Some may be surprised to know that Charlotte has a rich history of entrepreneurial success stories. In 2012, however, will be the year that Charlotte entrepreneurs, small businesses and corporations begin to actively cultivate a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Since the Charlotte Chamber’s inter-city visit to Seattle in June of 2011 and the Fall 2011 Entrepreneurs Summit, there has been renewed interest and energy around creating a local climate that is more conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation.  Seattle, along with regions such as Silicon Valley in California and Austin, Texas provide economic models that Charlotte can look to as examples, while carving out its own unique path.

Charlotte has many of the necessary assets that a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem requires, but in order to create the jobs we need for our rapidly growing population, those assets will have to be scaled to new heights. Some of the resources we already have are our local colleges and universities, financial institutions, government-funded business programs, and entrepreneurship networks and incubators.  We have to strengthen these existing assets, find creative ways to coordinate efforts, and identify new opportunities to stimulate innovation.

Desired Outcomes include from Charlotte’s collective efforts

1. Stimulating entrepreneurial idea generation, and growth oriented entrepreneurial ventures in key industry sectors.
   
2. Aligning the requisite business and community resources to vett and channel entrepreneurial innovation.
3. Leveraging financial and intellectual capital along with expertise to seed and nurture entrepreneurs and a entrepreneurial climate.
   
4. Establishing an entrepreneurial ecosystem that serves as a icubator/accelerator/catalyst for entrepreneurial activity.
   
5. Establishing a business climate that champions entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship as a vital component of Charlotte’s economic strength

Key Initiatives/Discussions underway include:

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Series – The Charlotte Chamber will host a series of entrepreneurial workshops (“Labs”).  The entrepreneurship Labs will provide entrepreneurs and small business owners with an informative and interactive learning experience that will enhance their potential for success, and build stronger relationships within the entrepreneurial community.  Collaborative efforts in discussion to foster such a climate include:

• Identifying and re training talent with entrepreneurial aptitude to work in start-up, entrepreneurial ventures.

• Connecting  entrepreneurial ideas with the entrepreneurs who can manage those ideas from concept to commercialization.

• Establishing a public/private early Stage Start-up Fund  to provide funding to targeted high-growth start-ups.

• Developing an integrated, strategic approach by leveraging Charlotte’s resources to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation