How Do You Measure an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem?
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Over the past 3 monthly newsletters, we've explored different aspects of e-ecosystems. In May, we featured the e-ecosystem conversations in New York's North Country. June's focus was on markers for identifying community readiness for an e-ecosystem. Last month we highlighted examples of what communities are doing to get started and build e-ecosystems. We also shared answers to the question: If you had $1 million a year forever to invest in your community's entrepreneurial ecosystem, how would you invest it? This month we're sharing tools and resources for developing an effective measurement system for an e-ecosystem. On day two of the Growing Entrepreneurial Communities Summit in Kansas City last May, the following speakers shared their ideas on how to measure an e-ecosystem. You can download their presentations by clicking the links below:
At the Center, we also view measurement as a key to building more sustainable systems, especially when the data is presented in a way that addresses the outcomes that stakeholders are seeking. We supplement our research and assessments with a variety of value-added tools and resources such as webinars, institutes and one-on-one consultations to help communities use data to drive decision making and impact. For more information on the Center's research tools, assessments and value-added services, you can visit any of the following pages:
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Other Center News
For three years, the Center, in partnership with the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group, has worked with the Community Foundation of West Texas (formerly the Lubbock Area Foundation) to strengthen its work with rural communities in its 14-county area. Follow this link to view sample community reports produced for the Foundation and its communities. We are pleased to announce that we will be launching Phase 2 of this engagement work in the fall, with a goal of energizing community philanthropy throughout the West Texas Region. Contact Don Macke ( don@e2mail.org) to learn more.
The latest issue of our Advancing CDP Newsletter - published in partnership with the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group - features a compelling presentation by Kelly Ryan, Incourage Foundation, about making communities work for all. Find the newsletter here. Last month at a Vision West North Dakota workshop, Don Macke presented strategies for transferring knowledge between three generations: Boomers, Gen X and Millennials. Watch the television interview and contact don@e2mail.org for more information. Dick Gardner is a long-time friend and Fellow with the Center. We are deeply saddened to share the news that Dick's wife Susan has passed away. Please join us in thinking of Dick and his family at this time of loss.
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Field News
Register now for the Heartland Center's Annual Institute, Helping Small Towns Succeed, October 11-13 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This year's institute marks the 30th anniversary of the Heartland Center so plan to join your peers in this great learning and networking event.
Check out Erik Page's Entrepreneurial Research Round-Up in his latest blog post.
Uplift America is a partnership between government, philanthropy and finance to address rural poverty by creating greater access to capital in rural places. To learn more about how this new collaboration might benefit the communities and entrepreneurs with which you work, go to upliftAmerica. Read this excellent post by Chris Gibbons on the importance of innovation, not tariffs, to creating new jobs, higher incomes and wealth in this country.
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On the Road
Deb Markley will be in...
- Washington, DC September 8-9 to participate in the first meeting of the Rural Innovators Group
- Michigan September 12-16 with the Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group doing community meetings for work with the Fremont Area Foundation
- Lincoln, NE September 27-30 for staff meetings and work with the UNL Community Prosperity Collaborative
- Arizona, August 8-12 for presentations to the Arizona Rural Council 2016 Rural Policy Forum
- Maryland, September 8 for the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Summit hosted by the College of Southern Maryland
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Center Tools
Ines Polonius talks about how she has used the Center's research tools in her work in Arkansas in this short video. Join our YouTube channel after watching to get our newest videos!
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Fellow of the Month
Cathy Kottwitz, Senior Fellow for Community Development Philanthropy, is a new Center Fellow but not new to the Center. Cathy worked on the first iteration of the Center's TOW scenario model and re-joined the TOW team about a year ago. Cathy brings great modeling and technical skills to the Center's CDP work. She also has the entrepreneurial spirit, recently launching her own consulting business, Guiderock Commercial Realty ( www.guiderockrealty.com). It's great to have Cathy back in the Center's family.
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