Unlock the potential of people and place.

Join a growing network of communities thriving through entrepreneurship.

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COLLABORATION.
CONNECTION.
COMMUNITY.

CO.STARTERS powers vibrant communities by equipping starters and leaders with the strategy, tools, and relationships needed to thrive.

OUR IMPACT

Together, the CO.STARTERS network is transforming people and businesses one community at a time.

Learn more about the vision and philosophy at the core of our collective work.

Why CO.STARTERS?

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communities equipped

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starters supported

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female founders

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graduate confidence

View 2018 Impact Summary

OUR WORK

CO.STARTERS works at the intersection of economic and community development to connect local leaders and starters with global networks and resources.

Learn more about the ways we support communities.

How We Help

STARTERS

Tools for launching

We help people with ideas turn their dreams into reality and grow successful businesses.

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COMMUNITIES

Strategies for growth

We help grassroots leaders find the best solutions to support starters and build local ecosystems.

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PARTNERS

Power in collaboration

We help networks around the globe find ways to work smarter together for the greatest good.

Work With Us

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BUSINESS LAUNCHING PROGRAM

CO.STARTERS Core

Our foundational program is a multi-week, cohort-based program that equips entrepreneurs of all kinds with the insights, relationships, and tools needed to turn ideas into action.

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ECOSYSTEM SKILLS MODEL

Community Roles in Ecosystem Building

A framework that help leaders identify skillsets in themselves and others that are key to ecosystem building.

Free Download
ECOSYSTEM GROWTH MODEL

Stages of Community Growth

A model that helps identify the most effective activities for any stage of entrepreneurial ecosystem growth and connect communities to the resources that will help them most.

Download the Model
BUSINESS IDEA MAP

CO.STARTERS Canvas

CO.STARTERS uses a version of the “Business Model Canvas” developed by Alexander Osterwalder to help starters develop workable business models. This intuitive visual map helps founders understand, test, and refine their ideas.

Download the Canvas
YOUTH IDEATION PROGRAM

CO.STARTERS Generator

CO.STARTERS Generator™ is a modular version of the Core program that helps teens explore their passions through generating, testing, and launching ideas.

Contact Us to Learn More

OUR NETWORK

CO.STARTERS is a growing network of ecosystem builders supporting a wide variety of entrepreneurs.

Meet our members and the communities they support.

Who We Are

CO.STARTERS is helping immensely in building the community of entrepreneurs in Erie. The relationships that come out of this experience for each participant are very valuable, from their peers in the cohort to the service providers and the subject matter experts that share with them each week.

Beth Zimmer, Erie, Pennsylvania

Bringing CO.STARTERS to La Crosse has brought new energy and excitement to the startup ecosystem in our community and it has allowed a bunch of entrepreneurs to gain access to cutting-edge effective material in a universally understandable format.

Andrew Londre, La Crosse, Wisconsin

CO.STARTERS has given us a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with one another, building community pride and resources for sustained growth.

Anna Bentson, Lynchburg, Virginia

I could not have imagined a more beneficial and seamless fit with our mission of creative industries support than the CO.STARTERS curriculum. It feels tailor-made for our constituents.

Buddy Palmer, Birmingham, Alabama

…the power of this growing global community…is a wonderful strength…

Margaret Aspin, Brisbane, Australia

CO.STARTERS brings, not only a practical, lean startup curriculum, in plain English, but a true community development vehicle that brings together the whole community…to help aspiring entrepreneurs validate their ideas and get started.

Antonio Montoya, Huntsville, Alabama