To kick off this year’s Tech Cocktail Celebrate Conference, a panel of experts discussed how to create cities where collaboration is encouraged. An entrepreneurial hub needs to be a place where collisions happen and startups grow. Dylan Jorgensen led the conversation by asking panelists to describe a framework that can be applicable in any region.
Creating a hub means putting egos aside
In order for people to collaborate, goals need to be established and egos put aside. Trey Bowles, founder of the Dallas Entrepreneur Center, explained that a major part of building Dallas’s startup community was dealing with large egos and finding commonalities.
“We had to lead by example. So we put our ego aside and started to bring people together who were willing to collaborate. And remind people that the goal is to build an ecosystem,” said Bowles.
“To be part of this community, you need to be willing to give back to members,” explained Donna Harris, cofounder of 1776 in DC.
Members who want to be part of the entrepreneurial community need to be willing to participate and understand their roles in creating a sustainable ecosystem.
“We depend on connectors. They approach problems differently by giving solutions. If you have connectors in your community, find ways to empower them because they are essential to your community,” said Sarah Hill, director of entrepreneurship at Las Vegas’s Work in Progress.
In addition, the most helpful community members are not only willing to contribute to the community’s growth but also willing to learn – humble.
“We look for people who are willing to learn, and that is what entrepreneurship is all about,” added Jim Deters, founder of Denver-based Galvanize.
