We need Policies that support Startups

Most public Policy is designed to support existing business and industry. Because new business owners are too busy to advocate for their needs, the Make Startups Industry Council performs research and advocacy on their behalf.

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA)

Policy Briefs

Workforce Innovation Strategy: HELP America Work for Entrepreneurship - April 9, 2021

Colorado Workforce Policy Brief - March 18, 2021

Workforce Policy Framework - March 11, 2021

Presentations

National Governors Association presentation covers program outcomes and identifies how states can support training programs for economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Included is a progression of presentations that have been developed as part of a series that began in 2019 to educate policy makers, administrators, community and economic developers, capital partners, and Entrepreneur Support Organizations of the opportunities within workforce development and an operational approach for investing in an entrepreneurial workforce.

Investing in an Entrepreneurial Workforce: This is an overview of the opportunity within the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) that identifies the specific legislative authorization and intent.
Investing in Entrepreneur Ecosystem Credentials: This second presentation for community stakeholders builds upon the legislative overview in previous presentations to identify an operational strategy to meet requirements to leverage WIOA funding in communities.
Entrepreneur Ecosystem Accreditation Next Steps: This presentation is designed to help communities interested in pursuing entrepreneurial workforce development strategies understand program design metrics and immediate next steps required to launch an entrepreneurial skills training pilot program in their community or state.

Make Startups Advocacy

Featured

Everything comes back to Economics

2026 State of the Industry Report

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.

What’s it like to host a National Summit?

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.

Get real, get local, and get to work

A New Declaration from the Birthplace of Freedom

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

Startup Policy Update

For anyone who is focused on the role entrepreneurship plays in helping people and communities transition from poverty to wealth, there are three issues you can advocate for right now.

Top Startup Policy Achievements in 2023

Join us in celebrating a year of policy achievements for Startups in 2023!

Startup Act Update

Starting a business is one of the primary ways to create generational wealth. This legislation will level the playing field by helping those facing generational poverty and unemployment to receive the support they need from our workforce development system. - Eric R. Parker, Cofounder & CEO

Shifting the Startup Financing Conversation: Advocacy Week Insights

Shaping the Future of Entrepreneur Ecosystems

At the Startup Champions Network Policy Summit, we joined over 80 leading practitioners in the field of entrepreneur support gathered in Washington D.C. to advocate together for continued change.