How do we know what makes a great entrepreneurial ecosystem, and how do we measure it? As technology has developed, the tools for entrepreneurship has changed with it. As an increasingly large portion of the economy has come to depend on the digital economy, policymakers have struggled to attract and support this new generation of entrepreneurs. Existing economic incentives and support provided by local and federal governments have gone unused. Cities and communities have long looked toward successful models like Silicon Valley for a road map to discern the ingredients required to produce great startup ecosystem. While this model has not been replicated, it is not necessary to. In today’s digital economy, one size, or one model does not fit all. Most have relied on quantitative metrics to evaluate their startup ecosystems, but these measures miss some of the key qualitative aspects that are key to understanding how your ecosystem supports entrepreneurial activities. Every community has the potential to be a great startup ecosystem, if they can recognize and build upon their existing strengths.
4. The recipe for each
startup ecosystem
is not the same.
A better
understanding of
it's qualitative
components will
help to identify
what you need to
sustain it
appropriately.
7. SPACE
What spaces are available for your
ecosystem to meet?
1
2
Who can access them?
What are the barriers to access
(costs, group size, transport)?
3
What are they being used for?
Meetups, events, skills training
Who owns the spaces and what is their
objective of the space?
4
9. INCLUSIVENESS
What types of people and
organizations are involved in your
ecosystem?
1
2
Who is participating? Older people,
younger people, women, minorities,
international people, low skilled?
What roles are these individuals
playing? Running events, or sitting in
the corner?
3
What do they have to say about the
inclusiveness of your ecosystem?
4
11. CONNECTIONS
How is your ecosystem connected to
others?
1
2
What connections exist through
events, investors, companies?
What barriers exist connecting your
ecosystem to others?
3
How are you utilizing your diaspora?
4
13. MESSAGE
What is your ecosystem known for?
What is the perception of your
ecosystem from others?
1
How much information about your
ecosystem is accessible?
2
How aligned is your message with
other namebranding/placemaking
efforts?
3
How is this information updated and
who is responsible for it?
4
