🌱 Our Ecosystem Assumptions Are All Wrong

We like to talk about “entrepreneurship ecosystems” — startup hubs, pitch nights, accelerators, directories. But let’s be real: most of these aren’t ecosystems at all. They’re just piles of stuff that mainly benefit the already privileged. 🚫

If we want true innovation, we need to rethink how we build environments that help all entrepreneurs thrive — not just the few.

👩‍💼 Necessity vs. Opportunity Entrepreneurs

Not every founder launches a business out of passion or opportunity. Many do it out of necessity. And those entrepreneurs face tougher odds, especially when it comes to funding.

Education and experience can sometimes offset this disadvantage — but not because degrees magically make people more innovative. It’s often because of something else…

🤝 The Power of Weak Ties

Research shows that “weak ties” — acquaintances, casual connections, professional networks — are the biggest drivers of new opportunities. Yet, entrepreneurs from marginalized backgrounds often have mostly strong ties (family, close friends) and little access to those wider circles.

Without weak ties, networking events don’t open doors — they shut them. And too many founders walk away discouraged.

🌍 Lessons from Ecosystem Restoration

Here’s the kicker: in nature, fixing a broken ecosystem isn’t about recreating some mythical past. It’s about asking what are we trying to achieve here?

That same principle applies to entrepreneurship. If we want healthy, diverse, thriving ecosystems, we need to decide what we’re actually building for — and design accordingly.

If this resonates, let’s go deeper:
📚 Buy our books
📰 Subscribe to Future Here Now on Substack
🎤 Invite us for speaking or workshops

Let’s stop stacking programs — and start cultivating ecosystems that truly work. 🚀

#FutureOfEntrepreneurship #InclusiveInnovation #EcosystemBuilding #BeyondStartups #FutureHereNow