Welcome to another week’s roundup of what’s happening in the entrepreneurial ecosystem building universe. Podcasts galore is the dominant theme this week.

NEWS FROM THE FIELD

Shift 5% of Workforce Training Funds to Advance Entrepreneurship

Right to Start founder Victor Hwang advocates shifting 5% of government workforce training funds to support entrepreneurs.

Read more

 

Fostering innovation, value, and progress with Victor W. Hwang, author of The Rainforest

I highly recommend this podcast episode with Victor Hwang, founder of Right to Start. Great primer on innovation and entrepreneurship as economic growth strategies. Great for ecosystem builders to share with their civic & business leaders.

Listen

 

Feds asking how we can grow a more innovative, entrepreneurial USA… and they ARE listening!

Check out Norris Krueger’s latest articles where he shares his comments and suggestions to the National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI). Read more

 

US EDA’s Build To Scale Funding Program

The US EDA’s Build To Scale Funding Program (formerly known as the i6 Grant Program & Seed Support Fund) opened this past week. This $38M matching grant program makes federal funding available to build regional economies through scalable startups. 

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Breaking Down Barriers: Jessica Erickson

Listen in on the Startup Space podcast as they discuss ecosystem building and breaking down barriers with Jessica Erickson, President and CEO of the Longmont Economic Development Partnership, and get insights into the partnership’s approach to building an economic ecosystem that champions businesses and their owners.

Listen

UPCOMING EVENTS

Joint InBIA and CBIA Webinar: Best Practices for Incubation Professionals

This webinar provides entrepreneurial support professionals with information, tools and resources to start or improve a network of qualified mentors.

Date: March 10, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM PST

Learn more

 

IEDC Leadership Summit

The 2021 Leadership Summit will focus on generating conversations, ideas and actions for leaders in economic development to  step boldly into the future with vision and confidence. Keynote address on March 16 by Victor Hwang.

Dates: March 15 – 16

Learn more

 

CommUNITY Growth Summit

gener8tor CommUNITY Growth Summit presents America’s next generation of leaders in startups, the arts and workforce development. gener8tor CommUNITY Growth Summit offers leaders in each of these areas a day of keynotes and presentations focused on the next generation of solutions.

Date: March 30 – April 1

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Virtual Skoll World Forum

Through an inspiring program of plenaries and sessions, we’ll use this moment of virtual convening to examine the unequal impact of the global pandemic and the innovative solutions that aim to build a better future for all. In the spirit of collaboration, many sessions will be curated directly from the social innovation community.

Dates: April 13 – 15

Learn more

 

RuralRISE Broadband Mini-Summit

For rural communities, access to stable and affordable broadband and wireless connectivity continues to be a challenge. Join fellow rural ecosystem builders in the conversation about rural broadband during the 2021 RuralRISE Mini-Summit.

Date: April 15, 2:00 – 5:00 pm Eastern

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InBIA Annual Conference

For 35 years, InBIA’s annual conference – the International Conference on Business Incubation (ICBI) – has been the primary venue for incubation and other entrepreneurial support professionals to share best practices, proven strategies, effective tools and relevant insights with an audience of peers.

Dates: April 26 – 30

Learn more and register

 

RuralRISE Summit 2021

Mark your calendars for the 2021 RuralRISE Summit in Emporia, Kansas!

Dates: September 20 – 21

Learn more

 

 

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