The C•CUBE Ecosystem Conversations Challenge

APLU participants who complete all items on the participation checklist will receive the following reward from APLU:

• Successfully completing members will be entered into a drawing for two complimentary registrations for APLU’s Commission on Community and Economic Engagement (CECE) 2024 Summer Meeting.

InBIA participants who complete all items on the participation checklist will receive:

• Drawing for 50% Off 2024 Ecosystem Builders Forum Regular Registration Rates
  All InBIA members who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle to win one of two half-off tickets to the Ecosystem Builders Forum, to be held October 22 to 24 in Kansas City. The e.Builders Forum highlights best practices in ecosystem building and provides tools and resources practitioners can implement immediately to improve their centers and the broader networks in which they operate. 
• Spotlight Guest Blog
  Five challenge participants will have the opportunity to work with InBIA on a guest blog highlighting their programs. These blogs will be widely distributed through InBIA’s social media and other communication channels. These opportunities will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to members who complete the challenge. 

NACCE participants who complete all items on the checklist will be eligible to receive one or more of these rewards from NACCE (note that not all rewards will be available to everyone who completes—some will be made available through a drawing—a final list of NACCE rewards will be available in January):

• NACCE gift bag (a collection of NACCE imprinted promotional items)
• Free registration for a future NACCE Summit
• Visibility for the ecosystem work in a session at the 2024 national conference
• Recognition in the NACCE Community College Entrepreneurship journal
• Featured on a NACCE’s Forward with NACCE podcast

USASBE participants who complete all items on the participation checklist will receive additional rewards from USASBE. A list of rewards will be available soon.

UEDA participants who complete all items on the checklist will receive one or more of these benefits from UEDA, to be distributed based on the number of successfully completing members:

• A spotlight webinar or webinar series highlighting participating/completing organizations
• A spotlight session at the UEDA Annual Summit next year
• Visibility for the ecosystem work in the UEDA Intersection newsletter

The C•CUBE Toolkit is designed to facilitate effective ecosystem-building conversations. It provides structured guides and resources to help participants understand their roles in ecosystem building and develop strategies for collaboration and engagement.

To start engaging in ecosystem building without stepping on toes, it’s crucial to approach the community with a mindset of listening and learning. It’s about showing up and being cognizant about how you show up, with an eye to building collaboration and trust. Understand the existing landscape and key players. Reach out to these stakeholders for informal discussions to gain insights into their needs and perspectives. Ensure that your institution’s involvement adds value and complements existing efforts. Transparency, open communication, and a collaborative attitude are key. It’s also often beneficial to start with small, non-intrusive initiatives to demonstrate commitment and gradually build trust and relationships.

Brian Enevoldsen, from the WT Enterprise Center at West Texas A&M University, shared that when his Center started to engage with the ecosystem, they reached out and invited area ecosystem support organizations to come for a luncheon and simply share what programs and services they offer, noting that the Center would like to be more knowledgeable so that they can refer entrepreneurs and others to the right resources in an informed way. This approach of reaching out and convening so that the university can better “lift up” the work of other organizations is a great example of how to take the first steps of engaging. Additional background on the ‘about’ page of this site has useful background in getting started in ecosystem building.

Yes, although it is centered around colleges and universities, the toolkit can be beneficial to other organizations involved in ecosystem building. Its principles and conversation guides are adaptable and can be applied to various contexts, including non-profits, government agencies, and private sector entities. Such organizations can use the toolkit to facilitate collaborative discussions, mesh their goals with those of the educational institutions, where appropriate, and contribute effectively to the broader ecosystem. The inclusive and flexible nature of the toolkit’s design allows for a wide range of applications beyond academia. For any organization making use of the toolkit and its conversation guides, consider these key questions:

“What role should we be playing here?”
“What role are we playing currently?”
“What do we need to advance the entrepreneurial ecosystem collaboratively?”
“How will these conversations and resources help us to refine our understanding about the roles we should be playing?
“How will these resources shed light on the roles of other organizations?”
“How will these resources help shape collaborative activities within the context of these roles?”

To start working with others in your region without creating competition, focus on collaboration and shared goals. Begin by identifying common objectives and challenges within the ecosystem. Engage in open dialogues to understand each organization’s strengths and areas of expertise. Emphasize the benefits of collaboration, such as pooled resources and combined efforts, to address common issues. Building trust through transparency and clear communication is key. Seek to create win-win scenarios where all parties can benefit from the collaboration, thereby reducing the sense of competition.

As Mary Jove of Alvin Community College shared, from a breakout discussion at one of our drop-in office hours sessions, ecosystem building is like building a house. There’s a need for, and room for, all kinds of assets and contributions—when you build a house, you need carpenters, an electrician, a plumber, painters, etc. Ecosystems are the same—lots of different contributions will be needed and there’s no need for organizations to compete.

To overcome challenges in uniting varied stakeholders from economic development, community development, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, start by establishing common ground and shared objectives. Emphasize the overarching goal of regional development and how each sector contributes. Facilitate open dialogues to understand differing perspectives and cultures. Aligning goals may require compromise and flexibility. Encourage participants to see the value in different approaches and foster a culture of mutual respect. Regular communication and small-scale collaborative projects can build trust and understanding, leading to more substantial collaborations. The C•CUBE conversation guides are a great way of simply greasing the collaborative gears and helping organizations coming from different perspectives to simply start sharing those perspectives.

The toolkit aligns with the work of partner organizations including APLU, InBIA, NACCE, UEDA, and USASBE by emphasizing engagement with internal and external stakeholders, collaborative ecosystem building, innovation, and entrepreneurial development, which are core focuses of these organizations. It supports the shared goals of fostering entrepreneurship and engaging educational institutions in broader economic and community development. By using this toolkit, you’re undertaking work that complements the missions of these organizations, ensuring alignment with their objectives and your membership commitments.

After the Ecosystem Conversations Challenge ends next spring, the toolkit will continue to be a valuable resource for institutions and organizations involved in ecosystem building. It may be updated based on feedback from the Challenge, enhancing its usefulness. The toolkit could also serve as a foundational document for future initiatives and programs related to entrepreneurial ecosystem building. Participating institutions and organizations will continue to have access to and benefit from the toolkit for ongoing development and collaboration efforts. 

The partner organizations we’ve worked with—APLU, InBIA, NACCE, UEDA, and USASBE—will be working on strategies for highlighting the toolkit as a useful resource for member institutions. Be sure to reach out to your contacts at these organizations to find out more about the ways they will continue to advance the toolkit.

Toolkit development partners Venn Collaborative and the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh will also continue to develop offerings to support institutions and organizations in using the toolkit. Watch for more information about these offerings via email.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out via email, anytime. When reaching out, please email all three of the C•CUBE team leaders so that we can make sure you get a timely response:

Dr. Jim Woodell | Venn Collaborative | jim@venncollaborative.org

Arthur Smith | Venn Collaborative | arthur@venncollaborative.org

Dr. John Muraski | University of Wisconsin Oshkosh | muraskij@uwosh.edu

Also, please make liberal use of the C•CUBE LinkedIn group to share ideas with colleagues, and to ask for help! Many of your colleagues are likely facing the same challenges you are, and may have discovered solutions!

Representatives from higher education institutions, including, but not limited to, faculty and staff engaged in entrepreneurship ecosystem building, as well as their partners like entrepreneurs, support organizations, and economic development entities, are encouraged to participate.

The toolkit conversation guides utilize various conversation formats like 2×2 frameworks, World Café, and design thinking approaches, and others, adapting to different contexts for effective dialogue and brainstorming.

Participants in the Challenge receive structured guidance, learn new strategies, and can assess the toolkit’s effectiveness in their ongoing work. Rewards and exclusive webinars are also offered. See information above.

The best way to familiarize yourself with the topics and conversation guides in the toolkit is to actively engage with its contents. Start by reading about the toolkit’s structure and overview in this article: A Framework for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building in Higher Education Contexts. In this overview, we provide a broad understanding of the toolkit goals and methodology. Then, explore the Tools page, delving into specific topics and conversation guides one by one, focusing on their objectives, structure, and the suggested activities. The key is simply to look for things that prompt you to think “that sounds like what we need right now in our ecosystem…” We recommend that you discuss your observations about these topics with others. Working in small groups with colleagues can help in gaining a deeper understanding and ideas about how the content relates to your institution/organization and ecosystem, and which tools would be most useful in advancing your ecosystem building work now.

When inviting participants for ecosystem conversations, aim for a diverse and inclusive group. Include a range of organizations such as local businesses, non-profits, government agencies, and community groups. Although all organizations are important, prioritize those directly impacting or impacted by the ecosystem. Seek out individuals who have shown interest in community engagement and collaboration. To ensure representation from traditionally underestimated communities, actively reach out to leaders and groups within these communities, offering them prominent roles in the discussions, and also offering compensation for time and expertise wherever possible. It’s crucial to create an environment where all voices are valued and heard. Some specific types of organizations to consider: chambers of commerce, incubators and accelerators, small business development centers, philanthropic organizations, venture development organizations, economic development agencies and organizations, faith-based institutions, affinity-based entrepreneurial groups, for instance female entrepreneurs. Inclusion also means businesses of all sizes, from large traded sector companies to small main street shops.

Often, a “y’all come” approach can be very helpful at the beginning stages because you want to have as diverse as possible a set of perspectives, ideas, and potential resources; and don’t forget to ask the people you are convening who should be included and if they are aware of missing voices.

To select topics and conversation guides from the toolkit for the Challenge, start by evaluating the specific needs and priorities of your ecosystem. Consider factors like the current state of the ecosystem, prevalent challenges, and the goals of the participants. It might be helpful to begin with topics that are broadly relevant or address pressing issues in your community. We recommend you engage stakeholders in a preliminary discussion to gauge interest and relevance. The decision on which of the 12 topics or 36 conversation guides to start with is best made with collective input, in that way ensuring that the chosen topics are aligned with the most immediate and impactful areas of focus for your ecosystem all the participants will see potential value in the work.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem building is not a linear process! And the framework should not be considered as a sequential way of working. It’s likely that your work will be spread across multiple stages and themes. Accordingly, participation in the Challenge doesn’t require any linear progression through the framework topics. Instead, focus on the topics most relevant to your ecosystem’s current needs and goals, and the best sequence to work on this in your context. The toolkit is flexible, allowing you to choose conversation guides that best fit your objectives. This approach ensures that your engagement in the Challenge is both impactful and tailored to the unique dynamics of your ecosystem. 

We have tried to craft an experience with this toolkit that allows you to “choose your own adventure.” Start wherever it makes sense to you and your ecosystem partners, and proceed in whatever way seems most helpful.

When using the conversation guide for planning and conducting conversations, it’s important to use it as a flexible framework rather than a strict script. The guide is designed to provide structure and direction, but adapting it to the specific context, culture, and dynamics of your group is crucial. Focus on the objectives of the guide while allowing for organic discussion and input from participants. This approach ensures that the conversation remains relevant and engaging for all involved.

Yes, it’s absolutely okay to initially focus conversations on internal stakeholders within your college or university. Building a strong internal ecosystem is a crucial step before engaging effectively with external stakeholders. These internal discussions can help in understanding the existing dynamics, identifying areas for improvement, and building a cohesive approach towards ecosystem building. Establishing a clear internal strategy, and alignment across the institution, will improve the chances of effective and impactful collaboration with external partners and stakeholders. Consider what it might mean to “Be the ecosystem you wish to see in the world…”(To adapt a famous quotation about change.) If your institution/organization wants to be an effective partner in the ecosystem, it must first be an effective ecosystem itself. This conversation guide can help with this work. 

Including other higher education institutions in the region can be beneficial, despite potential competition. Focus on common goals in the entrepreneurship ecosystem and emphasize the unique assets that each institution brings. Start with open dialogues to build trust and explore areas of mutual interest. Acknowledge competitive aspects but steer conversations towards collaborative opportunities, shared challenges, and regional benefits. Gradual engagement, starting with less competitive areas, can lay the foundation for broader collaboration. This conversation guide can help with this work.

Matthew Gilbert, from MRG & Associates, an ecosystem building partner with University of Northern Iowa, suggests that engaging state-level coordinating bodies, like boards of regents or statewide associations, can be a very helpful way of getting the conversation going between multiple and varied institutions of higher education. 

Connect with others participating in the Challenge by visiting the C•CUBE LinkedIn group. We will also work on making a directory of participants available, with the option for participants to share their email address or other contact information. 

What do I need to do to participate in and successfully complete the Challenge?

To participate in and successfully complete the Challenge, you need to sign up by December 18. Then you will undertake a variety of other activities, including engaging your ecosystem partners in conversations. A Participation Checklist of items you need to complete is available here. 

The best format for these conversations depends on the specific context and goals. Virtual meetings offer convenience and wider accessibility, especially for geographically dispersed participants. Face-to-face meetings, on the other hand, are effective for building deeper connections and more engaged discussions. Traditional meetings are suitable for formal discussions and decision-making, while workshops can be more interactive and hands-on, ideal for brainstorming and collaborative problem-solving. The choice of format should align with the objectives of the conversation, the preferences of the participants, and the logistical possibilities.

You will need to adapt the conversation guides to the formats and tools that will work best with your organization and your ecosystem partners. Importantly, consider how you can undertake your conversations to maximize participation, especially by those who might face challenges like the need for child care, or travel reimbursement.

We recommend that you  include a diverse range of organizations and individuals such as local businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, non-profits, community leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and representatives from various sectors like technology, healthcare, hospitality, recreation, tourism, and the arts, etc. Ensure representation from different demographic groups and sectors to gain a comprehensive perspective. Engaging a mix of decision-makers and those directly affected by ecosystem changes is crucial for effective and inclusive discussions. And don’t neglect including the entrepreneurial voice.

To convince your colleagues and partners, highlight that participation in the Challenge offers structured guidance for ecosystem building, fosters collaboration, and enhances learning about new strategies. It’s an opportunity to assess and refine approaches to ecosystem engagement. Additionally, the toolkit provides adaptable resources to address specific ecosystem challenges. Participants can gain insights from other institutions, access to exclusive webinars, and recognition through rewards like limited edition lapel pins. Participation underscores commitment to collaborative growth and community development. 

For more details, visit the C•CUBE Ecosystem Conversations Challenge webpage.