Ecosystem Leadership
As active startup ecosystem builders, we have a first hand understanding of the struggles that community leaders, economic developers, and innovation space operators face in building successful startups and a financially viable ecosystem of support. Not only have we helped grow over 60 companies, we have built an independent financially self sustaining nonprofit with multiple locations that has served over 25,000 people and helped over 2,000 people learn new skills in coding, electronics, finance, marketing, and design.
We continually strive to share the knowledge and experience we have gained to help other communities succeed.
Over dim sum in Chicago with a crew of ecosystem builders, we uncovered an insight.
Despite our name, We Don't Build Ecosystems...at least not the way you might think.
We wrote about what that actually means this week.
What it feels like to navigate a capital system where trust is scarce, access is gated, and founders become commodities.
And what we’ve learned with one foot in building a startup, and the other in supporting them.
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.
Public Speaking
Looking to build support?
We Advocate for Local innovators
We are your advocate to Make Startups
Do you want someone to share how to build a makerspace, tips on engaging community, or need more data and insights to catalyze your audience to action? We look forward to advocating startup community growth on your behalf. Visit our Public Speaking page for examples of talks we have given in the past and inquire about your event.
Workshops & Services
Are you ready to move forward?
Make Startups
Workshops and services to propel growth
Choose a workshop for a 1-3 day experience in building skills and networks around specific concepts. If you’re ready to dive deeper and want help, we have several mentoring and consulting services packages, and can work with you to develop a custom package for your needs.
Democracy Requires an Ownership Development System. What can we learn from workforce development to strengthen entrepreneurship in America?