A presentation delivered in September 2016 in Limerick, at an URBACT TechTown transnational meeting.

1. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Entrepreneurship
Ecosystems
Laura IH Bennett
Tech North

2. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
What do we mean by ecosystem?
“A community of living organisms in
conjunction with non-living components,
interacting together as a system.”

3. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
What do we mean by ecosystem?
“A community of living organisms in
conjunction with non-living components,
interacting together as a system.”
“Tech ecosystem” is short hand for what we’re
really talking about…

4. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
What do we mean by ecosystem?
“A community of living organisms in
conjunction with non-living components,
interacting together as a system.”
“Tech ecosystem” is short hand for what we’re
really talking about…
Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

5. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Vibrant ecosystem: why is it important?
Economic studies link entrepreneurship to:
- rapid job creation
- GDP growth
- long-term productivity increases

6. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Economic studies link entrepreneurship to:
- rapid job creation
- GDP growth
- long-term productivity increases
These are pretty nice (and important) tangible outputs
Vibrant ecosystem: why is it important?

7. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Tech Nation Report 2016

8. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
But also… intangible outcomes
- Stronger community links
- Increased opportunities for collaboration
- Fostering a culture of giving back
- Belief in something bigger than yourself
- Sense of civic pride

9. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Professor Daniel J. Isenberg
Babson College , Boston
Leading the Babson
Entrepreneurship &
Ecosystem Project
@danisen

10. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

11. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
- Controlled by: Everyone (and no one)
- Owned by: Everyone (and no one)
- Self-sustaining in the right conditions
- Self-perpetuating with the right inputs
Entrepreneurship Ecosystems

12. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
SiliconValley/Roundabout/Gorge
We can certainly learn from other ecosystems
around the world.

13. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
SiliconValley/Roundabout/Gorge
We can certainly learn from other ecosystems
around the world. For example…
- Boulder, Colorado
- Boston
- Estonia… etc etc

14. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Ecosystem-in-a-box

15. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
*Important Slide Alert*
If you only remember one thing:

16. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
*Important Slide Alert*
If you only remember one thing:
You can’t create an ecosystem from the top
down, but you can create the conditions to
encourage a vibrant ecosystem to flourish.

17. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Tech North

18. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Vision ofTech North
Create the conditions for a vibrant ecosystem
- Make connections and introductions
- Share best practice and learnings
Attract investment: inward & equity
- Put “The North” on the map
Encourage and support entrepreneurship
- Northern Stars & Founders’ Network

19. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Founders’ Network

20. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Founders’ Network
Founders’ Network is a 6-month bespoke
programme of tailored learning from world-
class delivery partners, delivered across three
regions in the North.
Founders’ Network provides opportunities for
entrepreneurs to share challenges in a safe
environment.

21. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Feedback for Founders’ Network
“It’s a safe environment where you can be honest about your
startup.”
“This is where you can really find people who are willing to help
you without judging your challenge or business or problem.”
“Real life practical advice from experienced individuals delivered in
an open, constructive and motivating manner.”
“Particularly inspiring to hear about the struggles successful
people faced & how they overcame seemingly insurmountable
problems.”

22. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
- Community meetups: tech / digital / making
- Startup in the Pub
-The University of Sheffield Enterprise
- Sheffield Hallam University’s Hatchery
- Sheffield Digital membership organisation
- Creative Sheffield (SheffieldCity Council)
- SheffieldCity Region & the LEP
Sheffield’s DigitalTech Community

23. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
StartupWeekend Sheffield
Organised & facilitaed by Samantha Deakin
University of Sheffield Enterprise @SamanthaJDeakin

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Gaza Sky Geeks

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GSG pre-accelerator bootcamp

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Gaza Sky Geeks

27. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Gaza’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

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Gaza’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

29. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
Recommended Reading
KPMG Magnet Cities Report
home.kpmg.com/uk/en/home/insights/2014/07/magnet-cities.html
ScaleUp Report
scaleupreport.org/scaleup-report.pdf
Tech Nation Reports
techcityuk.com/technation/
How to Start an Entrepreneurial Revolution
http://utrechtce.nl/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Entrepreneurial-Revolution-
Isenberg-2010.pdf
NESTA & Accenture CITIE Report
nesta.org.uk/sites/default/files/citie_northern_powerhouse-2016.pdf
Brad Feld “Startup Communities”

30. @LauraIHBennett @TechNorthHQ
ThankYou!
Laura IH Bennett
laura@techcityuk.com