My Experience
Director of Ecosystem Building
Shenandoah Valley, VA
- Developed Valley Business Compass and actively managed outreach to drive adoption.
- Managed the Shenandoah Valley Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP), a 2-year SBA Hub and Spoke Model to support underresourced entrepreneurs in the Valley. Program results:
- 333 Entrepreneurs received 1:1 counseling (1,118 hours total)
- 2,941 Entrepreneurs received dedicated training during 800 training hours
- $489,549 in Capital added to the ecosystem ($165,000 in microloans and $321,000 in grants)
- Convened a committed regional coalition of entrepreneurship supporters to identify gaps and collaboratively work on solutions through mini working groups
- Co-hosted and facilitated 20+ events to help build the entrepreneurial community (one of my favorite things to do!), and
- Shared our observations in monthly field notes.
Ecosystem builder
Richmond, VA
From 2015 - 2018, I helpd build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Richmond, VA through these initiatives:
- Virginia's first B Keeper: I helped grow the community of Certified B Corps through training, events, community building and storytelling. (Here's a cute video about it!)
- Supported three startup cohorts at Lighthouse Labs RVA, a nationally ranked accelerator for high-growth startups
- Launched Virginia's first mini-accelerator for social entrepreneurs, Unreasonable Lab VA.
- Launched and ran 3 cohorts of CO.STARTERS RVA (main street and high-growth tracks).
- I can two cohorts of the startup pre-accelerator at Virginia Commonwealth University
- Helped local startup TaTaTopper raise $40,000 on Indiegogo.
- Co-founded RebelleCon, a 2-day conference for entrepreneurial women
National thought leader
Nationally
- I host a podcast about entrepreneurial ecosystem building: Ecosystems for Change
- From 2017 - 2020 I supported the ESHIP movement at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation as an ESHIP Champion. I co-led the Storytelling Working Group and launched a nationwide storytelling campaign called The Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building.
- I have interviewed close to 200 ecosystem builders from around the world.
- During the pandemic, I hosted a panel at the Skoll World Forum about the role of ecosystem builders as second responders
- Since 2015, I have consistently written about entrepreneurial ecosystem building on my own blog as well as Medium.
Testimonials
Anika is one of the top 5 thought leaders in the United States in entrepreneurial ecosystem building. It’s a new and emerging field, there’s lots to figure out and she has done more than many to help move the practice of entrepreneurial ecosystem building into main street approaches in economic and community development.
Andy Stoll
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Ecosystem Building Leadership Network
Anika is a true star in the entrepreneurial ecosystem building world! The key to her success is her passion and dedication to helping people and communities. She had a tremendous impact on the Shenandoah Valley by bringing together entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and even a national conference!
Peirce Macgill
Harrisonburg Economic Development
How to work with me
Pick my brain. Get unstuck. Receive tailored advice.
Are you facing an ecosystem-specific challenge and want some hands-on advice for how to move forward? Are you just starting out and wondering how others break down siloes and activate their ecosystem?
Ecosystem Consult
- Initial review of your ecosystem assets
- 90 minute consultation on your toughest ecosystem building challenges
- A recording of our session
- Customized recommendations for your unique situation and a follow-up list of resources and tools to guide your implementation
Investment: $500 (applied to Ecosystem partnership)
Bring me on board as a partner
If you're looking for ongoing support in your ecosystem building efforts, I will join your coalition as a fellow ecosystem builder. I'll lend my experience and expertise and can call on my international network of ecosystem builders to help us solve your toughest challenges. I'll treat your ecosystem and stakeholders like my own
Ecosystem Partnership
- Following an Ecosystem Consult, I support your ongoing efforts through regular (monthly or bi-weekly) check-ins, work sessions and personal follow-ups.
- If needed and feasible, I will visit your ecosystem in person and help facilitate conversations and convenings to move your ecosystem forward.
I'm invested for the long run: With a minimum commitment of 6 months I will help you develop your unique ecosystem strategy and support its execution.
Investment starts at $2,000 per month and depends on level in involvement.
Previous & Current Partners
