Entrepreneurial ecosystems are places characterized by inclusive environments which support connections, creativity, innovation, and new thinking about old problems. 

The benefits of entrepreneurship-led economic development are profound. Entrepreneurship, for example, builds local wealth—not just for a few people—but for individuals from all socioeconomic backgrounds. In communities where ecosystems are supported there are more overall businesses, which diversifies and insulates the economy from economic flux by reducing single-sector reliance. We know that jobs created by entrepreneurs serve a broader swath of the population’s skills, offering more individuals an opportunity to participate in the economy.

Entrepreneurship creates lovely places, giving residents and visitors unique streetscapes, experiences, and attractive lifestyles. Entrepreneurs are sticky too- they tend to stay and grow where they were founded, in part, because of ecosystem networks built to support them.

Over the past two decades, powerful ecosystems have emerged in places like Austin, Boulder, Miami, and Boston—and more recently in thousands of smaller cities like Reno, Des Moines, and Tampa, and in rural communities like Buda, Texas and Franklin, Tennessee. These places have realigned economic development priorities and funding to accelerate innovation. They aggressively hold up and coordinate programs and resources to support business startup and growth and create novel public-private partnerships to do more, together. While each place leverages its own unique assets, best practices in building ecosystems are now well-established. Communities of all sizes can foster innovation across industry and create the business infrastructure needed for them to thrive in a global economy.

Join an elite number of individuals across the United States who are leading in entrepreneurship led economic development. Earn your Entrepreneurship Development Professional Certification (EDP) from IEDC. Similar to the globally recognized CEcD, this certification is quickly becoming the gold standard in the field. IEDC's EDP certification provides the tools, principles, and best practices associated with ecosystem building throughout the United States. Join IEDC's national network of EDPs and make 2025 your year to lead the field.

For more information on IEDC's EDP certification, reach out to Mo Collins, Sr. Director of Entrepreneurship at [email protected].