Earlier this June, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in Indianapolis alongside my colleagues Gustavo Ustariz and Wendy Otero. While it was our first time at this international convening, it was also a moment for us to proudly represent Main Street America’s growing role in entrepreneurial ecosystem building — a space that, as Main Streeters, we have always been a part of, but may not have called out, and one that continues to expand.

After sixteen years traveling the globe, the GEC returned to U.S. soil this year, bringing together leaders from over 150 countries. That global scope alone was impressive, offering a glimpse of the innovation and urgency we all show in fostering and growing small businesses and entrepreneurs in our communities. The conversations that unfolded throughout the week took it even further, covering topics such as equitable access to capital, vertical integration, design thinking, and reimagining entrepreneurship education from kindergarten to college. 

While there’s no way to capture all the incredible moments from the week, here are three key reflections that stuck with me.

Ecosystems that connect outperform. Period. 

Relationship-building, intentional network weaving, and cross-sector collaboration aren’t optional; they’re essential to sustainable impact. No organization can do the work alone, and they shouldn’t! We all have our role in the ecosystem to make it strong and resilient. 

Activity doesn’t equal Impact. 

We can’t mistake being busy for being effective. It’s critical that we map our ecosystems, define clear roles, and measure our efforts in meaningful ways. Every entrepreneur needs something a little different, and we should respond accordingly. It’s all about the relationships we build, and knowing that this work takes time and money. 

Entrepreneurship education is evolving. 

From early childhood to higher ed, classrooms are becoming labs for entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. That shift is a massive opportunity for community-based entrepreneurship development. Entrepreneurship can start with that kindergarten lemonade stand or that middle school side hustle! What are we doing to foster entrepreneurism from youth to adult, and encourage a meaningful pipeline?

Tools and Resources for Main Streets

Two new initiatives stood out as particularly exciting for those of us in the ecosystem-building space: 

• ESHIP Commons: A new platform from the ESHIP Alliance, this digital space is built specifically for ecosystem builders and resource providers. It’s designed to help us share knowledge, access tools, and create alignment across our networks. If you were part of the Kauffman-funded E3 effort in rural communities, the Truist B3 program, or you are leaning into developing entrepreneurs in your community, this will feel like a natural next step. 
• Right to Start: This movement is rallying us around a bold vision for America’s 250^th birthday, celebrating our nation as ​“America the Entrepreneurial.” It’s an invitation to reimagine our national identity around innovation, inclusivity, and opportunity. 

A Stronger Future for Entrepreneurs 

This experience reaffirmed something we already know: Main Street communities are powerful platforms for entrepreneurship. However, to deepen our impact, we must continue to expand our thinking about ecosystem development — not just within our districts and towns, but across regions, sectors, and even borders.