Ecosystem Building
What is the entrepreneurial ecosystem?
“The essence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem is its people and the culture of trust and collaboration that allows them to interact successfully. The ecosystem allows for the fast flow of talent, information, and resources so that entrepreneurs can quickly find what they need at each stage of growth. As a result, the whole is greater than the sum of its separate parts.”
Kauffman Foundation, 2019
What is an ecosystem builder?
“Ecosystem builders connect, empower, and collaborate with others to build the whole system. They are system entrepreneurs, working to lift up the whole community to achieve its potential.” – Kaufman Foundation, 2019
Resources for Ecosystem Builders // created by RISE Collaborative
The Grapevine Entrepreneur Network
The Grapevine is made up of entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders across Southern Virginia, with a shared interest in supporting Black & Brown-owned and woman-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. The Grapevine Entrepreneur Workgroup meets monthly on Zoom and communicates. We welcome all entrepreneurs and ecosystem builders in Southern Virginia to join our LinkedIn and Facebook groups to share resources, ask questions, and make connections. Learn More
Entrepreneurship on the RISE Podcast
Our podcast lets you multi-task while you learn about ecosystem building. We interview ecosystem builders and entrepreneurs from Southern Virginia and around the United States. We hope you enjoy these conversations and learn something you can bring into your own efforts to support entrepreneurs or grow your business. Listen Now
Quarterly REI Stakeholder Call
The goal for the Regional Entrepreneurship & Innovation Initiative Quarterly Stakeholder Call is to update and advance the regional entrepreneurship strategy in GO Virginia Region 3. These calls help ensure inclusive access to entrepreneurship across the unique geographies in GO Virginia Region 3.
The first call for 2023 is Thursday, March 2, 2023, 9am-10am on Zoom.
Resources for Ecosystem Builders // recommended by RISE Collaborative
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
In this course, Dr. Dell Gines teaches inclusive, entrepreneurial economic development. Through close examination of the advantages of entrepreneurial development to rural and minority communities, Dell highlights the opportunity for eliminating economic disparities and building sustainable, equitable ecosystems. Free course. 2.5 hours of video content. Enroll for free.
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building
Right to Start is fighting to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all. We believe everyone has a fundamental right to pursue their dreams, build a business, and earn a living. Learn more at https://www.righttostart.org/
Ecosystem Building Leadership Project
The Ecosystem Building Leadership Project is an initiative to collaboratively design, create, and validate a formal entity or shared infrastructure whose purpose is to provide leadership for the advancement of the entrepreneurship ecosystem building field of practice. Learn more at https://www.ebleadershipproject.com/launch