NACCE: Realizing a Fully Functional Start-UP Community
Entrepreneurs often focus on growth at any cost — but true success comes from balance. The BALANCE Framework helps founders build businesses that scale without sacrificing well-being, purpose, or sustainability. Discover how this powerful system can guide your journey to a business — and life — that works together.
Realizing a Fully Functional Start-UP Community
Dr. Greg Watson will be speaking at the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship and leading the session Breakout 1 titled “Realizing a Fully Functional Start-UP Community”. This session focuses on the key actors and roles involved in developing a successful and fully functional startup community.
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship is holding their 2024 fund/SHIFT Advancement Conference at Pima Community College bringing together college, foundation, workforce, and industry experts.
The second annual conference focuses on
College & Advancement Leaders- Establish high-level connections with other professionals, foundation leaders, and government officials.
Industry Leaders– Connect with employers and other industry partners who can fund programs on your campus, hire your students, and serve on your advisory boards.
Faculty & Workforce Development Leaders– Learn about the future of work, funding opportunities, and the role of artificial intelligence.
Dr. Greg Watson will be speaking and leading the session Breakout 1 titled “Realizing a Fully Functional Start-UP Community”. This session focuses on the key actors and roles involved in developing a succsessful and fully functional startup community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HjwPjoLYmw&t=4s
The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship is holding their 2024 fund/SHIFT Advancement Conference at Pima Community College bringing together college, foundation, workforce, and industry experts.
The second annual conference focuses on
College & Advancement Leaders- Establish high-level connections with other professionals, foundation leaders, and government officials.
Industry Leaders– Connect with employers and other industry partners who can fund programs on your campus, hire your students, and serve on your advisory boards.
Faculty & Workforce Development Leaders– Learn about the future of work, funding opportunities, and the role of artificial intelligence.Social Wealth: The richness of our relationships and networks.
Physical Health Wealth: The vitality that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Mental Health Wealth: The cognitive and emotional fitness to tackle life’s challenges.
Time Freedom Wealth: The appreciation of time as a finite and precious resource.
Financial Wealth: The traditional measure of success, yet one that should serve as a tool for freedom rather than an end goal.
Dr. Greg Watson will be speaking and leading the session Breakout 1 titled “Realizing a Fully Functional Start-UP Community”. This session focuses on the key actors and roles involved in developing a successful and fully functional startup community.
In the context of entrepreneurship, the “entrepreneurship ecosystem metaphor ” is often used to describe the startup community. A complex network of interdependent actors – individuals[person], organizations[organization], institutions[GovernmentOrganization, CollegeOrUniversity,NGO] and factors that influence an entrepreneur’s journey, including elements both conducive and inhibitive to entrepreneurship [often LocalBusiness] for this startup community, this entrepreneurial ecosystem. Research from Startup Camel suggests that to strengthen the ecosystem, multiple parts of the ecosystem must be strengthened simultaneously – in other words, we function as a system, and no one can truly go-it-alone.
This workshop will explore the Success Characteristics and Players in successful startup communities, both from an academic research perspective as well as perspective of entrepreneurs seeking assistance and support from these systems, and corporate entities seeking partnerships, innovation, growth, and acquisitions from this community.
An entrepreneurial opportunity is a situation in which a person can create a new product, service, or process that is likely to be successful in the market. Recognizing and exploiting these opportunities is a key aspect of entrepreneurship.
Speaker Bio: Professor Watson is a leading speaker on entrepreneurship and education. His motivational lectures on modern learning technologies, assessment, and the engaged learner experience have inspired today’s learner and challenged educators to update their approach to teaching.
Dr. Greg Watson is a serial entrepreneur and retired professor of entrepreneurship and former director of the center for teaching and learning. As co-chair of the #5 ranked Entrepreneurship New Venture Development program – he lead a mentor team overseeing student entrepreneurial ventures from the ideation stage to value proposition to validation to launch. With an emphasis on the entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial spirit Greg helps you discover that dream.
“You didn’t learn to ride a bike in a workshop” (Sandler) – finding the right entrepreneurial mentor, training, program or entrepreneurship course is often the difference between success and failure.
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What is an entrepreneurship ecosystem and why does it matter?
An entrepreneurship ecosystem is the network of people, organizations, resources, and culture that supports startup success. Strong ecosystems fuel innovation, create jobs, and help new ventures thrive through collaboration, mentorship, and shared knowledge.
How can I engage with my local entrepreneurship ecosystem?
Start by connecting with local business networks, mentorship programs, startup incubators, and entrepreneurship events. Building relationships within the ecosystem opens doors to partnerships, funding, and expert guidance.
What role does Dr. Greg Watson play in the entrepreneurship ecosystem?
Dr. Greg Watson is both an academic researcher and a community leader who helps build stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems through education, mentoring, and innovative program design. His work bridges academic insight and real-world impact, empowering entrepreneurs at all stages.
Why are academic leaders important in entrepreneurship ecosystems?
Academic leaders bring research, frameworks, and critical thinking that help ecosystems grow smarter and stronger. They provide education, mentorship, and the tools entrepreneurs need to turn ideas into sustainable businesses.
How do entrepreneurship ecosystems drive local economic growth?
By supporting new ventures, ecosystems create jobs, attract investment, and foster innovation. Thriving ecosystems help cities and regions stay competitive in today’s fast-changing economy.
What makes a fully functional startup community?Is it realistic for entrepreneurs to have balance during startup stages?
A fully functional startup community connects founders to the resources they need: funding, mentors, talent, customers, and supportive policies. It’s a place where collaboration is the norm and success is shared.
How does Dr. Greg Watson help build startup communities?How can entrepreneurs build balance into their business model?
Dr. Watson designs programs, workshops, and partnerships that strengthen connections between entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and local leaders. His work helps communities create the conditions where startups can thrive.
How can entrepreneurs benefit from ecosystem engagement?Can balance actually make my business more successful?
Entrepreneurs who engage deeply with their ecosystem gain access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and partnerships that accelerate growth. Ecosystem engagement turns isolation into collaboration — and ideas into impact.
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We all have different paths to success, some have achieved it and some have just taken the first step.
True Entrepreneurship:
Creating Value For Others
Watson is a leading speaker on entrepreneurship and education. His motivational lectures on modern learning technologies, assessment, and the engaged learner experience have inspired today’s learner and challenged educators to update their approach to teaching.
Dr. Greg Watson is a serial entrepreneur and retired professor of entrepreneurship and former director of the center for teaching and learning. As co-chair of the #5 ranked Entrepreneurship New Venture Development program – he lead a mentor team overseeing student entrepreneurial ventures from the ideation stage to value proposition to validation to launch. With an emphasis on the entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial spirit Greg helps you discover that dream.
“You didn’t learn to ride a bike in a workshop” (Sandler) – finding the right entrepreneurial mentor, training, program or entrepreneurship course is often the difference between success and failure.
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