An Opportunity for Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
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According to Andrew Button of Mashup Labs, “There is a massive pool of untapped entrepreneurial potential sitting on the sidelines, not engaging with the existing entrepreneurial ecosystem around them.” Guess what? We believe him! Learn why we are at a wonderful moment for ecosystem builders and economic developers to transform our communities to build on supporting owners at the activation stage that many of us miss borrowing on his lessons learned advancing ecosystems across North America.
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Building Momentum: 15 Years in the Making
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Entrepreneurial ecosystems do not become coordinated, trusted networks overnight. In our latest blog, SourceLink Director Rob Williams explores how Detroit’s MI Small Business Helper platform became a national model after more than 15 years of relationship-building, ecosystem coordination, and persistent collaboration. From trust-building convenings to shared data systems and entrepreneur-centered design, the story offers practical lessons for communities working to strengthen their own entrepreneurial infrastructure. Read the full article to see what ecosystem builders across the country can learn from Southeast Michigan’s long-term approach to collaboration and resilience.
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A Turning Point for Economic Development: Entrepreneurship & Ecosystems
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This last Economic Development Week was an important reminder that our field is evolving, and IEDC’s new Dimensions of Economic Development Practice report confirmed it. For the first time, Ecosystem Building and Entrepreneurship are recognized as core dimensions of our field, signaling a shift beyond traditional business attraction toward more community-centered, systems-oriented growth. The report also highlights a new generation of practitioners bringing strengths in systems thinking, equity fluency, digital literacy, and entrepreneurial support, reinforcing that the future of economic development will be increasingly entrepreneurial and locally driven. SourceLink affiliates and ecosystem builders have helped lead this shift for years, which we believe gives us all much to celebrate.
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Affiliate & Partner Updates |
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| Becca Castro Appointed to WEN Board
Congratulations to KCSourceLink Director, Becca Castro on her appointment to the Women’s Employment Network (WEN) Board of Directors. She’s joined by four of her peers in empowering women to achieve economic stability and career success through employment readiness, professional development, and ongoing career support in Kansas City.
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Marc Parham Honored at Men of Matter Most
Congratulations to Marc E. Parham at the Urban League of Greater Atlanta, on this well-deserved recognition. Leadership in entrepreneurship and economic development often happens behind the scenes through years of relationship-building, advocacy, and community investment.
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| NEI’s Remarkable Ten-Year Retrospective
The New Economy Initiative's latest report highlights the long-term value of coordinated entrepreneurial support across Southeast Michigan. It’s an important reminder that our work needs to be measured in decades and how shared investment, collaboration, and ecosystem-wide partnerships can strengthen access to resources and opportunities for entrepreneurs.
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What If Trust Is Infrastructure? Rethinking Collaboration in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
In the latest installment of IEDC’s Centennial Thought Leader Series, Dr. Lomax R. Campbell and Rob Williams argue that relationship-driven collaboration, shared power, and trust are essential to building effective entrepreneurial ecosystems. Put another way, “trust is not simply a cultural byproduct of collaboration, it is a structural condition that can be intentionally designed." Let us know if you agree!
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Will Miller and Mark Burdette Earn Citations of Excellence
The West Virginia SBDC State Director Will Miller and Deputy Director Mark Burdette received Citations of Excellence from the state during Bridging Innovation Week. The West Virginia entrepreneurship community continues to build momentum through this annual event. The initiative brings together founders, ecosystem builders, investors, educators, and support organizations to strengthen relationships and create more connected pathways for entrepreneurs statewide. Congrats to the whole team!
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| The Power of Nebraska’s Entrepreneurial Network
Scott Asmus recently highlighted something many entrepreneurs across Nebraska experience firsthand: success rarely happens in isolation. Behind every meaningful opportunity is a collaborative ecosystem of people, organizations, and trusted partnerships working together to help businesses grow. His reflection serves as a powerful reminder that Nebraska’s entrepreneurial strength lies not only in innovative ideas, but in the relationships and community support that help turn those ideas into impact.
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Stronger Together: Business Support Across Fairfax County
Frank Kuhns recently convened a Fairfax CORE resource partner meet up that brought together leaders from across Fairfax County, Virginia’s business ecosystem, because when business support organizations work together, small businesses get faster access to the resources, expertise, and connections they need to grow. With only 35% of Fairfax County businesses reporting optimism about the current state, these conversations are more critical now than ever. Read Frank Kuhns’ recap on LinkedIn to learn more about the key conversations they held.
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Join Us on the ESHIP Commons!
ESHIP Commons is a space for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders and organizations to connect, collaborate, and co-create solutions that expand access to entrepreneurship. Please join this Digital and In-Person Community Platform and get involved!
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Have News to Share?
Let us know! We love to celebrate our network successes and amplify inspirational applications of ecosystem building and entrepreneurship-led economic development. You can email us at hello@joinsourcelink.com.
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Visit our Calendar of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Events to discover more information on these events and other conversations just on the horizon.
- June is Pride Month
- Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Program & Conference, June 3 - 6
- USASBE 2026 Rural Entrepreneurship Symposium, June 9 - 11
- Beyond Jobs: Rethinking KPIs for Modern Investment Attraction, June 2
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Click on the icons above to find out how SourceLink can help you strengthen your entrepreneurial community.
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