Reaching Memphis’ Entrepreneurs: Epicenter Ensures Access for All
For many entrepreneurship hubs and economic development organizations, it can be surprisingly challenging to connect with the people they’re trying to help.
Epicenter Memphis faced this very problem—and their solution might surprise you.
Memphis, like many other American cities, has a bustling downtown. But there is often a disconnect between the […]
Reinventing Economic Development: Creatives As Entrepreneurs
Seven years ago, leaders of an arts organization in Birmingham, Alabama saw a serious opportunity to impact their local economy—but it meant reinventing themselves.
Originally established in 2004 as the Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham, Create Birmingham is the only local agency focused on Birmingham’s creative industries. […]
Wheeling, West Virginia Made their Main Street Relevant with Entrepreneurship. Learn how Your Community can do the Same.
Read on to learn how Wheeling Heritage leveraged entrepreneurship to create more than 2,000 new jobs and reduce their building vacancy rate by half.
The Businesses We Can Save
Let’s face the facts: COVID-19 has wrecked many small businesses. One of the saddest experiences of 2020 (aside from the sickness, heartbreak, and grief this pandemic has inflicted on us) has been walking along a street you used to know well—whether in a large city or a small town main street—and seeing the shutters. Craving a meal from […]
From Florida to Colorado: Economic Development and Entrepreneurship Success Stories
On December 16th from 2:00-3:00 PM EST CO. STARTERS will host “Rethinking Economic Development: How SOAR is Training Entrepreneurs to Restart Eastern Kentucky”, a free webinar that will share how Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) is […]
Focusing on Entrepreneurship Leads to New Businesses and Jobs in Eastern Kentucky
Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) is helping the region rethink its approach to economic development by empowering, training, and supporting local entrepreneurs.
Community Spotlight: Epicenter Memphis // Memphis, TN
“Our work would be literally impossible if we didn’t have such a strong community of existing entrepreneurs that want to give back and offer their support,” Taylor shared. “Everyone in Memphis is always looking to give back. It’s an amazing city.”
Creating Connections for Struggling Businesses through the Refocus Workshop
How Pasco EDC's SMARTstart used the CO.STARTERS Refocus business recovery workshop to reach unsupported entrepreneurs in their community and connect them to vital support.
Clearing a Path Toward Equity Through Entrepreneurship
How Forward Cities worked with CO.STARTERS to help community builders at The Corner in New Kensington, PA provide more equitable entrepreneurship opportunities for local residents.
Serving the Underserved: The Commons on Champa // Denver, Colorado
From providing a tech hub to those without access to technology, to workshops designed to engage female entrepreneurs, to offering our very own CO.STARTERS Core program to the city, The Commons on Champa truly embodies the CO.STARTERS mission.
Addressing the Gaps: Auckland University of Technology // Auckland, New Zealand
Sabrina Nagel and the entrepreneurship team team at Auckland University of Technology are proving the value of CO.STARTERS for everyone—especially college students. Check out the work they’re doing.
Building a Front Door for Entrepreneurs through a Wayfinding Program
How The Company Lab (CO.LAB) used a Wayfinding program for early-stage entrepreneurs to position themselves as the front door for entrepreneurs in their community.
Fighting for our Soldiers: Action Zone // Tampa, Florida
It can be extremely difficult for Veterans to find the support they need upon re-entering civilian life. Our friends at Action Zone are doing the incredible work of supplying the proper support and tools to this often overlooked demographic.
Challenging Underestimation Through Teenpreneurship: Y.E.S. // Dade City, Florida
“CO.STARTERS Generator was the only option left standing, given [my] needs for accessibility. The modular nature of Generator was especially appealing, and the bright, colorful layout of the binder was a bonus too.”
Innovation as Equity: Innovate Springfield // Springfield, Illinois
“CO.STARTERS has been great for us to meet our community where it is. We were running our own program before, and members who found the old program frustrating had their lightbulbs go off when they went through CO.STARTERS.” -Sarah Beth Ayers, Business Incubation Program Coordinator at Innovate Springfield
Restoration through Preservation: Wheeling Heritage // Wheeling, West Virginia
"This past decade, a renaissance of creativity, adventure, and local pride has taken hold of Wheeling."
Community Spotlight: Opportunity Lynchburg // Lynchburg, VA
"CO.STARTERS has given us a platform for entrepreneurs to connect with one another, building community pride and resources for sustained growth."
Community Spotlight: Launch NOLA // New Orleans, LA
"In addition to coming alongside entrepreneurs through programming, Launch NOLA provides affordable coworking space where graduates can continue to connect."
Putting Microlending into Practice: A Community Case Study
By Rich Bailey
Many small businesses believe that bank loans aren’t a viable financing option for them. However, there is a lesser known but well established option that is much more accessible — the microloan.
Lending in small […]
Community Spotlight: Aspin Group // Brisbane, Australia
"Working across a large range of professional entities, Aspin Group has become a network for entrepreneurs in the greater small business community."
Community Spotlight: Innovation Collaborative // Erie, PA
“After year one of CO.STARTERS implementation, we’ll have held three cohorts of 7–16 people each, all of whom are still pursuing their ideas,”