Each year, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) gathers the world’s most dedicated ecosystem builders in one place – and this year, that place was bold, bustling Indianapolis.
Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), GEC is more than just a conference; it’s a global family reunion for the people behind the scenes of startups, small businesses, and big ideas. With attendees from over 200 countries, 100+ sessions, and a who’s-who of entrepreneurship champions, GEC 2025 delivered four jam-packed days of strategy, storytelling, and spontaneous collisions.
As GEN CEO Jonathan Ortmans noted in his opening remarks:
“Entrepreneurship isn’t just a local game, it’s a global common language. And GEC is about connecting the connectors.”
And connect we did. With thousands of attendees from more than 200 countries, GEN Village abuzz with energy, and standing-room-only keynotes, this year’s event marked a defining moment for the field – and a homecoming for the ecosystem builder family.
For EcoMap, it was extra special to be in Indiana, a state we’ve worked closely with through our partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) on ConnectIND. This was our kind of town – one where collaboration, connectivity, and a touch of Midwestern hustle are at the core of the ecosystem.
From high-level panels to hallway scheming at GEN Village, EcoMap was proud to be in the middle of it all. Here’s just a (non-exhaustive) taste of our GEC experience.
Host City Huddle: Global Host Cities, Assemble!
If there’s one thing we’ve learned from mapping ecosystems, it’s that connection multiplies opportunity – and we saw that in action during the Host City Huddle, a happy hour we co-hosted alongside our friends at Kansas Commerce, Right to Start, and AltCap.
With the 2026 global tournament on the horizon, this gathering brought together representatives from host cities to ask a shared question: How can we help small businesses seize this once-in-a-generation moment?
From playbooks for neighborhood placemaking to strategies for inclusive procurement, it was a cross-sector conversation fueled by a love of small business, soccer, and maybe one or two local brews. Entrepreneurship doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It thrives in moments of visibility, urgency, and support.
With cities across North America preparing for the tournament, we facilitated a conversation on how to make sure local small businesses are ready to meet the moment. And with only a year to go until the 2026 North American championship, it’s not too early to start thinking about how you’ll do the same.
EcoMap’s Session: Mapping Ecosystems, Moving the Needle
Our CEO, Sherrod Davis, led a packed session titled “Building Connected Ecosystems: Real-World Case Studies in Entrepreneur Support.” This wasn’t another theoretical panel; it was a deep dive into what happens when tech, data, and human relationships collide for good.
Joined by Morgan Allen (IEDC), Taylor Overton (Kansas Department of Commerce), and Chad Renando (GEN Australia), the panel traced how each of their regions used ecosystem mapping to:
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- Build intentional structures for entrepreneur support
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- Translate data into policy, funding, and strategy
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- Uncover and address gaps in access, geography, and capacity
A few of our favorite quotes of the session:
“We had an epiphany – there was nowhere people could go to find these resources. Everything lived in stale spreadsheets.” – Morgan Allen
“In Kansas, we weren’t starting from scratch … we were already doing ecosystem work. The challenge was creating a shared language and framework so we could scale it intentionally, not just organically.” – Taylor Overton
“The map is not the outcome. The conversation is the outcome you’re after.” – Chad Renando
From Indiana’s Navigator Program to Kansas’ ESO Maturity Model, the session made it clear: real impact requires human connection, intentional design, and data that doesn’t just sit pretty – it moves people.
ESHIP Alliance Relaunch: Roots and Rebirth
On June 1, the ESHIP Alliance officially re-launched, marking a milestone for the field. For many in attendance, it felt like a full-circle moment – and for us at EcoMap, it was deeply personal.
Our late Co-Founder and CEO, Pava LaPere, was a founding member of the original ESHIP planning committee. Her vision – to make ecosystems more accessible, inclusive, and understandable – continues to shape our work every day.
With Andy Stoll leading the new chapter, and sessions focused on shared language, community alignment, and collective metrics, it’s clear the Alliance is back with focus, momentum, and a renewed commitment to building the field with the field.
Read more about the ESHIP Alliance launch from Andy Stoll and sign up for the ESHIP Commons.
Right to Start and “America the Entrepreneurial”
A standout thread running through GEC, and one near to our hearts, was the launch of the “America the Entrepreneurial” campaign, spearheaded by Right to Start. If you’ve followed our work (or caught us at SXSW), you know we’re longtime fans of this movement.
Founded by Victor Hwang, Right to Start advocates for entrepreneurship as a civil right. not just a career path. Their new campaign, timed with America’s 250th birthday, is a clarion call to recognize and resource the everyday entrepreneurs who fuel our economy.
The message resonated deeply across sessions and side conversations:
If we want more innovation, equity, and economic growth, we have to build systems where anyone, anywhere can start and grow.
Right to Start and EcoMap are working on the same challenge from complementary angles – policy and platform – and we’re excited to continue supporting this movement however we can.
Read the Technical.ly article covering the event and learn more about the America the Entrepreneurial campaign.
Keynotes: Feld, Cuban, and the Future of AI
While there was so much more to GEC than the superstar speakers, the GEC keynote stage did not disappoint.
Brad Feld, co-author of the classic ecosystem handbook The Startup Community Way and the newly published book Give First (both of which I was lucky enough to get signed by the man himself) made his first GEC appearance in over a decade. His insights into the evolution of ecosystems – from his original Boulder thesis to today’s interconnected, data-driven platforms – were a welcome bridge between past and future.
Mark Cuban drew a standing room only crowd as he reflected on his time at IU Bloomington, normalized entrepreneurial failure, and made a compelling case for AI as the great equalizer:
“There’s never been a better time in history to start a business. You have the equivalent to the knowledge of every professor in every university in your pocket right now. And sure – it won’t always be 100% right, but neither are those people.”
His message was loud and clear: Entrepreneurship isn’t just possible today – it’s more accessible, more needed, and more powerful than ever.
GEN Village: An Ecosystem Builder’s Playground
You know those magical setups that somehow balance structure and serendipity? That was GEN Village.
Designed as a circular arena with breakout rooms, theory maps, and a buzzing central hub, it offered a rare environment for unplanned, high-value conversations – the kind where a coffee break turns into a co-venture.
We didn’t have a booth, but we did take over a table. A humble table that became EcoMap HQ for three days of back-to-back meetings with customers, partners, and curious ecosystem wanderers.
Huge kudos to the GEC team for planning such a welcoming home base that was conducive to casual catch-ups, high level conversations, and everything in between.
What’s Next?
At GEC 2025, we didn’t just talk about ecosystems – we lived them. From keynote halls to café corners, from policy panels to happy hour huddles, this was a gathering that mapped the present and previewed the future.
At EcoMap, we believe ecosystem building is equal parts data, design, and dialogue. GEC 2025 confirmed what we’ve known all along: our field is maturing, and it’s doing so on a global scale – with generosity, grit, and just the right amount of geekiness.
Want to map your own bold idea?
Let’s talk. Book a time with our team or shoot us a note (kevin@ecomap.tech). Whether you’re planning for 2026 or rethinking your region’s roadmap, we’re here to help you make it real.