In the 2026 State of the Industry Report, we explore what this moment means for our field and why the path forward begins with returning to our most important job: listening to entrepreneurs.

How we align entrepreneurship programs with this all-important funding pathway, but even more importantly why entrepreneurial skills may be the most important workforce strategy to meet this moment in time.

In many ecosystem conversations in the United States, entrepreneurship is framed around growth, innovation, and regional competitiveness.

In some parts of the world, the stakes are completely different.

Legacy is not measured by buildings or accolades. It is measured by the lives changed and the systems built to last.

We all support founders. But here’s the argument we need each other to make: Entrepreneurship is still treated as a byproduct, not a core economic strategy. That gap hurts founders and shortchanges communities. It’s on us to fix it together.

How do we build ecosystems that collaborate around the entrepreneur, instead of forcing founders to navigate internal competition they never signed up for?

What happens when entrepreneur support gets local but forgets scale? Entrepreneur support needs networks to survive in small markets.

Do you ever imagine what the world would look like without ecosystem builders?

This week’s #BeTheNode features Grace Anne Belangia on what #SCNAugusta taught us about collaboration, community, and the power of entrepreneurial support. 

For years, I’ve felt like I was wearing a mask — performing for funders, performing for founders, performing for everyone who needed a certain version of me…For the first time in years, I felt like myself again.

It seemed fitting to premiere The Soul of Economic Freedom in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Gain 5 key takeaways from our conversation with Wendy Lea, Member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Board Member of Elevate Quantum.

This episode brings us to the heart of Baltimore's Bromo Arts District. We’re visiting to learn first hand about how new models of grassroots entrepreneur support and ecosystem building are directly impacting communities. What did we discover?

In the fast-paced world of startups, it's easy to get caught up in the race to the top. We often hear about the need to scale quickly, dominate markets, and beat the competition. But what if the future of entrepreneurship isn’t about competition at all? What if it’s about community?

In our latest stop on the Ecosystem Tour, we sat down with Mark Lawrence, managing partner of Inncuvate and a leader in ecosystem building. Mark's work is rooted in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but his impact extends far beyond the local community.

Discover how the NSF's Regional Innovation Engines program aims to transform American innovation ecosystems with $160M over 10 years. Grace and Eric interview Thyaga Nandagopal to explore the goals, application criteria, and success metrics. Learn how your organization can compete and unlock significant funding. Preliminary proposals due August 6, 2024. Don't miss this game-changing opportunity!