This is a short presentation on some of the learning derived from research in New Orleans, Omaha and Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, on how to catalyze and begin to build a connected network/ecosystem for entrepreneurs in a city not traditionally known for a strong entrepreneurial culture. This presentation is not intended to present a comprehensive solution, but rather some key principles and a common theoretical model that has emerged in the research. This is certainly a work in progress and your feedback is welcome Andy Stoll is the co-founder of Startup Iowa and Iowa-based Seed Here Studio, a social good startup working to catalyze a more connected community of entrepreneurs, creatives and the people that support them in Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Iowa and across The Silicon Prairie.

1. STARTUP
COMMUNITY
ALCHEMY
LESSONS LEARNED FOR
GROWING SOUTH DAKOTA’S
STARTUP COMMUNITY
ANDY STOLL, SEED HERE STUDIO / IOWA
#innoexpo @andystoll

2. Iowa Floods 2008 June 13, 2008
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3. Iowa Floods 2008
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4. Cody Butler, CornFinger
#innoexpo @andystoll @codyjamesbutler @cornfinger

5. Ben Milne, Dwolla
#innoexpo @andystoll @bpmilne @dwolla

6. Entrepreneurship has been democratized
THE FUTURE IS
ALREADY HERE
ITS JUST UNEVENLY DISTRIBUTED
William Gibson
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7. SMALL BUSINESS
STARTUP
LARGE COMPANY
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8. STARTUP designed to search for a
a temporary organization
repeatable and scalable business model whose
founders desire to “change the world”
On Peppermint Energy: Third times a charm. Brian Gramm, Peppermint Energy
On Colourlovers: “We didn’t have a business model.” @bubs, ColorLouvers
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9. WHY DO
STARTUPS FAIL?
“Most startups DON’T fail because they failed to
write a good business plan or they lacked an
incubator or capital, they DO fail because they
underperform to their potential--they made a product
that their customers don’t want or they couldn’t build
a team that has the capabilities to build, sell and grow,
with just a few people.”
Tom Chapman, Nebraska Global
#innoexpo @andystoll @tchap623

10. WHAT STARTUPS
NEED TO SUCCEED
“What startups need is help finding customers, mentors,
business models, peers, investors and collaborators that
provide the needed information and guidance for
launching and pivoting their business.”
Tom Chapman, Nebraska Global
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11. WHAT STARTUPS
NEED TO SUCCEED
+ access to knowledge
+ access to networks
+ encouragement
Josh Cramer, serial entrepreneur
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12. A STARTUP COMMUNITY
[an entrepreneurial ecosystem]
“inside the secret garden” @bubs, ColorLouvers
“the value of Kickstarter was customer feedback” Brian Gramm, Peppermint Energy
“the best place to get advice is other entrepreneurs” Dan Martell, Clarity
“you are the average of the 5 people you spend yourself with” Dan Martell, Clarity
#innoexpo @andystoll #nola #omaha #boulder

13. Iowa Floods 2008 June 13, 2008
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14. #innoexpo @andystoll @ideavillage @thwilliamson @robbievitrano @cschultz

15. THE TALE OF 3 CITIES
building entrepreneurial communities in unexpected places
DON’T FORGET
‣ there are no silver bullets, no easy and quick solution
‣ what works in Nashville doesn’t necessarily work in Dubuque
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16. NEW ORLEANS
pop: 343,829
traditional industries
OIL & GAS
SHIP BUILDING
TOURISM
AEROSPACE
#innoexpo @andystoll @ideavillage @thwilliamson @robbievitrano @cschultz

17. Some of the startup community leaders in New Orleans
#innoexpo @andystoll @ideavillage @thwilliamson @robbievitrano @cschultz

18. NEW ORLEANS
pop: 343,829
traditional industries
OIL & GAS
SHIP BUILDING
TOURISM
AEROSPACE
LESSONS
‣ started by a small group of entrepreneurs
‣ broke the traditional networks of power
‣ change began internally
‣ success has many mothers and fathers
‣ must “hardwire” your community with others
‣ just start (and be patient)
#innoexpo @andystoll @ideavillage @thwilliamson @robbievitrano @cschultz

19. OMAHA
pop: 408,958
traditional industries
FINANCE
INSURANCE
TELECOM
SHIPPING
AREOSPACE
#innoexpo @andystoll @slobotski @dustyd @siliconprairie @tchap623

20. Some of the startup community leaders in Omaha
#innoexpo @andystoll @slobotski @dustyd @siliconprairie

21. Some of the startup community leaders in Omaha
#innoexpo @andystoll @slobotski @dustyd @siliconprairie @tchap623

22. OMAHA
pop: 408,958
traditional industries
FINANCE
INSURANCE
TELECOM
SHIPPING
AREOSPACE
LESSONS
‣ first step: find the entrepreneurs
‣ highlighting success can have outsized impact
‣ events, events, big events
‣ get as many people on the bus as you can, then go
‣ treat serial entrepreneurs like gold
‣ there’s power when shirts connect with suits
‣ be humble, learn from mistakes
‣ be prepared to pivot as you go
#innoexpo @andystoll @slobotski @dustyd @siliconprairie @tchap623

23. BOULDER
pop: 97.385
traditional industries
SCIENCE RESEARCH
ELECTRONICS
AEROSPACE
NATURAL FOODS
#innoexpo @andystoll @bfeld @techstars @bdnt

24. Amazon.com Public Library
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25. BOULDER
pop: 97.385
traditional industries
SCIENCE RESEARCH
ELECTRONICS
AEROSPACE
NATURAL FOODS
LESSONS
‣ led by entrepreneurs
‣ leaders have long term commitment (20 years)
‣ foster a philosophy of inclusiveness
‣ events that engage the entire entrepreneur stack
‣ give before you get
‣ don’t ask permission
*Brad Feld’s “Boulder Thesis,” the core of his must read book Startup Communities.
#innoexpo @andystoll @bfeld @techstars @bdnt

26. CEDAR RAPIDS
pop: 126,326
traditional industries
AGRICULTURE
FOOD PROCESSING
AEROSPACE
TRANSPORATION
TELECOM
OUR ACTION
‣ first asked: where are our entrepreneurs?
‣ how to find them: started and instigated new events
‣ also: built online and offline “watering holes”
‣ motivated our serial entrepreneurs to lead
‣ building hardwired connections regionally/nationally
‣ always asking “does this help our entrepreneurs?”
‣ being patient, trying lots of things, learning
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27. Lots of grassroots events to “shake the trees” and connect people - barcamp, startup weekend, meetups, conference, fairs
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28. Organic growth of online “watering holes” for the community, to help find and engage people in our cause - ICCreatives.us
#innoexpo @andystoll @iccreatives

29. Organic growth of physical “watering holes” for the community - Vault Coworking & Collaboration Space grand opening
#innoexpo @andystoll @crvault

30. Hardwire connection between our region and elsewhere - Cedar Rapids/Iowa City contingent to Big Omaha 2012
#innoexpo @andystoll @bigomaha

31. Some very visible success stories and national exposure of our early stage entrepreneurs and startups
RecBob at DEMO ActiveGrade at the HuffPost Event at the DNC
#innoexpo @andystoll @recbob @activegrade

32. BUILDING YOUR
STARTUP COMMUNITY
Conclusion: Ten key take aways that I think are important.
1. led by entrepreneurs
2. must be in it for the long game (20 years)
3. identify your entrepreneurs and startups & rally around them
4. create new events that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack
5. be inclusive
6. highlight entrepreneurial success & tell stories
7. connect between generations & siloed groups
8. give before you get
9. its more an art, than a science (try lots of things)
10. don’t wait for permission, start today
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33. trust your crazy ideas
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34. this deck & more links: andystoll.net/startupculture
ANDY STOLL
SEED HERE STUDIO / IOWA
tw/fg/g+/linkedIn: @andystoll
andystoll.net
#innoexpo @andystoll