Hello Reader,

I recently joined the Core Team of the ESHIP Alliance—a field-building initiative I’ve been involved with since its inception. (Curious? I shared more in Issue #107.) My role now is to help shape how storytelling and communication can make ecosystem building more visible and meaningful across the U.S.

Which got me thinking about community.

We toss the word around a lot; there’s a community for everything: CrossFitters, “boss babes,” moms, book lovers. But the truth is, launching a real community—online or in person—takes more than holding space and hoping people will show up.

I keep coming back to a powerful idea Fabian Pfortmüller shared at the 2018 ESHIP Summit (watch the video here): the shift from transactional community (“What can I get?”) to relational community (“What can I contribute to co-create the future I want?”). That feels like the heartbeat of what we’re trying to build.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be exploring the Community Canvas - now evolved into the Community Weaving Framework - to see what tools and mindsets might help us build stronger, more vibrant ecosystems. But I don’t want to do this alone.

👉 I’d love to hear from you: What community are you dreaming of building (or already working with)? What challenges keep you up at night? Just hit reply—I’d be thrilled to swap ideas and learn from your experiences.

Here’s what else you’ll find in this issue:

• 📑 Free download: Chris Heivly’s hardest-won lessons on building thriving startup communities (Ecosystem Essential)
• 🍂 Fall reading: What’s on my bookshelf
• 🤝 An invitation to be in community
• 🎙️ Shen-Anika-ns: 6 new ecosystem-building podcasts I don’t want you to miss

Ecosystem Essentials: Build Your Startup Community

In the last issue of Impact Curator (revisit issue #109 here), I introduced my brand new series The Future of Ecosystem Building: conversations with some of the sharpest minds and most seasoned practitioners in our field to uncover where we’re headed and how we can do better.

I couldn’t imagine a better person to kick things off with than Chris Heivly—co-founder of MapQuest, longtime Techstars leader, author, mentor, speaker and ecosystem builder par excellence.

Chris has spent decades building and advising startup communities around the world, and together we distilled his most powerful lessons into a practical, no-fluff how-to guide you can use right away. Think of it as a free masterclass in ecosystem building - delivered straight to your inbox.

Inside this month’s Ecosystem Essential, you’ll learn how Chris:

• 🧨 Turned Raleigh–Durham into a thriving hub by making hidden founders and resources visible
• ⚡ Built momentum through short-term wins that inspired lasting confidence
• 🔄 Designed Startup Week for leadership transition—proving sustainability comes from shared ownership
• 🌎 Shared insights with cities worldwide, translating complex systems thinking into actionable strategies

👉 Download your free copy here: Ecosystem Essentials: Thriving Startup Communities (And yes—please pass it on to a fellow ecosystem builder who could use it!)

Bookish

What I read in September:

• ​All the way to the river, Elizabeth Gilbert. This is a non-fiction book unlike anything I've ever read. Who knew addiction, love and loss could be so un-put-downable?
• ​Counterfeit, Kristin Chen. I'm SO excited to co-host tomorrow's International Book Club at Staunton Books & Tea with local author Clifford Garstang. We'll be discussing Counterfeit by Kristin Chen - a book that had my pulse racing this last week. Well written, a quick-moving plot and a compelling, charmingly flawed main character.

Invitation: Join me (and other ecosystem builders!) in person!

From November 4–7, I’ll be at the Fall Summit of the Startup Champions Network in Augusta, GA.

This is one of my favorite gatherings—three days with ecosystem builders from across the U.S., unpacking the complex challenges of our work and what they mean for us personally.

Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to the field, you’ll find inspiration, clarity, and connection. Come join us!

Shen-Anika-ns

Podcast fans, rejoice—six new shows have hit the scene, and I don’t want you to miss them:

• Following the publication of The Startup Community Way, Brad Feld launched the Your Startup Community podcast in 2020 to delve deeper into some of the book's concepts. After a two-year hiatus, Chris Heivly picked the show back up and is sharing 20-minute (-ish) episodes about building thriving startup communities. Check out Your Startup Community.
• Co-author of The Startup Community Way, Ian Hathaway, launched his new show called Outsider Inc. in which he interviews visionary leaders breaking the mold of tech entrepreneurship.
• ​All Things Eqall is Holly Burrow's show. She describes it as "a space for the ecosystem builders, ESOs, municipalities, and universities working behind the scenes to talk about what it takes to create real, scalable impact."
• Going super local, I want to make sure you don't miss Cameron Cushman's brand-new podcast Fort Worth Innovates. If you're wondering how to tell your ecosystem's story - this is it!
• Aaron Taylor, ecosystem builder in Columbia, SC, just launched his podcast Ecosystems, Scale! In his inaugural episode, he sits down with the one and only Kevin Carter of EcoMap Technologies to talk about mapping entrepreneurial ecosystems.
• Lastly, if you're more into conceptual frameworks and big-picture thinking, don't sleep on Claire Wathen's podcast, The Web of Us. After nine years at the Skoll Foundation, Claire just announced that she's stepping down. I enjoy the premise of her show: Exploring the visible and invisible networks that shape how we live, work, and lead.

All six shows cover a wide spectrum of themes and quality, which leads me to believe that there's a show here for everyone. If you're feeling generous, give them a rating - that's how podcasts attract sponsors and it's great feedback for the creators of the show!

Speaking of which: I'm opening up sponsorship opportunities for season 8 of Ecosystems for Change🎙 in November! If you're interested in sponsoring, click here to add yourselfto the early-invite list.

I'll be back in your inbox in two weeks with a new Builder Deep Dive!

In camaraderie,

Anika

P.S. Missed my last newsletter? Check out the previous issues of Impact Curator.