Jumpstart Inc.

As the US looks to create new jobs, new opportunities and new industries, we're supporting and investing in our regional entrepreneurial ecosystems--which represent the collective of tech-based economic development organizations, entrepreneurial incubators, colleges and universities, venture and angel funds, and other resources dedicated to spurring the creation of a region's high growth entrepreneurs. And yet, we’re not reaching everyone. For example, according to CBInsights, in 2011 only 1% of venture-backed companies had a black founder. JumpStart had the opportunity to discuss the importance of and the barriers to creating inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems with Carmen Ortiz-McGhee, Claude Kennard and our own Darrin Redus. Here’s some of our lunchtime conversation about how communities can foster the development of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems that produce higher growth, diverse businesses and why that’s ultimately critical for our country’s economic competitiveness.