Make Startups Podcast

This episode brings us to the heart of Baltimore's Bromo Arts District. We’re visiting to learn first hand about how new models of grassroots entrepreneur support and ecosystem building are directly impacting communities. What did we discover?

In the fast-paced world of startups, it's easy to get caught up in the race to the top. We often hear about the need to scale quickly, dominate markets, and beat the competition. But what if the future of entrepreneurship isn’t about competition at all? What if it’s about community?

In our latest stop on the Ecosystem Tour, we sat down with Mark Lawrence, managing partner of Inncuvate and a leader in ecosystem building. Mark's work is rooted in Prince George’s County, Maryland, but his impact extends far beyond the local community.

Discover how the NSF's Regional Innovation Engines program aims to transform American innovation ecosystems with $160M over 10 years. Grace and Eric interview Thyaga Nandagopal to explore the goals, application criteria, and success metrics. Learn how your organization can compete and unlock significant funding. Preliminary proposals due August 6, 2024. Don't miss this game-changing opportunity!

Rural American startup communities face unique challenges that require innovative solutions and a dedicated support network. Our latest stop on the Ecosystem Tour took us to Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, where we discovered a region that is not just overcoming these challenges but thriving through community collaboration and forward-thinking initiatives.

In this episode, we travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to uncover its evolving startup ecosystem. This episode dives into the city's entrepreneurial scene, featuring in-depth interviews with local leaders Naila Jackson and Tanesha Sims-Summers. Discover how Birmingham is tackling the challenges of funding access and systemic barriers while leveraging its rich history to foster a supportive environment for startups.

Most of our tour stops are focused on learning about established startup ecosystems, ever wondered what it takes to launch one? In this episode we meet with Steve Justice, former Director of the Georgia Centers of Innovation and Aerospace Engineer, who came out of retirement to launch, Launch Fayette.

Our latest stop on the Ecosystem Tour took us to Sacramento, CA, where we learned about a startup community in transformation. The city is transitioning from a government-centric economy to one that thrives on innovation, particularly in health, agriculture, and clean technology sectors.

Our first stop on the Make Startups Ecosystem Tour is Reno, NV. Like many cities in America, Reno’s past isn’t necessarily how Reno defines itself today. Learn with us as we discover how building a startup community has helped redefine the city.