing in the Lives of Founders with Todd Nuckols S02E05 – Thriving In a World of Ambiguity, Uncertainty, and Constant Change with April Rinne

Marcia Chong Rosado (she/her/ella) faces multidimensionality head on. She holds multiple identities within her work, but also in her personal life as she's navigated cultures across continents, socioeconomic spaces, and industries. Her goal? To bridge venture and civic engagement worlds.  Personally, Marcia operates within and outside of evolving labels, including identifying as multiracial from diverse ancestors, Ecuadorian, as an immigrant to the United States. Today, she is a Director at Cinematica Labs, focused on building mission-oriented entrepreneurial ecosystems in partnerships with ecosystem builders, like Pharrell Williams' Black Ambition. Marcia is a Coach with the National Science Foundation's Convergence Accelerator program uplifting teams of scientists addressing national-scale societal challenges. She is also involved in civic engagement as a Commissioner on the Worcester County Commission on the Status of Women to promote rights and opportunities for women and girls, and as an Advisory Board Member for the Commonwealth Seminar, a privately funded program focused on “Opening the Doors of Government to Everyone”. Marcia's work in venture ecosystem building, startups, nonprofits, and partnerships has been noted by Amplify Latinx, HBCUvc 31 under 31, Boston Business Journal, Harvard Law & Policy Review, and Forbes. We speak with Marcia about the navigating identity, community and venture ecosystem building in the startups ecosystem and what an equitable future looks like. Take a listen. Connect with Marcia Chong Rosado on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciaxchong/ And on Instagram: @marciaxchong Follow Moneda Moves on Instagram: @MonedaMoves Follow your host Lyanne Alfaro on Instagram: @LyanneAlfaro Main podcast theme song from Premium Beat. Our music is from Epidemic Sound.

In our last conversation of this season, we're traveling to Berlin, Germany. I'm sitting down with Naomi Ryland, systemic change maker, social entrepreneur, bestselling author and overall insightful person.We talked about the last ten years in the German social impact space, how to turn your organization from a hierarchical to a self-organized one, and how to shift and share power as a person with privilege. We also talk about burnout from the Unicorn-startup culture and raising anti-racist, feminist children.​​Naomi is an entrepreneur, author, and activist with a keen interest in feminist economics, diversity and belonging, power and privilege, and post-capitalist utopias. She founded tbd*, the go-to platform for jobs with purpose, and SEND e.V., the political representative body for social entrepreneurship in Germany. She co-authored Starting a Revolution and co-edited and co-authored Unlearn Patriarchy.Listen to the full episode to hear: How Naomi's realization that she was following a playbook that wasn't written by or for people like her led her to Starting a Revolution How principles of self-organizing and competency-based hierarchy at tbd* impacted Naomi's slow transition out of her role as founder Why Naomi says it's important for people with privilege to take risks towards systemic change Why Naomi's next big project is about unlearning business Learn more about Naomi Ryland: NaomiRyland.com Instagram: @naomi_ryland Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Lisa Jaspers All About Love: New Visions, bell hooks Starting a revolution, Naomi Ryland & Lisa Jaspers Unlearn Patriarchy, Lisa Jaspers & Naomi Ryland tbd* Unlearn Business Lab 

In today's episode, we're traveling to Phoenix, Arizona to chat with Lucas Lindsey.Lucas is an ecosystem builder turned real estate developer. We talked about planning for succession and the importance of the built environment for entrepreneurial ecosystem building.Lucas Lindsey is a Michigan kid on a long hiatus to the American Southwest. He is a big fan of new ideas and old buildings who has always worked in a combination of ecosystem building, real estate development, and construction. He believes in empowering change from the bottom up and working hard to improve whatever community you call home. Listen to the full episode to hear: The road trip that prompted Lucas's shift away from ecosystem building The challenges Lucas faced in leaving an identity-defining career How Lucas's organization handled the delicate work of succession planning Learn more about Lucas Lindsey: Urbnist Twitter: @urbnist Learn More About Anika Horn: Website: www.socialventurers.com  Instagram: SocialVenturers Newsletter: Sign up for Impact Curator Resources: Startup Champions Network The Cathedral and the Bazaar Jenny Poon & Co+Hoots Coworking

Our conversation today is part of an ongoing partnership with the US Small Business Administration highlighting small businesses as well as offering advice and resources to small business owners. We talked with Martin Short, Lead Economic Development Specialist & Public Information Officer at the Virginia-Richmond District Office for the US Small Business Administration about the Community Navigator Pilot Program. This was a continuation of sorts from our conversation in January. Joining Martin was Anika Horn, Director of Ecosystem Building at Shenandoah Community Capital Fund and Gabrielle Cash from the Walker Entrepreneurship Program. Anika explained SCCF's role in the CNPP and talked about the numbers of small businesses they have helped get started, grow, and be successful. Gabrielle gave us detail about her program and told us about the resources and funding that have helped black entrepreneurs start and grow a business in Lexington, VA. The Community Navigator Pilot Program is an American Rescue Plan initiative designed to reduce barriers that underrepresented and underserved entrepreneurs often face in accessing the programs they need to recover, grow, or start their businesses. The program will provide a total of $100 million in funding to 51 organizations that will work with hundreds of local community groups to improve access to SBA and government resources for America's entrepreneurs.  The selected projects will cover diverse communities across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Grantees will serve as “hubs” -- centralized, lead organizations, which will incorporate “spokes,” organizations that have built trust in their local communities and will be the ‘boots on the ground' that will connect small businesses to critical resources and assistance, including: financial assistance and access to capital contracting and procurement marketing, operations, business development, and exporting industry-specific training The Community Navigator for the Shenandoah Valley is Shenandoah Community Capital Fund. The Shenandoah Community Capital Fund (SCCF), formerly known as the Staunton Creative Community Fund, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit entrepreneurial support organization serving the entire Shenandoah Valley. Since 2019, SCCF has responded to a gradual transition in the region's entrepreneurial landscape. This shift sparked a new focus within SCCF, and the organization embraced an entrepreneurial ecosystem-building approach to economic and community development. As a result, SCCF, along with 17 partner organizations, created the first region-wide ecosystem collaboration in the Valley. Through the support of a GO Virginia grant, SCCF launched the Startup Shenandoah Valley (S2V) program and continues to support entrepreneurs and business owners of all backgrounds in the Shenandoah Valley. Learn more here: https://www.sccfva.org/  The Walker Program is a community initiative that launched in August 2020, to help jumpstart businesses owned by people of color in Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County, VA. It combines free business training, grant funding, and ongoing support to committed individuals who want to start or grow a business in that area. The goal is to lower the barriers to business ownership for entrepreneurs of color in our community. Learn more here: https://www.walkerprogram.com/   

On Episode 365 of Impact Boom, Anika Horn of Social Venturers discusses how strengthening the entrepreneurship ecosystem leads to enhanced outcomes and opportunities for changemakers from underserved communities.

Today on the Ether we have the Action.CEO hosting a space discussing the Kadena ecosystem building on the next generation of blockchains. You'll hear from Howling Husky, Alpha Slayers Club, Crankk.io, Chris Allan, k:Cameron Bright, KDLaunch, and more! Recorded on August 18th 2022. If you enjoy the music at the end of the episodes, you can find the albums streaming on Spotify, and the rest of your favorite streaming platforms. Check out Project Survival, Virus Diaries, and Plan B wherever you get your music. Thank you to everyone in the community who supports TerraSpaces.

This week, host David Ponraj is joined by Monique Kuykendoll Quarterman, Deputy Executive Director, and David Brock, Director of Operations, at KY Innovation. Within the Cabinet for Economic Development, KY Innovation is a statewide initiative representing Kentucky's approach to building a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. KY Innovation successfully targets resources to support startups, traditional small businesses, and innovation-driven entrepreneurs. The team's work reaches across business lifespans to dramatically improve Kentucky's entrepreneurship ecosystem. The goal is to significantly increase the number of new company startups annually. Monique and David share the organization's “Secret Sauce'' for breaking down silos in the ecosystem. Entrepreneurship-led economic development principles shared in this episode: Defining innovation Identifying barriers that diverse leaders may face and how to create opportunities for the next generation The benefit of public-private partnerships The role mentorship has played in Monique's career and how it impacts the entrepreneurship community in Kentucky Programs and incentives KY Innovation offers to meet the needs of the entrepreneurial and innovation community The importance of engaging the community in a meaningful way and telling the stories of local entrepreneurs How to effectively and efficiently make resources accessible to entrepreneurs and innovators Their Secret Sauce to breaking down silos in the Kentucky ecosystem Learn more: KY Innovation: https://www.kyinnovation.com/ (kyinnovation.com) Economic Impact Catalyst: economicimpactcatalyst.com

This week's episode is with Gerard Ramos, CEO at Revelry. Revelry is a digital innovation lab based in New Orleans with satellite offices in Chicago and Dallas. Revelry's Innovation Stack is a suite of cloud-native intelligent automation tools enabling businesses to rapidly deliver innovative products to market. Specialties: Product Delivery, Agile, Cloud, IoT, SaaS, PaaS, Marketplace, Blockchain, E-Commerce, Idea Acceleration, Design Thinking, Angel Investing, Ecosystem Building. We join Gerard in Western North Carolina, as he's onsite helping to build one of Revelry's newest ventures, Roam. Roam is an eco-conscious, tech-enabled campgrounds platform for remote workers and families on the road. As Thomas has recently agreed to join its board of directors, they really dive into hearing about what it takes to get a campsite online. This is the merging of tech and nature that truly encapsulates what he and Thomas are trying to build, bringing the future forward. But Gerard took many years to get to this point. We get into his coding/engineering past, how he was told he couldn't build a VC company in New Orleans, and the struggles it took him to prove them all wrong. This is a very cool guest. And we are excited to share it! Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerardramos/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-mcgannon-cfa-4a56034/ https://roamcampgrounds.com/ https://revelry.co/ up-pod.com @uppodpod

Mastery. The experience of everyday work. Exploration. Discovery. Building. Ecosystem Harmonizing. The 7 year rule.

Nick and Kaitlyn are taking the week off from interviews. Before signing off for the weekend, we wanted to give thanks to our listeners and let everyone know our plans for the holidays! Happy Thanksgiving!!!