System Entrepreneur Summit Oct 13–14

Kevindoylejones
Aug 9, 2017 · 2 min read

Neighborhood Economics Summit: Funding the System Entrepreneur

The need to develop community wealth in historically under resourced neighborhoods has never been greater. As systemic economic inequality and gentrification deepen, a focus on jobs alone will simply not do the job. Access to capital is key; because entrepreneurship is the path to wealth creation for historically marginalized communities. Startups in these communities can be job creators and cultivate durable community wealth, but a strategic shift within the ecosystem of the city will be necessary.

Over the past few years, “system entrepreneurs” also called “community quarterbacks” have emerged as the necessary role to leverage this change across a city’s ecosystem. What we’ve seen work is a single lead systems integrator for antipoverty work within a community, bringing together people who work across sectors.

The system entrepreneur coordinates organizations and institutions, and is a convener, a translator, and acts as a key focal point to drive maximum collective impact. However, funding this vital role has been a challenge. But now, anchor institutions are starting to see the potential potential return on investment for funding this position. We may be at a tipping point when we are able to fund this essential connective tissue role that has been shown to be the leverage point for community wealth creation.

We believe this convening could turn the tide.

This two day summit will feature dozens of system entrepreneurs, accelerators, anchor institutions, along with funders and underwriters including city’s, community and family foundations, CDFI’s, credit unions and banks, and millennials with inherited wealth, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. We will all be focused on discovering a path forward to fund system entrepreneurs in order to create community wealth in all of our neighborhoods.

If you believe this work simply must happen, if you want this to happen in your city or town, we need you in the room. Spots will be limited to leaders willing to role up their sleeves and accelerate this movement.

Kevindoylejones

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