Second Annual Ada Entrepreneurial Summit Focuses on Building Rural Startup Ecosystems

Over the day and a half summit, the AES is specifically focused on rural startup ecosystems and how to better collaborate, connect resources, and create a community culture that supports startups and entrepreneurship.

“In 2018 when the event was first held the goal was to introduce local and statewide entrepreneurial resources to the community.  It was exciting to see the community respond so well to the event and have all the seats booked,” shared AJF Entrepreneurship Specialist and event organizer Srijita Dia Ghosh. “This year we are specifically focusing on rural startup ecosystems because we realize that even though fundamentally all startup ecosystems have similar requirements such as an open environment to share ideas, access to capital and connection to resources; smaller communities have some unique challenges, and advantages that need to be highlighted.”

“Entrepreneurial ecosystem building is community at its best,” stated AES 2019 luncheon speaker Cecilia Wessinger with the Kauffman Foundation. “When we support our neighbors to do purposeful work, we empower ourselves and people around us. We’re not waiting for outside sources to save us, we’re growing our own. Communities like Ada are recognizing that while no one person or one company has the answer, all of us have part of the solution. I’m excited to be part of Ada’s journey towards identifying it’s answers and advocating for their community.”