Make Startups: The Podcast

In this first of two episodes on Baltimore's ecosystem, we sit down with Paulo Gregory, founder of Cohado and ecosystem builder spearheading the Black Butterfly Network in Baltimore. We explore how he is transforming the city's entrepreneurial landscape by focusing on collaboration and community-building. Highlights: - Why collaboration, not competition, is the key to sustainable business growth. - The unique challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in Baltimore and how they’re overcoming them. - How flexible funding models can support small businesses without crushing debt. Join us as we explore how Paulo’s approach is reshaping entrepreneurship and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive future for startups! Invite us to your city! We’re visiting 24 startup communities to share their stories and the lessons they offer for ecosystem builders across the nation. Let’s build thriving ecosystems together. SIGN UP HERE: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...⁠ Thank you for supporting our mission to empower entrepreneurs and transform startup ecosystems nationwide. ❤️ #entrepreneurship #ecosystembuilding #startupecosystem #communityempowerment #baltimore

In this episode, we sit down with Mark Lawrence, managing partner of Incubate, to explore how he’s reshaping entrepreneurial ecosystems through community-driven economic empowerment. From building innovation hubs at local community colleges to creating spaces where minority entrepreneurs can thrive, Mark shares insights on how to foster broad-based entrepreneurship that impacts underserved communities. Highlights: Insights into the difference between entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems.The role of real estate development in supporting entrepreneurs.How anchor institutions and local communities can collaborate to drive growth. Join us to learn how these strategies are making a real impact in places often overlooked by traditional economic development. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities, sharing their unique stories and the lessons they offer for ecosystem builders nationwide. Let’s shape a more inclusive future for entrepreneurship together. SIGN UP HERE: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...⁠ Thank you for supporting our mission to empower entrepreneurs and transform startup ecosystems across the country. ❤️ #entrepreneurship #ecosystembuilding #startupecosystem #communitydevelopment

Discover the impact of the NSF Engines Program on regional growth! Grace and Eric had the privilege of sitting down with Thyaga Nandagopal, Division Director for the Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE) at the National Science Foundation, to talk about this new initiative that your organization should be considering. In this interview, we find out answers to all the big questions: - What is the state of the American Innovation Ecosystem? - What is the goal of the NSF Engines program? - What types of organizations should consider applying? - What is the NSF looking for in successful applications? - How is the NSF measuring success? (hint: the goal is unlocking over $1Bn in your region) - How can smaller regions be competitive? Don’t miss the chance to change the game for your region, and let us know how we can help. Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... #startups #startupecosystem #innovation #ESO #regionalinnovation

Do you want to know how the Small Business Administration (SBA) is powering startups? In our latest stop in D.C., we spoke with Brittney Sickler, Director of Ecosystem Development at the SBA. Discover how everything from microloans to major federal funding is driving entrepreneurial success across the nation. Get the inside scoop on innovative funding models and the passionate people behind them. Be sure to like and subscribe so you can follow our journey across America! Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...⁠ If you’d like us to help you Make Startups in your community, visit our website at MakeStartups.org

Can rural startup communities thrive? That’s the question we seek to answer in this episode tour of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Learn about the struggles and successes of entrepreneurs in small towns and find out how the Shenandoah Valley is transforming itself through: Community-driven growth Innovative new funding models Focusing on startup founders as people vs commodities Be sure to subscribe so you can follow our journey across America. Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...⁠If you’d like us to help you Make Startups in your community, visit our website at MakeStartups.org

What does it take to build a supportive startup ecosystem? 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. Highlights: Engaging talks with the drivers of Birmingham’s economic growth. Insights into strategies boosting the local business landscape. Stories of resilience and community from the heart of the Magic City. Join us to see how Birmingham’s entrepreneurs are actively shaping a more inclusive and robust ecosystem. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform entrepreneur support, ecosystem building, and access to capital across the country. ❤️

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. How will his experience in shaping statewide ecosystems translate to building a local startup community? We took a pre-launch tour and sat with Steve where he shared the opportunity that exists to build a unique ecosystem in Suburban Atlanta for founders and investors of all ages. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country. ❤️

Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country. ❤️

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. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country. ❤️

Our first stop on the Make Startups Ecosystem Tour is Reno, NV. For this episode we interviewed Doug Erwin, Senior Vice President at EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada). Afterwards we visited the University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center to participate in a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from across the community and the Nevada Office of Entrepreneurship. What do we talk about in this episode? Watch on and learn about: • How Reno grew venture capital investments from $20m to over $1bn annually • The role of culture in startup community building • Evolving your role from ‘Operator’ to ‘Catalyst’ • The importance of aligning values early • Sourcing and engaging mentors • Leveraging Tesla and other industrial businesses to accelerate a startup ecosystem • Letting go of old programs and adapting over time Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...

This year, we are visiting 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. Before we hit our first city, we had a long drive across Northern California and through the Sierras. What better opportunity to talk about our own experiences and lessons from building startups? In this launch episode we talk about: - The challenges of startup communities - Building a capital stack to support your founders and your organization - What types of data matter - Startup ideology - Next stops - How you can invite us to your city SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: ⁠https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Make_Startups⁠ THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country.

With each episode of Make Startups, we explore the stories of founders, investors, philanthropists, and policy makers. This episode features ⁠John Dearie⁠, President at the ⁠Center for American Entrepreneurship⁠ and Co-Author of “⁠Where the Jobs Are⁠”. We learn about John’s evolution from working at the Federal Reserve, to CEO of the Financial Services Forum, to Founding the Center for American Entrepreneurship. We discuss the importance of startups in America, the role of government, and of capitalism itself. Find out more about the Center for American Entrepreneurship’s Policy Framework and support their critical work by joining Team 500 at ⁠StartupsUSA.org⁠ Produced by Augusta Podcasts Studio

Welcome to Make Startups, where Host Eric Parker talks to real entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world. The topics: All about how to improve YOUR startup experience. This Episode Features a Roundtable with: Congressman Rick Allen - Representative Ga 12thGrace Belangia - Executive Director of TheClubhou.se Chris Crozier - Mobile Mentors Shirlonda Evans-Mclain - Peacing Life Together Eric Harrison - MoonriseLatasha N. Louis - Verbatim & LNL & Co.Jennifer Tinsley - FIELD Prelude Conversation: Eric Parker & David Bash (Augusta Podcasts, LLC) Eric started TheClubhou.se as a way to help Augusta, Georgia build a community of startups. Now, over 8 years later, Eric takes his Silicon Valley & Cyber City experiences to try to help people chart their own path to grow a business. Produced by Augusta Podcasts, LLC