A Look at SCN’s First Virtual Summit: Fall 2020
As we reflect on out first Virtual Summit, we can't help but feel proud of the connections made and time spent with other ecosystem builders from across the country. So many great conversations, lots of engagement, and valuable insights shared from both speakers and attendees.
As we dove into curated conversations and topics, one theme became clear:
How can we come together to solve our nation's crisis?
Andy Stoll opened the Summit by reminding us that one person, one organization, one ecosystem can not change everything. One person cannot fix COVID. One person cannot tear down systemic racism. But together we can. And throughout our 2.5 days together, our speakers and facilitators showed us exactly how...
Enoch Elwell, Darlisa Diltz, Jennifer Skjellum, and Jose Alfaro discussed pivoting and providing programming to help entrepreneurs survive the pandemic.
Toni Eberhart, Mark Lawrence, and Eric Parker discussed earning revenue and raising funds to support ourselves, our entrepreneurs, and our organizations.
Victor Hwang and Kim Lane lit a fire in us around policy and advocacy.
Fay Horwitt, Tom Chapman, Charles Ross, and Nicolas Gunkel gave us tools to measure what matters and encouraged us to tie storytelling to metrics.
Stacey Miller and Trey Bowles discussed the importance of establishing relationships with corporate partners.
David Hirsch reminded us of the importance of turning fear into action.
Lauren Castine, Wendy Overton, Paulo Gregory Harris, Rev. Alvin Herring, and Mike Binko showed us that inclusion is not about an invitation to the table but about co-creation.
What do all of these talks have in common? The importance of co-creation, collaboration, and coming together to create change.
Setting Community Goals for your Ecosystem
If we are going to come together to solve the most pressing issues in our ecosystem, we have to actually come together as a community and set goals. During Meg Steuer's Curated Conversation on "B.H.A.G.s" (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), she discussed how the St. Paul ecosystem developed a plan for their B.H.A.G.
“By 2030, Minneapolis-Saint Paul will be the best place for people from all backgrounds to start and scale ventures that build wealth by solving global challenges.”
New Frontiers in Equitable Access to Capital and Credit
“It is no longer a moral imperative to make sure money moves, it’s an economic imperative. ”
This power panel of ecosystem builders shared their work and gave tactical advice for pushing back and creating more accessible and equitable solutions. The panelists encouraged ecosystem builders to stop playing by the racist rules that were meant to push people out and instead make our own rules.
COVID Related Resources
There were so many great resources shared during Summit. Here are just a few available to the public.
REFOCUS: is a free 2hr pivot workshop from Co.Starters
Right to Start Field Guide for Policymakers
Has the Pandemic Affected Venture Investing in the Middle? This article is a nice follow up to the Metrics discussion
Get Your E3 Scorecard from Forward Cities
Be part of the time-limited, soft launch of this ecosystem assessment tool and receive a personalized report for free after completing the scorecard. To which extent is equity baked into the key pillars of a healthy ecosystem, focusing on the people, programs, networks and narratives that bring it to life? Find out and define your ecosystem's assets, gaps, and opportunities.
*Please note, if you are interested in sharing this resource more broadly, please email Nicolas Gunkel at ngunkel@forwardcities.org.
