Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

We are committed to helping revitalization professionals lead and develop initiatives that support innovative entrepreneurship.

Sustainable, Robust Local Economies

In cities and towns across the country, fostering entrepreneurship has become a key component to most economic development strategies. And while different types of entrepreneurs have different needs, there is a common framework of conditions and supports that are particularly conducive to a thriving entrepreneurial culture. Taken together, these conditions and supports are frequently referred to as Entrepreneurial Ecosystems.

This resource center was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

How can Main Streets play a role?

Successful Entrepreneurial Ecosystems depend on cross-sector partnerships and collaboration. Main Street programs are in a prime position to convene key partners to assess gaps and opportunities within the local ecosystem.

Additionally, the importance of place is often missing from the dialogue around Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. Main Streets are well-positioned to bring this place-based perspective to the table and help ensure that entrepreneurship support strategies leverage the distinct sense of place that makes your commercial district unique.

Learn more in our publication Entrepreneurial Ecosystems and the Role of Commercial Districts.

While Entrepreneurial Ecosystem building has been cultivated organically in many technology hubs like Silicon Valley, there is an acute need for tools to assist this process in communities with more limited resources and capacity. To further the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem building movement, MSA developed a self-guided training for communities that walks local leaders through a series of inputs designed to build a greater understanding of the current entrepreneurship support system.

Not able to view?

Members must be logged in to view the self-guided training manual.

Not a member and want to view? Let us know and we will provide you with the training manual along with a few other sample member resources.
Learn more about Main Street America membership here.

NON-MEMBERS CLICK HERE

Additional Resources

Main Street Business Insights Podcast

Our Chief Program Officer Matt Wagner hosts a weekly podcast featuring downtown and neighborhood entrepreneurs succeeding along Main Street. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more.

Technical Assistance

Our Field Services team provides on-the-ground Entrepreneurial Ecosystem development services, which can be customized to meet your needs. Our team is also available virtually. Learn more.

MSA Publications

MSA Blogs

Digital Commerce is Changing Main Streets... Could It Be For The Better? - Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.
Get Used to It: The Pivot Is Not Going Away - Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.
Pop-Up Retail: Not Just For Start-Ups, And Other Learnings From Its Evolution - Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.
Jump off the Business Recruitment Train: The Real Returns are in Cultivating Local Entrepreneurship - Matthew Wagner, Ph.D.

Listen

Breaking Down Barriers podcast with Matthew Wagner, Ph.D. (read a summary here.)

This resource center was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems