Fostering an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the Upstate

A special presentation by the premier entrepreneur support and research organization in the US, the Marion Ewing Kauffman Foundation.

Wednesday, November 28th | AC Hotel Spartanburg 
Keynote Luncheon, Afternoon Workshop & Social

 Ten at the Top, in partnership with the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to present Fostering an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the Upstate, a program designed to build regional entrepreneurial ecosystems by cultivating connections and a culture that unlocks entrepreneurial talent.

The program will begin with a thought-provoking keynote on People are the New Companies: Entrepreneurial-Led Economic Development presented by Andy Stoll of the Kauffman Foundation.  This luncheon event will provide foundational information on the role entrepreneurship plays in economic development and how ecosystems impact the success of entrepreneurial ventures.  Following the luncheon, Andy will conduct an interactive workshop on the tactics and connections to build and measure our local ecosystems.  Anyone working with or directly supporting entrepreneurs and the ecosystem will benefit.

The day will conclude at RJ Rockers Brewery to continue the learning, collisions and connections at a social sponsored by VentureSouth & VentureCarolina.   

To learn more about the luncheon and workshop please see the session descriptions below.  Registration is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today!

 

Andy Stoll
Senior Program Officer in Entrepreneurship, Kauffman Foundation

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SESSION DESCRIPTIONS 
You may register for one, two or all sessions.

Ecosystem 101: Keynote Luncheon | 12:00 - 1:15 p.m. (Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.)

In this informative and entertaining lunchtime talk, Andy Stoll, Senior Program Officer at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation — one of the world’s leading foundations focused on entrepreneurship -- will share stories and insights into the changing nature of the economy in a 21st century world and the role of entrepreneurs in transforming the local economy, creating jobs, reducing poverty and increasing community vibrancy.

Decades of research shows that entrepreneurship empowers individuals, improves standards of living throughout a community, and creates economic development, wealth, and innovation in the economy. Studies show that new and young companies, which are started by entrepreneurs, are the primary source of job creation in the American economy, and that for every 2% increase in entrepreneurship, we see a corresponding 1% reduction in poverty.

Ecosystem 102: Afternoon Workshop | 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Building on the lunchtime keynote, this interactive workshop will dive deeper into specific tactics and collaborations needed to build a more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem across the Carolinas. This workshop is intended for entrepreneurs, those who support them and anyone interested in building a more robust system of support for entrepreneurs in the region - attendance at the lunchtime keynote is not required, but highly encouraged. The workshop format will primarily use small-group, discussion-based activities in which participants will collaboratively develop actionable next steps to help move the regional entrepreneurial ecosystem forward.

Connect and Collide at RJ Rockers | 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.

After a day of learning and challenging ourselves we will continue the connections and collisions while unwinding at RJ Rockers, a locally-owned brewery.

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Thank you to our partnering organizations.

Register Now!