Accelerator for America (AFA) and the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) are excited to present the second publication in our two-part series exploring the needs and opportunities to drive more equitable entrepreneurship and small business growth in communities across the U.S. Our first piece, Small Business Capital: A Place-based Approach, published in October 2023, outlined existing disparities and addressed how local governments and place-based philanthropy partnerships can unlock opportunities and pave the way for equitable access to capital for entrepreneurs and small businesses. This piece, Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Lessons from the Field, draws important lessons and current examples in action from local practitioners, funders, and national experts who participated in a series of convenings hosted by AFA and IEDC in January and February 2024.