Right to Start

🚀 Big news for Indiana's entrepreneurial ecosystem! Last week, Right to Start launched the Indiana Starters Coalition, bringing together eight founding member organizations. The Coalition is dedicated to making entrepreneurship more accessible by breaking down barriers and advocating for a business-friendly environment in every corner of Indiana—whether you're running a restaurant in Pike County or developing a SaaS platform in Fishers. Right to Start's Indiana Coalition Manager Courtney Zaugg, CEcD, EDP said: "[The Coalition] will come up with a charter and an agenda for what policymakers need to consider when they’re creating policy, such as how many steps does it take to get a permit for X, Y and Z sector? How much does it cost? How can those systems be changed? And how, perhaps, can the fees be changed so it doesn’t negatively impact the state, but positively impacts entrepreneurs at the same time?” She also shared that feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. "We collectively need to come together and have a voice that’s being shared with the powers of influence." Additionally, Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang said: “Indiana has enormous potential for new business growth in every community in the state. To achieve that potential, there must be a robust environment to support and encourage entrepreneurship. The Indiana Starters Coalition is a crucial catalyst for that.” We’re honored to have had entrepreneur Kelsey Murphy, winner of FOX’s “MasterChef: Legends,” for a fireside chat to kick things off! 🔥 Read more in Inside INdiana Business here: https://lnkd.in/eBWUJTkD Thank you to the Institute of Justice's Jennifer McDonald, Right to Start's Director of Field & Campaign Strategy Catherine Read, and Right to Start Ambassadors Neil Kane and Kevin Kellems for stopping by to support the launch! Elmer Buchta Technology Center Indiana IoT Lab MatchBOX Coworking Studio Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. Northeast Indiana Innovation Center 16 Tech Innovation District The Dimension Mill The Pantheon #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Indiana #Entrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship

Why does Hennepin County focus on the entrepreneur? Because entrepreneurship lifts up entire communities, as entrepreneur expert and founder of Right to Start, Victor W. Hwang, explained on a recent visit to Hennepin County. “For every 1% increase in entrepreneurship, average household income in an entire county goes up by almost $500,” said Victor. Read how Victor seeks to break down barriers and why he thinks Hennepin County is doing it right with Elevate Hennepin. https://lnkd.in/gxt6zXBc

It is not a Startup Champions Network Summit without the champions... What I appreciate about this group is the authenticity and the intimacy of the relationships you forge... here are a few of the SCN champions you can expect to meet... Paulo Gregory, Inventor of Cohado and the Black Butterfly Network from Baltimore, MD... 40 years of community economic development experience... soul of an artist... spirit of Ubuntu... Andy Stoll, serial social entrepreneur, current founding ED of Ecosystem Building Learners Network, formerly with Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and loves talking about the folk art of community building... Mark A. Lawrence, current Board President of SCN and founder Inncuvate, corporate strategist and ecosystem builder from the DMV... tireless advocate for inclusive local economic development... putting his social capital on the line for this community... Catherine Read, mission driven leader and for Right to Start, works closely with economic growth expert Victor W. Hwang, she has a policy and movement perspective and is working on national legislation to remove the barriers to business ownership... Cameron Cushman, champion for entrepreneurship with experience from the Bush White House to the universities of North Texas... Director of Innovation Ecosystems at University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Public Health, he is place based leader with a national lens... Geoff Wood owner of Gravitate Coworking in Des Moines, has worked with local governments across the US, built out ecosystems throughout the Midwest and now is fully committed to a place based approach...  fun fact: he also circumnavigated the entire Earth over three weeks in 2023 Darlisa Diltz, MBA, MIS has experience in both national and global markets, from St. Louis to her current hometown of Ft Worth... In 2018 she opened the first for-profit, black-women-owned business service organization focusing on Entrepreneur education and development in the Dallas Fort Worth area. Eric Parker, AIA and Grace Anne Belangia (not in photo) are the co-founders of Make Startups launched theclubhou.se in Augusta, Georgia in 2012... now have a WIOA certified entrepreneurial training certification, national executive fellowships and ecosystem tours, and a new CoFounderOS all-in-one platform for entrepreneurial success... Jennifer McDonald from Institute for Justice out of Arlington, VA partners with cities across the country to make it cheaper, faster, and simpler to start a small business by identifying and rectifying regulatory barriers facing small business owners... Entrepreneurial ecosystems are more than the major metros. We need everyones talents to create an economy where we ALL BELONG! Hope to see you in CA on 10/30-11/1. Learn more and get your tickets here: https://lnkd.in/gz9ATVTs For locals, we now have 1 day ticket options for $199 #SCNBayArea #Ecosystembuilders #startupecosystem #sharedprosperity #communitypower

ICYMI, from Inc. Magazine: 🚀 How Entrepreneurship is Thriving Across the U.S. 🚗 Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang recently completed an extraordinary coast-to-coast road trip, culminating in a pivotal ceremony on Capitol Hill. In his latest column for Inc. Magazine, Victor shares his boots-on-the-ground insights into the state of American entrepreneurship, drawn from 15 cities across 13 states. His journey reveals a powerful truth: The American Dream is alive, but achieving it is often far more challenging than it should be. New and young businesses drive the majority of net new jobs, yet entrepreneurs nationwide are grappling with obstacles—burdensome regulations, limited access to capital, and rising childcare costs. "Part of the frustration is with the government—at all levels—which often seems more of a hindrance than a help. Another part comes from the broader 'system,' which can feel like it’s 'working against you,'" Victor noted in his column. One entrepreneur Victor met shared her struggle: she had started a yoga studio, but when the pandemic hit, she lost her customers and couldn’t afford rent. Forced to declare bankruptcy, she now faces seven years without access to credit—a harsh reality for many. Victor calls on civic leaders to act: "Entrepreneurs will build America’s future. Entrepreneurship is the heart of the American dream. Policymakers should advance it so that small business and job growth can accelerate." He proposes three practical steps for communities to support their entrepreneurs: 1️⃣ Remove unnecessary roadblocks to make business creation easier for all. 2️⃣ Listen to entrepreneurs—the true job creators and economic drivers. 3️⃣ Support the whole entrepreneur—from childcare to access to capital, entrepreneurs need policies that genuinely work for them. Read the full insights from Victor Hwang’s landmark cross-country journey here: https://lnkd.in/eqfVRaFm #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneurs #Entrepreneurship #AmericanDream

Yesterday kicked off the beginning of MED week! Today is day two of the eventful week and I am already excited about the connections I was able to make tonight. The Suite B Bar hosted Cocktails & Collaborations which was facilitated by OKC Innovation District and sponsored by Right to Start. The atmosphere of this event couldn’t have been more welcoming giving minorities a comfortable environment to network. I had the pleasure of speaking with many entrepreneurs that were just looking for the right resources to kick start their businesses which gives me an opportunity to remind consumer/ commercial clients that a bank is more than just a facility that holds funds. A financial institution like First Security Bank and Trust can be a facilitator of resouces!

🚀 Exciting News for Indiana Entrepreneurs! 🚀 On Thursday, October 10, we're launching the Indiana Starters Coalition, a statewide initiative aimed at advancing entrepreneurship across Indiana. This coalition is not just about starting businesses; it's about building a community based on unity and collaboration, so all new and young businesses can thrive and grow. 💡 We're bringing together entrepreneurs, identifying barriers that make starting a business difficult, and proposing solutions to eliminate them—especially for communities that have historically been left out. Together, we’ll foster a statewide network that empowers every starter, regardless of background. Meet our amazing founding member organizations: --Elmer Buchta Technology Center (Southern Indiana) --Indiana IoT Lab (Fishers) --MatchBOX Coworking Studio (Lafayette) --Muncie Innovation Connector, Inc. (East Central Indiana) --Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (Northeast Indiana) --16 Tech Innovation District (Central Indiana) --The Dimension Mill (Bloomington) --The Pantheon (Southwest Indiana) 🗓️ Date: Thursday, October 10 🕰️ Time: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm 📍 Location: Indianapolis We’re honored to have Courtney Zaugg, CEcD, EDP, East Coalition Manager at Right to Start, and Kelsey Murphy, entrepreneur and winner of FOX’s “MasterChef: Legends,” for a fireside chat to kick things off! 🔥 If you haven't gotten your ticket, grab one here before they're sold out: https://lnkd.in/eS4hb9jY Join us as we launch this transformative journey for Indiana’s entrepreneurial community. Let's build an Indiana where everyone has the Right to Start! 💪 #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Indiana #Entrepreneurship #Entrepreneurs

🚀 Just released: the latest Right to Start newsletter! Catch up on the powerful grand finale of Right to Start Founder and CEO Victor W. Hwang's cross-country road trip at Capitol Hill, and dive into stories from the final stops along his journey. 🌟 We also share highlights from our impactful time on-the-ground in Denver and an insightful op-ed by Right to Start Ambassador Toni Eberhart, who explores a regional growth model in North Alabama that could inspire communities nationwide. 👉 Don't miss these updates—read the full newsletter now: https://lnkd.in/eRUYHda4 Photo credit: The Art Hype

In this week's 21 Hats Dashboard podcast, I talk to Victor W. Hwang about a remarkable roadtrip he recently completed. At a time when many of us are consumed with the election and politics and all of the things that divide us, Victor, who is founder and CEO of Right to Start, a nonpartisan advocacy group, met with entrepreneurs in cities and towns from Southern California, across the northern part of the country and down to Washington, D.C., and found a whole bunch of people who are working together to build things. It’s a refreshing perspective. Two big points: One, there's a lot entrepreneurial energy out there that even some people who are trying to pay attention (like me) don't really know about. And two, there's been a tendency among many to dismiss the pandemic boom in new businesses as being nothing but a bunch of side hustles and solopreneurs (like me). But Victor isn't buying it. He thinks the entrepreneurial momentum is real, and his organization is doing everything it can to make starting a business easier. You can listen wherever you get podcasts (or with the link in comments). #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #startups

🚀 Unlocking Opportunities: Empowering Entrepreneurs Through Public Procurement 🚀 At Right to Start, we believe entrepreneurship is a powerful engine for economic opportunity and community growth. New and young businesses create the majority of net new jobs in the nation, but they often face nearly insurmountable barriers when trying to access government contracts. Kim Folsom (She/Her)’s recent piece in Governing highlights this critical issue: too many public contracts go to the same, larger, established firms, locking out the very innovators who could transform and enhance public services. 🌟 Why This Matters: Small, younger companies are agile, tech-savvy, and often capable of delivering cost-effective solutions. Yet, they’re frequently overlooked due to "executional risk" concerns and an opaque procurement process that favors incumbents. This not only stifles innovation but also limits economic growth—especially in underserved communities. 🧨 A Call for Change: We at Right to Start advocate for policy recommendations like those in the Right to Start Act, which calls for allocating 5% of state contracts to new entrant businesses—meaning, businesses who have never received government business before. By shifting focus to firms with under $3 million in annual revenue, particularly in their first five years, we can boost local economies and create jobs where they’re needed most. 🚀 The Bigger Picture: Imagine the ripple effect of energizing young businesses nationwide. One government contract could be the stepping stone for a small company to grow, hire locally, and secure additional work, benefiting the entire community. As Kim emphasizes, it’s time for state and local governments to rethink their procurement strategies and prioritize entrepreneurship. 🔥 We Can Change This For Businesses Everywhere: Public procurement should be a tool for growth and innovation. It’s time to break the cycle of “vendor lock-in” and open the doors to the smaller businesses that are real catalysts for change. 🔗 Read more about how we can unleash the power of entrepreneurship and transform public procurement: https://lnkd.in/ewEZBZTG #LetUsStart #BuildYourDreams #Entrepreneurship #EconomicGrowth #PublicProcurement #Innovation #GovernmentContracts #InclusiveEconomy cc: Victor W. Hwang Kim Lane