What it Takes to Build a National Startup Ecosystem: Startup America Regional Summit, June 2012
By Donna Harris, Managing Director, Startup Regions, @dharrisindc
Today, over 100 startup champions from nearly 30 states will gather in Boulder, Colorado to join the Startup America Summit. The Summit is two days of full-on collaboration — everything from presentations, discussions and breakouts, to one-minute pitches from all of the regions on what they are doing to make their communities stronger.
Nearly all of these Regional Champions are successful entrepreneurs, and their startup credentials are incredible. They've run an average of 3.3 companies each, collectively raised over $4 billion in capital, and created 32,000 jobs through their startup activity. What's more, for every one company this group has founded, they've mentored 20 more entrepreneurs! Startup America Regional Champions know what it takes to build high growth companies, and they are committed to helping others achieve the same levels of success.
Startups are the engine of our economy. The Startup America Regional Champions believe that every community across the US has the potential to be a great place to build a high-growth company. As entrepreneurs, we welcome a challenge – we’re risk-takers and we love to try new things. We know that working together is the only way we can eliminate many of the barriers that prevent startups from reaching their full potential. Today's Startup America Summit is about just that – collaboration and idea sharing.
There is incredible power in working together, reaching across geographic boundaries, and thinking like a national ecosystem rather than as people coming from dozens of individual states. I for one am excited for the next two days and proud to be part of this movement. Together, let's Startup America!
Be a part of the action! Follow @startupamerica on Twitter, and join the buzz using #startupamerica and #summit. Also check out our Facebook for photos of the action!
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