How-To: Build a Startup Ecosystem

“How can we be the next Silicon Valley?”

I’ve been asked this or heard this question many times in the past few years and I spoke briefly about it in a Twitter thread a few weeks ago. This question has really piqued my interest in thinking about the special ingredients to a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Now, I know this seems slightly off topic for a newsletter on the impact of Gen Z. But, as we’ve seen with the rise of remote or hybrid work, it’s important to think about what this generation values and is looking for in a city to move to.

So, I’ve had a number of conversations with folks from all around the country, but particularly in smaller cities and here’s what I’ve learned:

You need the right environment.

I know this seems obvious, but it’s important to have a few key things when attempting to put your city or town on the map for entrepreneurs. Sometimes, it takes creativity to check these boxes, but isn’t that what entrepreneurship is all about?

The next big startup hubs will have:

Access to Young Talent

Being adjacent to a top university, or collection of schools, is important to attracting new hires and creating a culture of youth and innovation. This process can be cyclical, as more young…