This model is a work-in-progress being developed to help formulate real world solutions togrow the entrepreneurial ecosystem/community in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Iowa, USA. It is based on research and real world success in New Orleans, Omaha, Kansas City, Boulder, Nashville and Des Moines (similar cities). It is meant to be a broad based model that can be used to implement location-specific solutions that takes into account local resources and conditions in your city. Feedback, constructive criticism and comments are welcome and encouraged. I am available to present, share or discuss this at your event, organization, conference or individually. Please contact me at andy@stoll.net

1. creating a grassroots community & culture of entrepreneurship + creativity + innovation
startup community alchemy
laying a brick-by-brick foundation to connect and grow a successful high-growth entrepreneurial ecosystem
Throughout the process we must TELL A STORY & CREATE CONVERSATIONS that share a “positive vision focusing on the
opportunities of the future,” not rehashing the problems and limitation of the past.
Connect
Resources
(Focus on building the social fabric)
youmg
profs
(Entities should focus on THREE
strategies to build the social fabric)
Mary
ENTREP
economic
devlpmnt
CVB
social
venue
Joe
ENTREP
workforce
dvlpmnt
ENTREP
ENTREP
ENTREP
highlight & celebrate
current and emerging
entrepreneurs (help
people identify as
entrepreneurs &
realize they are
not alone)
ENTREP
creatives
ENTREP
attorney
ENTREP
startup
established
company
(entities & their
circle of influence)
City of
incubator/
tech transfer
arts
promote
media
orange = social fabric
1
The movement must be centered around and led by entrepreneurs, so
first, gather the entrepreneurs & begin to connect them amongst themselves.
2
opportunities to try
incentivize leaping
mentoring & coaching
incubators/accelerators
access to people & $$$
people with businesses
5
The social fabric must grow organically.
it can not be
made by‘decree’
The effort does NOT create a new entity (no new circles), so everyone
gets to keep their identity & circles of influence.
A thriving “community” is built over a long period of time by small FORMAL &
INFORMAL groups of excited people, organized around local ideas & issues
(meetups, angel funds, coworking spaces, accelerators, startups), that also build
the social fabric around and amongst the entrepreneurs and the people that
support them.
Brad Feld’s Principles of a Vibrant Startup Community
1) Led by entrepreneurs
2) Has a long term commitment (20 years from today)
3) Fosters a philosophy of inclusiveness
4) Engages the entire entrepreneurial stack
SOURCE: Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
in Your City by Brad Feld (Wiley)
(Entrepreneurial Infrastructure)
(talent)
higher education
K-12 schools
conferences
skills training
internships
mentoring
build better teams
$
(support services)
highlight existing events &
experiment with new creative
opportunities that mix people (both
offline & online) in an attempt
to“engineer” serendipitous connections
between ideas, people and resources
Encourage entities to contribute resources to the movement, by building &
tightening the social fabric around the entrepreneurs & amongst exisiting entities.
(Social fabric, by its nature, CAN be open, non-exclusive, organic & limitless.)
3
4
Build
create processes to attract,
retain & develop...
inspiration
grow positive public opinion,
desire & understanding of a
high-growth entrepreneurial
& creative community
participate
& connect
$$$
Want-repreneurs to Entrepreneurs
{
{
schools
Funnel
bunch of people with
ideas and resources
identify
{
entrep
center
artist
regional entrep
ecosystem
national/world
entrep
ecosystem
Mix
V17
Cultivate a
Culture of
- Collaboration
- Introduction
- Invitation
- Risk-Taking
- Mentoring
professional services
creative services
healthy legal systems
angel & venture capital
innovations centers
technology resources
coworking spaces
incubators/accelerators
(ideas)
information sharing
pitch sessions
mentoring
incubators/accelerators
opportunity for spin-offs
research parks
tech transfer
(quality of life)
authentic culture
public transportation
arts & culture
distinct neighborhoods
vibrant social scene
green public spaces
easy commutes
good schools
low cost of living
This model builds upon the work and input of
Robert Putnam, Richard Florida, Peter Block, Sarah Lacy,
Steven Johnson, Jeff Slobotski, Dusty Davidson, Steve
Blank, Silicon Prairie News, Robbie Vitrano, Tim
Williamson, Chris Schultz, Idea Village NOLA, Tom
Chapman, Nick Seguin, The Radlhauptstadt München
Campaign, Brad Feld, Scott Case, Michael Burcham,
the James Gang and many others...
PRODUCED BY
Created by Seed Here Studio, Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Iowa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0
Send feedback and thoughts to andy@seedherestudio.com