Ewing Marion Kauffman was known to advise that “…if you want to help an entrepreneur, you have to be entrepreneurial yourself.” Over 20 years ago Jay Kayne, then with the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, impressed this concept firmly in my mind. It made sense then and makes sense now.
More recently, Andy Stoll with the
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation made an equally important statement: “entrepreneurial talent is universal, entrepreneurial ecosystems are not.” Based on decades of field work across North America, I believe Andy has this one right as well. Today’s embrace of entrepreneurial ecosystem building is profoundly important to the future success of communities large and small across our country.
This past May, the Kauffman Foundation and its national resource partners hosted another Eship Summit. The first summit focused on “discovery,” the second summit focused on “design,” and this third summit focused on “delivery.” Throughout this process the Kauffman Foundation and numerous partners have curated an
Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building Playbook 3.0. Seven goals and numerous action items have evolved through this open-sourced and collaborative process: Inclusive Field; Collaborative Culture; Shared Vision; Connected Networks; Practical Metrics and Methods; Universal Support; and Sustainable Work.
Make time this summer to study the Playbook and add these materials to your reading list!
Don Macke