Shared Vision

Stories & articles related to ESHIP Goal #3: Establish shared outcomes and a common lexicon for our work.

What Motivates Ecosystem Builders?

This post is part of a series featuring highlights from the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building campaign which shone a spotlight on 40+ entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from around the U.S. and abroad between February and September 2020. What motivates individuals with a passion for entrepreneurship to set aside time every month, every week – and […]

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What is an Ecosystem Builder

August 29, 2020

Dozens of ecosystem builders share their perspective on what an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder is, and does. One of the challenges in turning ecosystem building into a recognized profession is the lack of a recognized definition for what it is and what an ecosystem builder is. The Kauffman Foundation’s ESHIP Goal 3 recognizes this as an […]

Builder Spotlight Original Content Shared Vision Unsung Heroes

Unsung Hero Spotlight: Mara Hardy

To you, what is an Ecosystem Builder? An Ecosystem Builder is a listener, connector, convener, and doer. They listen to what the actors in the ecosystem need, want, and hope for now and in the future. They facilitate connections between people, resources, and services. They bring people together to share insights, experiences, and stories and […]

Builder Spotlight Original Content Shared Vision Unsung Heroes

Unsung Hero Spotlight: Rodney Woods

To you, what is an Ecosystem Builder? Ecosystem building isn’t likely the term I used when I set out on this journey over a decade ago. I simply saw needs that had major gaps in resources and set out to “connect dots.” And where we couldn’t penetrate wholly and systemically some needed resources, we decided […]

Builder Spotlight Original Content Shared Vision Unsung Heroes

Unsung Hero Spotlight: David Jay

To you, what is an Ecosystem Builder? Someone who skillfully and strategically builds and grows relationships to impact complex problems in unpredictable, positive ways. What motivates you as an ecosystem builder? I started a powerful international social movement when I was 18, I’ve seen the power of movement-building firsthand and want the world to celebrate […]

Builder Spotlight Original Content Shared Vision Unsung Heroes

Unsung Hero Spotlight: Jordan Walbesser

To you, what is an Ecosystem Builder? An Ecosystem Builder is a community switchboard and a triage nurse all in one. They create a sustainable network through active listening to identify the problem followed by determining who best in the community can help solve the problem. They uplift the entire community through education (experiential and […]

Original Content Shared Vision Unsung Heroes

Shared Vision: Establish shared outcomes and a common lexicon for our work: ESHIP Goal 3

April 19, 2020

In a nutshell: As practitioners of ecosystem builders, we are developing a new profession. In this endeavor, many of us are creating new concepts and vocabulary and discovering new applications and possibilities for our work. While we share similar aspirations to help entrepreneurs, we often find collaboration with each other challenging because our desired outcomes […]