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Technical.ly
10-06-2025
- Business
- Technical.ly
Meet the ESHIP Alliance: New name for the national ecosystem building movement
Andy Stoll has one t-shirt, loads of post-it notes and a new job that's a lot like his old job. Stoll is the founding executive director of what is now called the ESHIP Alliance, a nonprofit startup that announced its new name last week in Indianapolis at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC). The GEC is a global conference organized by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (or GEN, which is lovingly pronounced like the name Jen by its many admirers). Stoll made his announcement alongside GEN founder and CEO Jonathan Ortmans, and right before Right to Start's Victor Hwang, another entrepreneurship booster with his own big announcement. They're just three of a constellation of groups that have spun off from the Kauffman Foundation 's decades-long investment in entrepreneurship. Last year, Kauffman announced plans to narrow its focus to economic opportunity in its hometown of Kansas City, winding down its national programming funding. Stoll joked that his ESHIP Alliance could be the younger sister to GEC, which makes the Kauffman Foundation mom and dad, and Hwang a kind of attentive uncle — with plenty of cousins and lots of folksy Midwestern charm to go around. Catching the ecosystem-building bug Stoll was a local organizer in Iowa first, working on startups and gatherings in the early 2000s and 2010s. Hwang, once an influential Kauffman executive, gave Stoll the language to describe what he and thousands of others were doing. 'Victor told me: What you're doing is the future of place-based economic development,' Stoll said. 'And I said: I'm doing the what of what?' In 2012, Hwang published ' The Rainforest,' a widely cited book on local economic development, and in 2017 hired Stoll. Together they produced Kauffman's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building Playbook, which put institutional heft behind rag-tag community efforts flourishing around the country. From 2017-2019, Stoll was emcee and organizer of annual Kauffman-backed ESHIP Summits. Hundreds came from around the country to discuss rebuilding their local economies from the ground up: some were there as part of their jobs, many others were not. But most talk fondly and passionately about being part of something that seemed overlooked then and is now taken more seriously. Stoll and his team would stock up on colorful post-it notes, markers and engagement activities. As a 2023 report on the origins of inclusive entrepreneurship tracked, many grassroots efforts to reshape local economies took hold after the Great Recession and steadily grew during the 2010s. One of the most enduring is the 'entrepreneurial ecosystem building' that is sometimes called ' place-based economic development ' among industry insiders. Their shared and primary push: state and local policymakers and civic leaders should put entrepreneurship at the center of their strategies for economic growth, opportunity and development. Like scripture passages, these believers cite studies showing that new businesses create effectively all net new jobs, and that each 1% increase in entrepreneurship correlates with 2% declines in poverty. The ecosystem metaphor teaches that big institutions are vital, but must prioritize the many differently sized, aged and types of organizations that overlap to make an economy. NRPs: National ecosystem resource providers Stoll is friendly, chatty, and millennial nerd chic enough to be among the movement's leaders, backed by the influence and checkbook of the Kauffman Foundation. Over a decade-plus, from an early Startup Champions summit to SXSW activations and beyond, I've seen Stoll at his most comfortable in a t-shirt, effusing folksy modesty while cracking self-effacing jokes and serving as a community historian of the work, preferably leading an exercise on collaboration with post-it notes. Pushed out of the comfortable confines of the Kauffman Foundation, Stoll is now stitching together a coalition so this on-the-ground change can last. Among his partners is Black-entrepreneurship focused Forward Cities, which also got its start with Kauffman funding and has been long led by Stoll's years-long collaborator Fay Horwitt. Together this week, they introduced the ESHIP Alliance's renewed focus to a network of so-called national ecosystem resource providers (NRPs) — organizations that address needs common to many ecosystems or state and local entrepreneurial communities. 'At its core, this alliance is about strengthening the profession of ecosystem building across the United States,' Stoll said in a GEC session. 'We need entrepreneurship, we need ecosystems, but we need to center equity so anyone, anywhere who wants to be an entrepreneur has the opportunity to participate.' The alliance will gather these resource providers and help advance and formalize 'ecosystem building' as a discipline for state and local governments to embrace. Events, training material and policy positions will help. As part of that work the ESHIP Alliance launched the ESHIP Commons, a social network intended to help ecosystem builders connect, share ideas and find resources. What's next for the ESHIP Alliance Turns out Technically itself is an NRP, so I was at one of Stoll's tables at GEC — years since the last time I saw him in action. On stage, he guided about a hundred NRP leaders through a series of exercises to identify the next set of challenges and potential solutions for ecosystem building. Much to attendee amusement, Stoll's presentation included a photo of him from years ago wearing the same 'Mass Collaboration' t-shirt he wore this week, signaling that while much has changed, many faces haven't. Horrowit was up next with an exercise that cleverly required attendees to never reference funding as a problem. As she said, 'That's a problem for everyone, give us something new.' That let us focus on more specific obstacles to advance the work of centering entrepreneurship in local policymaking and economic development. Good for an exercise, but what's next? Stoll, like this conversation, has graduated from the Kauffman nest (the group was initially called the Ecosystem Builders Leadership Network, so the rebrand gives it a fresh start). Entrepreneurship rates have surged post pandemic, led by women and people of color. That's caught the attention of serious state and local leaders. Stoll, Hwang and so many others have for years advocated for a bigger stage, and now they have it. Stoll donned a dress shirt to get on the GEC main stage and announce his organization's new name. He seemed more at home the next day in his t-shirt, pushing all of us who support local entrepreneurship and innovation efforts across the country. Said Stoll: 'We have who we need in the room.'
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New Exciting Experiences Await Travelers this Summer in Daytona Beach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Daytona Beach area, known for its beautiful beaches, rich motorsports history and family-friendly attractions, will have new experiences, amenities and exhibits for visitors to enjoy this summer vacation season. Whether it's a first-time or returning visitor, there will be new coastal fun to discover in Daytona Beach this summer. Here's a look at some of the new developments within the destination: The Rainforest Set to Open at Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure: The much anticipated rainforest portion of the Daytona Aquarium & Rainforest Adventure will open this summer at the destination's first aquarium offering. The new Rainforest will feature multiple species of mammals and exotic birds including Toucans, Sloths, Otters, Tamarins, and many more. The 55,000 square-foot facility, which opened last year, features more than 50 separate exhibits including a 110,000-gallon shark exhibit and a guest-favorite 10,000-gallon stingray touch pool. The Daytona Aquarium and Rainforest will post updates on the official opening date of The Rainforest to their website and social media platforms. New Exhibits at Museum of Arts & Sciences: The Smithsonian-affiliated Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS), the 100,000-square foot art, science and history museum, will have two new exhibits for visitors to enjoy. Shoosty Bugs Exhibit features the work of Stephen Shooster. Also known as Shoosty, Shooster is a fine artist and writer whose works display multiple themes and styles, concentrating on music, landscapes, and conceptual art. At the Cici & Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, which is located on the MOAS campus, It's a Ship Show has opened and will take guests on a visual voyage through Florida's maritime history. Both exhibits will remain open through Jan. 4, 2026. Veterans Memorial Plaza: Located on the northwest corner of the Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge in Downtown Daytona Beach, the Veterans Memorial Plaza recently opened and provides a dedicated location where residents and visitors can memorialize and honor the valiant men and women who lost their lives while defending our freedom. Features include flags representing the six branches of the U.S. Military, a World War 1 memorial, and a six-foot-fire monument with the names of Volusia County residents who died in the line of duty. Marine Science Center: Located in Ponce Inlet, the Marine Science Center is undergoing a $4.2 million renovation that will bring new marine exhibits and expand areas for public education, staff and volunteers. The Marine Science Center is expected to reopen on June 23. Coke Zero Sugar 400: After a one-year absence, the NASCAR regular-season finale returns to the Coke Zero Sugar 400, scheduled for Saturday night, Aug. 23. This year's 160-lap, 400-mile race will be the final opportunity for drivers to secure their spot in the 10-race battle for the NASCAR Cup Series championship. International Speedway Blvd. ramp and World's Most Famous Beach Sign: The International Speedway Blvd. beach approach at A1A, where the iconic "World's Most Famous Beach" sign is located, has reopened after the completion of a ramp improvement project. The upgraded ramp features three lanes to improve traffic flow onto the beach and enhance the overall beach experience. Also reopening is Sam's Coal Fired Pizza, a popular pizza shop located adjacent to the ramp that was closed during the improvement project. Jackie Robinson Ballpark: Fans attending Daytona Tortugas minor league baseball games this summer will notice significant improvements to Jackie Robinson Ballpark, where ground-breaking African-American baseball player Jackie Robinson played in the first integrated Major League Baseball spring training game in 1946. The facility is undergoing a multi-million, multi-year renovation project that will be completed in phases. Among the enhancements completed ahead of this season are the replacement of 1,300 seats, a new sound system, the batter's eye located in center field and the foul poles. Ambros Daytona: Daytona Beach's newest hotel property, Ambros Daytona, opened in the spring in Daytona Beach Shores. The 50-room independent boutique lifestyle hotel offers an elevated relaxed environment with a mix of single king rooms, double queen rooms and suites that cater to families, singles and couples. Half of the rooms feature kitchenettes. Mystic Lobster: Located within the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, a new fast-casual seafood chain, Mystic Lobster, has opened serving a variety of lobster rolls, crab cakes, lobster tacos, sandwiches, soups, salads and more. Plan Your TripWith 23 miles of white-sand beaches, new family-friendly experiences, and world-class dining, Daytona Beach is more than just a beach—it's a destination of discovery. Start planning your unforgettable vacation now. About the Daytona Beach Area | #LoveDaytonaBeachOften called home of the world's most famous beaches, Daytona Beach, Florida, continues to delight and surprise visitors with its diverse and growing array of attractions. The Daytona Beach area is made up of several cities and towns including Ormond Beach, Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Holly Hill and South Daytona. The destination has long been known for its iconic beaches and rich auto racing history but today a slate of exciting new attractions, upscale lodging, a vibrant arts scene and an amazing collection of parks, preserves and outdoor activities are all part of Daytona Beach's year-round appeal. To receive a complimentary Daytona Beach Destination Guide, find a place to stay, or book your next adventure, visit #LoveDaytonaBeach. Media Contact:Andrew Booth, Daytona Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureauabooth@ | (386) 255-0415, ext. 125 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
