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Empowering ESOs: Convening Best Practices for Meaningful Engagement
- Joyce Arias
- Posted on
- Blog
Robbin Lee, Director of Partnerships and Mobilization for UpSurge Baltimore
Anika Horn, Ecosystem champion and storyteller
This article answers:
- How can in-person connections enhance collaboration in entrepreneurial ecosystems
- What are the best practices for organizing effective in-person convenings for ecosystem building?
- How can entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive without a large budget?
In a tech-driven world, it’s easy to assume digital tools hold all the answers, particularly for leaders launching companies in this space. But therein lies an essential, ironic truth that might be the key to their success: IRL, human connection.
As the landscape of ecosystem-building evolves, it’s becoming clear that the most impactful innovation often emerges when we blend the power of technology with the irreplaceable power of in-person interaction—driving collaboration, trust, and long-term success in entrepreneurial ecosystems. That human connections forged in real life create the foundation for authentic engagement, mutual understanding, and shared goals.
Robbin Lee, Director of Partnerships and Mobilization for UpSurge Baltimore, echoed this sentiment during a recent Ecosystem Talks webinar, hosted by EcoMap and facilitated by ecosystem champion and storyteller, Anika Horn, emphasizing that while virtual platforms can be effective, they don’t foster the same depth of trust and collaboration as face-to-face interactions.
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“Virtual gatherings are just not as powerful for building trust, especially with your peers and those doing similar work,” Lee said.
UpRise for Equitech Regional Innovation Cluster, a network of 18 entrepreneurial support organizations (ESOs), relies on in-person convenings to foster meaningful connections, facilitate information sharing, and address common challenges. While the group has a robust Slack channel, these face-to-face meetings have proven essential for collaboration, data sharing, and building a unified resource hub for the Baltimore region.
A lack of shared purpose can derail any convening. Without a clear sense of why people are coming together, the gathering risks becoming unfocused or ineffective, failing to provide the meaningful connections and collaboration that drive success. When UpSurge facilitated the creation of UpRise, the 18 ESOs involved initially agreed on three main sets of values: to talk to each other, share data, and collaborate on a digital resource hub.
“Now that we’re in the work, I’m not surprised by how hard it is to create these spaces because everyone’s running a thousand miles per hour and sometimes it’s hard to get people to slow down to the same pace as each other,” Lee said.
During the webinar, Lee provided a roadmap for those looking to start their own in-person gatherings. She emphasized making them regular and consistent, establishing purpose, and measuring qualitative and quantitative data that results from the interactions. While UpSurge does have funding to support UpRise now, that wasn’t always the case.
When UpSurge launched four years ago, they started hosting small, weekly “Equitech Tuesday” events built up by leveraging relationship capital, volunteer support, and community partnerships. They started adding themes to each week and layering different forms of capital into the existing event program by moving around different parts of the ecosystem, introducing the tech community to other partners and collaborators and ultimately leading to a more robust experience. They are coming up on 200 events hosted.
By strategically using relationship capital and community resources, ecosystem builders don’t need a big budget to create an impactful, thriving ecosystem. Sometimes, the ingenuity and commitment of the people involved make all the difference.
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“We did it with a lot of relationship capital. We were willing to take the time to talk and lean in with collaborators,” Lee said. “We used the opportunity to expose different parts of our ecosystem to the tech community and vice versa.”
Technology plays a crucial role in scaling efforts and facilitating connections across distances, but the most lasting and meaningful breakthroughs in ecosystem building are born not from digital tools alone, but from the powerful bonds formed in person. Whether through informal gatherings or structured convenings, real-life interactions are the linchpin of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
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By blending the best of both worlds—leveraging tech for reach and in-person connections for depth—entrepreneurial ecosystems can thrive in a truly sustainable way.
Webinar Q&A
Throughout the webinar, attendees asked insightful questions. We are sharing them here, along with answers to common challenges in ecosystem building:
Q: How do Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) measure success and impact within their ecosystem?
A: Measuring success for ESOs involves both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Quantitative metrics can include tracking the number of entrepreneurs served, the amount of funding raised, job creation, or the number of connections made between entrepreneurs and resource providers. Qualitative metrics might focus on the depth of relationships built, the level of trust within the ecosystem, or the satisfaction and feedback from entrepreneurs themselves. Establishing clear goals early on is important, and using regular feedback loops (surveys, interviews, or data collection from members) to refine strategies and gauge progress.
Q: Centralized data sounds great, but how do ESOs keep it up to date with so many organizations involved?
A: Keeping centralized data up-to-date is an ongoing challenge, especially when working with many different organizations. ESOs can address this by using a combination of automated data collection tools and regular updates from participating organizations. For instance, they might establish a system where organizations can log in to update their profiles or submit quarterly updates to keep information current. Clear communication about the importance of data accuracy, paired with easy-to-use technology, ensures that all stakeholders can contribute and access the most up-to-date resources and information.
Q: When convening meetings, do ESOs typically meet virtually or in person?
A: The format of convenings often depends on the goals of the meeting and the location of the participants. Virtual meetings are increasingly popular, particularly in today’s global environment, because they allow for broader participation regardless of geographic location. However, in-person meetings can foster stronger relationships and a deeper sense of community. Many ESOs opt for a hybrid approach, combining virtual gatherings for accessibility with in-person meetings for more personal interactions and trust-building opportunities.
Q: Do ESOs work with yearly or quarterly strategic plans for their ecosystems?
A: Both! Yearly strategic plans are essential for setting long-term vision and overarching goals, but they should be flexible to account for changes in the ecosystem. Quarterly plans are often used to assess progress, adjust tactics, and address emerging opportunities or challenges. This balance allows ESOs to stay focused on long-term objectives while remaining adaptable to the fast-paced changes that occur within entrepreneurial ecosystems. Frequent check-ins also help to keep all stakeholders aligned and engaged.
Q: Do ESOs experience competing goals among the various member organizations? How do they address this friction?
A: Competing goals are a common challenge in ecosystems that involve diverse stakeholders. Some organizations may focus on different aspects of the ecosystem, such as funding, mentoring, or community development, and these priorities may not always align. To address friction, ESOs are encouraged to facilitate open conversations where stakeholders can clarify their goals and find common ground. This might include creating shared visions, negotiating priorities, or identifying collaborative opportunities that allow each organization to meet its goals while advancing the broader ecosystem. Conflict resolution and fostering a culture of mutual respect and collaboration are essential to maintaining healthy ecosystem dynamics.
Q: Are convenings organized with a formal program, or are they more informal with flexible agendas?
A: The structure of convenings depends on the desired outcomes. Some convenings are highly structured, with a formal agenda, presentations, and speakers, especially if the goal is to educate or provide specific resources. However, many successful ecosystem convenings are less formal and allow for more open-ended conversations. These gatherings often prioritize relationship-building, networking, and brainstorming, leaving space for organic discussion. A flexible approach ensures that the convening can adapt to the needs of the participants while still achieving key objectives. Ultimately, the program’s structure should align with the ecosystem’s needs and the outcomes it hopes to achieve.
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