As IEDC looks to the future of economic development, entrepreneurship is a central theme. Entrepreneurship-led economic development has continued to grow post-pandemic, providing new pathways for economic vitality in communities and countries of all sizes while driving solutions to problems in every region of the world.
With support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and in partnership with SourceLink, IEDC is pleased to offer the Entrepreneurship Development Professional (EDP) certification.
The EDP certification is the first of its kind, providing a roadmap for the economy of the future; reliant upon data, collaboration, and driven by innovation among entrepreneurs and small businesses. This certification showcases equitable collaboration and inclusion for all, while offering new metrics to measure entrepreneurship’s contribution to vibrant economies.
Take the first step in earning your
Entrepreneurship Development Professional Certification
Get connected with the team to learn more and develop your plan. Reach out to Mo Collins, Sr. Director of Entrepreneurship at [email protected] or Chris Colan, Sr. Certification Program Associate at [email protected]. Make 2025 your year to lead in the field.
If your organization delivers debt or equity capital, provides technical assistance or networking to entrepreneurs, this certification is a must. Resource providers will gain an understanding of the unique needs of entrepreneurs at different stages of their business life cycle.
Early Career Economic Development Professionals
While this certification requires prerequisites, key takeaways include a baseline understanding of the entrepreneurial stack, asset mapping strategies and best practices, and tools for measuring the progress of an ecosystem. Many early career professionals earn their EDP, then IEDC's Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) certification.
Seasoned Economic Development Professionals
Entrepreneurship-led economic development builds upon the field of economic development, enhancing the learned experience and expertise of the seasoned economic development professional in today’s shifting economy. The EDP certification compliments the CEcD.
Ecosystem Community Builders
For those working on the ground in their community to build collaborative entrepreneur support organization networks, entrepreneur connections and referrals, enhance resources and develop place-based strategies to recruit talent and innovators, this certification will deliver a roadmap for how successful ecosystems emerge and evolve.
Academics
Higher education practitioners will learn and engage in emerging areas of entrepreneurship through current research, white papers, and other resources in the field.