As Manager of Ecosystem Research and Strategy for Startup Genome, I led a three-part online workshop followed by an in-person workshop with Netherlands-based Orange Corners (OC). The organization, managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency at the request of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, works to support young entrepreneurs in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

With this project, I aimed to share the critical building blocks that make up a startup ecosystem and share learnings on how to harness data-based approaches to create meaningful improvements in the entrepreneurial community.

The project had four main goals:

• Introduce the data-based tried and tested Startup Genome methodology to assessing startup ecosystems, namely via the Ecosystem Lifecycle Model and the Success Factor Model
• Provide real-world examples of solutions Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) have implemented to become advocates and community gatherers
• Deliver impact-based workshops meant for hub managers to take the experience and learnings with them for implementation in their local communities
• Present to Dutch embassy staff managing the Orange Corners program to discuss the role of an embassy in supporting the startup ecosystem

Introducing Startup Genome’s World-Leading Methodology

Beyond our team of serial entrepreneurs, public policy leaders, and data scientists, Startup Genome’s knowledge network brings together technology and economic development leaders globally. Our engagements with innovation policy leaders aim to provide clarity and build momentum for focused action to achieve maximum impact such as increased startup success and faster-growing startup ecosystems.

Together with our partners, such as the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN Global), we deliver holistic, evidence-based strategy frameworks for startup ecosystems across all phases of development. Thanks to our partners Crunchbase, Dealroom, and others we build and refine world-leading datasets and analytics methodologies. Our unique frameworks and methodologies are built with quantitative data and qualitative insights from over 90,000 startup executives across the world.

With Orange Corners, the majority of hubs are located in very early-stage/nascent ecosystems, such as Mozambique, Agola, Mali, and Sudan. A few notable later-stage ecosystems include Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa, while challenger ecosystems include Algeria, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire. As most of these ecosystems fall within Phase 1 (activation stage) according to Startup Genome’s Ecosystem Lifecycle Model, Orange Corners has a unique opportunity to support and grow its hubs using Startup Genome methodology.

An Impactful Workshop Series

Workshop 1

The first Orange Corners workshop provided an introduction to Startup Genome and our terminology, highlighting the importance of data-based processes. In this overview, over 40 participants from Orange Corners hubs learned the difference between startups and SMEs and became familiar with the Startup Genome Ecosystem Lifecycle Model, which reflects the journey of startup ecosystems across four phases of defined maturity.

The team was also introduced to the Startup Genome Success Factor Model, which analyzes the ecosystem in two layers - the Local System and the Global System. The Local System refers to all of the factors that are geographically present within the ecosystem, such as the founders themselves, access to early-stage finance (i.e., pre-seed, seed and sometimes Series A funding, which is almost always sourced locally), the presence and quality of ESOs, as well as the ability of founders to make meaningful connections amongst themselves and with key experts. The Global System recognizes that startup ecosystems exist within a global context and that there are more factors that affect the performance of an ecosystem than solely the elements physically and locally present.

With this established knowledge, participants were able to engage in a lively discussion about the difference between startups and SMEs and how it relates to their own programmatic initiatives and support services. The key concepts of Lifecycle and Success Factor models allowed OC implementation partners to better understand their own startup ecosystems from a methodologically sound perspective.

Workshop 2

The second workshop built upon learned concepts and focused on Startup Genome’s data-based approach to understanding ecosystems and making recommendations on what interventions should be prioritized. The startup funnel, a more granular approach to the lifecycle model, looks at where the gaps and bulk of startups are within the ecosystem concerning growth and allows for appropriate support interventions based on different stages.

The workshop then shifted from understanding concepts to practical advice by introducing the three key pillars of growth focusing on early-stages of development tailored to Orange Corners’ ecosystems: growing the number of startups, increasing the quality of startups, and increasing early-stage funding. Creating Keystone Teams was also recommended, a process involving engaging all stakeholders present in the ecosystem to advocate for the changes needed to benefit startups.

“[In the second workshop] Ethan discussed examples, success cases, and pitfalls from all corners of the globe to inspire our hubs to not only approach the methodology as a research tool, but also as a basis for advocacy on the changes their communities need to further develop and assist entrepreneurs along their journeys,” Orange Corners said.

Ethan leads a workshop on ecosystem strategy with Netherlands-based Orange Corners. Photo courtesy of Orange Corners.

Workshop 3

The third and final online workshop leveraged the introduced concepts to encourage hub managers to become ecosystem advocates through real-world examples of previous Startup Genome projects as inspiration for the realistic results hubs can seek to implement. Best practices from in-continent peers and other early-stage ecosystems were shared and hub managers were prompted to discuss what interventions would be most opportune for their ecosystems such as legislative issues, programmatic setup, and interest alignment.

Orange Corners was encouraged to think of themselves not simply as an ecosystem support organization, but as a potential ecosystem advocate capable of rallying the community and fomenting change for its startup ecosystems.

One-on-One Calls

Additional one-on-one calls with OC implementation partners allowed participants to clarify points and particularities of their ecosystem. Discussions included the place of universities in supporting the startup ecosystem, issues of social media commentary having a role in influencing programs and funding, and how to incorporate more startups into incubation programs when the vast majority of stakeholders are SMEs.

Orange Corners Connect Days

The project capstone was an in-person event at Oranger Corners’ annual event gathering their entire community of practice. The three-hour workshop focused on going from theory to practice, allowing hub managers and staff the opportunity to build upon their learnings and get inspired by the interventions their organization could lead or rally support to.

Orange Corners team members identify areas for growth in their ecosystem hubs. Photo courtesy of Orange Corners.

Participants were divided into groups and directed to choose one of the four Startup Genome success factors (Talent, Founder, Funding, Local Connectedness) they felt was in the most need of support in their local ecosystem. After brainstorming and designing a real-world, practical solution that their organization could lead, groups presented their ideas to the larger group, describing the issue and how their intervention would affect a positive outcome.

Some suggested interventions included a program wherein incubation programs and other ESOs could connect with universities to create a talent pipeline, focusing incubator programs on ensuring founders can dedicate their full time to the establishment and growth of their startups, incorporating more funding opportunities into the ecosystem such as advocacy campaigns to increase connectedness, and creating an event series to increase interactivity.

Orange Corners team members collaborate around ecosystem development using concepts learned at a Startup Genome-led workshop. Photo courtesy of Orange Corners.

An additional presentation was delivered during a special session for Dutch embassy staff focused on what role an embassy can play in supporting the startup ecosystem, particularly in early-stage locations. The session included a high-level review of core concepts, practical examples of the activities embassies are well-positioned to undertake to support the entrepreneurial ecosystem, real-world examples of embassy-based programs that improve aspects of the local startup ecosystem, and a panel discussion about issues facing Orange Corners programs and practical advice on how to better assist local startups.

The workshop series allowed Orange Corners to assess their entrepreneurial ecosystem and begin moving toward strategy, focusing on practical solutions for startup and ecosystem growth. Participant and Orange Corners Nigeria coordinator Great Uzakim said he came away with “inspiration for at least a year of work.”