ECOSYSTEMConnecting top-down economic development with the grassroots communities where entrepreneurs actually thrive.
Most entrepreneurs don’t thrive inside top-down economic development. They thrive in grassroots, community-driven environments. The work is connecting the two: bringing institutions to the coffee shops and meetups where ideas actually get tested, and bringing founders a seat at the table where the future of the economy gets decided.
“In order to prevail in today’s ever-changing economy, we must treat our communities like a startup; taking calculated risks, but being willing to lead with boldness and courage to move into the future and not stay stuck in the past.”JAKE HAMANN / APR 2021
Where it started: a city-level movement to change Greater Peoria’s narrative to one of inclusion, optimism, and progress.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR · 2019–2021
Peoria Innovation Alliance
A 501(c)(3) launched May 1, 2019 to support innovation, entrepreneurship, and startup activity in Greater Peoria: Return to Better, a regional strategic plan, and the Center for Civic Innovation.
BRAND & LAUNCH PARTNER · 2020–2021
Distillery Labs
Worked with the board to name and brand Peoria’s $10M innovation and entrepreneurship center in the historic Thomas Building. “Distillery” nods to the city’s past; “labs” to its future.
BOARD MEMBER · 2014–2016
Downtown Development Corp.
Appointed by the City of Peoria as its representative on the Downtown Development Corporation board, bringing the startup community’s voice to downtown revitalization.
Building the connective tissue between cities, counties, and the founders who don’t care where the boundaries are.
ECOSYSTEM BUILDER · 2021–present
NTX Collective
Develops and promotes entrepreneurship across North Texas: NTX Connect for resources and mentorship, Angel Academy for new investors, and policy work with Right to Start to reduce startup barriers.
CO-FOUNDER · NOW STARTUP GP · 2014–2016
Startup Peoria
Co-founded to give local entrepreneurs the tools and resources to ideate, collaborate, and launch, from pitch competitions to the region’s first Startup Weekend and 1 Million Cups.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER · 2014–2016
Greater Peoria EDC
Invited onto the Economic Development Council’s executive board as Startup Peoria’s impact grew, connecting traditional economic development with the grassroots startup community.
Ecosystem building as a discipline: the networks, coalitions, and policy work that give community builders a national voice.
FOUNDING MEMBER · ILLINOIS CHAMPION · 2015–present
Startup Champions Network
Invited by Startup America to represent Illinois, then a founding member and leadership-team voice in the nationwide nonprofit for ecosystem builders and the entrepreneurs they serve.
ADVOCATE · 2021–present
Right to Start
A national campaign to remove the barriers to starting a business: policy, access to capital, and the first-year support most founders never get. Advocacy in Peoria and now in North Texas.
COALITION PARTNER · KAUFFMAN FOUNDATION · 2020
Start Us Up
Brought the Peoria Innovation Alliance into the Kauffman-backed coalition and hosted a 75-person town hall on America’s New Business Plan, giving founders a seat at the table.
PARTNER
IEDC
Partnerships with the International Economic Development Council that bridge professional economic development practice with the grassroots side of ecosystem building.
Building an ecosystem, an innovation district, or a founder community? I’ve done it at every level, from a city’s first Startup Weekend to national coalitions. Bring the problem and the people; I’ll bring the playbook.
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