How to Unlock Local Entrepreneurial Potential for Economic Growth
By Founder Institute
Online event
Description
Entrepreneurship is the single biggest driver of job creation, GDP growth, and social mobility. Yet, most economic development strategies focus on scaling the few breakout startups rather than cultivating the vast pool of untapped entrepreneurial talent.Drawing on The longest and most comprehensive study on the social science of entrepreneurship (16+ years), this session introduces the Startup Economic Development Playbook: a practical framework for unlocking entrepreneurial potential in your region and translating it into measurable outcomes.
What You'll Learn:
- Why startups, not corporations, create nearly all net new jobs — and how to capture this impact locally.
- The 5-step rule (Educate → Identify → Activate → Accelerate → Scale) that governments, chambers, and cities can use to build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems.
- How to quantify entrepreneurial potential using data-driven insights from 16+ years of research.
- The key entrepreneurial traits (curiosity, perseverance, self-reliance) that drive success, and how to develop them in your community.
- How regions can leverage their unique strengths instead of trying to be “the next Silicon Valley.”
- Why early-stage support and mindset development matter more than skills training alone.
- How to activate new funders and capital sources to sustain ecosystem growth.
About the Speaker:
- Jonathan Greechan - Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute - Jonathan Greechan is the Co-Founder & CEO of the Founder Institute, the world's largest pre-seed startup accelerator. Since 2009, he has grown and scaled the organization to chapters in over 200 cities and 90 countries, producing over 7000 portfolio companies with nearly $2B in venture funding. In his long career in tech and marketing, Jonathan has advised thousands of startups on marketing, growth, and product strategy and has spoken at startup conferences on four continents.
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for Economic Development Officers, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and City Leaders who want actionable strategies to create jobs, retain talent, attract investment, and take visible credit for regional growth.
This session is designed for Economic Development Officers, Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, and City Leaders who want actionable strategies to create jobs, retain talent, attract investment, and take visible credit for regional growth.
Additional Resources:
Find more Startup Events, learn about the Entrepreneur DNA test or sign up for the Insights Newsletter to get the latest startup tips and trends.
About Founder Institute:
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
The Founder Institute is the world’s most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups, and startups into global businesses. Since 2009, our structured accelerator programs have helped over 7,000 entrepreneurs raise over $1.75BN in funding. Based in Silicon Valley and with chapters across 100 countries, our mission is to empower communities of talented and motivated people to build impactful technology companies worldwide.
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Highlights
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Online
Location
Online event
Organized by
Founder Institute
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