Shows / Builders Live
Builders Live
Conversations on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development.
Episodes
- Builders Live
Companies are getting smaller. What changes for economic development?
Companies are getting smaller. What does that mean for economic development? The median size of American firms has been declining for years, so are there…
- Builders Live
Why trust matters for regional economic growth
Imagine two communities with nearly identical physical assets, institutions, and tax incentives, but dramatically different economic outcomes. What causes the…
- Builders Live
How to build state-level systems for innovation
Nationally, we’re seeing variation in when states are driving tech, science and entrepreneurship economic development, and when it’s primarily taking place at…
- Builders Live
State strategies to support local ecosystems
Ecosystem building is coalition work, and there can be benefits and challenges to having a larger group of stakeholders. When does it make sense to take a…
- Builders Live
Can you intentionally build an innovation ecosystem? Lessons from Research Triangle Park
Since joining the Research Triangle Foundation in 2017, Scott Levitan has overseen a transformation of the 7,000-acre Research Triangle Park including a…
- Builders Live
What's happening to our entry-level workers?
What's really happening with entry-level workers? If it continues to get more difficult to start a career, that could create pipeline issues in the future with…
- Builders Live
Greater Cleveland's "All In" plan for economic development
Greater Cleveland Partnership has an "All In" plan to help the region grow, bringing together private, public and philanthropic partners to achieve that goal…
- Builders Live
The United States of Entrepreneurship
Ahead of the July 4th holiday and America's 250th anniversary, it's a special edition of our monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led…
- Builders Live
How entrepreneurship funding is changing
A lot of startup advice still assumes the goal is venture capital, but the funding landscape is changing for companies that want to grow but may not be chasing…
- Builders Live
Are entrepreneurs discovered or developed?
There's no shortage of great entrepreneurs out there, but not all of them will gain traction and break through. When it comes to successful founders, what…
- Builders Live
Is storytelling the missing piece in ecosystem building?
So much of the work of ecosystem building can be invisible and intangible. Can storytelling help change that? What impact can storytelling have on economic…
- Builders Live
Philanthropy's role in economic development
What is philanthropy's role in economic development, and how can it make the most impact? Economic development has historically been government's job —…
- Builders Live
Entrepreneurship is the start of the American economy
Entrepreneurship in America is at a pivotal moment. While more people are starting businesses, a small sliver are growing big and fast and far more are not…
- Builders Live
Gen Z, AI and the new geography of entrepreneurship
As entrepreneurship becomes more accessible, the geography of where founders start companies is expanding. New data from LinkedIn shows Gen Z founder growth…
- Builders Live
Can entrepreneurship save the American soul? Live at the Technical.ly Builders Conference 2026
As the United States approaches its 250th birthday, this live recording in Philadelphia takes up a big question: why does entrepreneurship remain such a…
- Builders Live
Inside Louisiana’s plan to build 1000 new high-growth startups
Nexus Louisiana has a goal to create 1000 new local tech startups by 2035 — but how is the org working to achieve that? What can those in Louisiana do to help…
- Builders Live
Today's k-shaped economy of entrepreneurship
Is the American entrepreneurship economy becoming k-shaped? The current business incorporation boom does include many thriving companies, but also many…
- Builders Live
Civic tech and AI in state government: risks and opportunities with New Jersey's CIO
In 2018, New Jersey launched the State Office of Innovation, which this January became codified in law as the New Jersey Innovation Authority — the first state…
- Builders Live
AI, workforce and economic development with Maryland's Lt. Governor
Since becoming Maryland's Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller has focused on matters including transportation, mental health, STEM equity and more. With a…
- Builders Live
Your ecosystem needs a system, not a hero
Many thriving ecosystems have long had one name and face attached to them — the person everyone credits with "making it happen." But is that a feature or a…
- Builders Live
The signal for local leaders inside the AI noise
As AI becomes increasingly prominent, the backlash grows along with it. How can tech leaders distinguish between productive skepticism and reactionary…
- Builders Live
Why isn't entrepreneurship already the center of economic development?
If new businesses create most net new jobs, why isn’t entrepreneurship already the center of economic development? Is it really about economics — or more about…
- Builders Live
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer: How can small states build their own entrepreneurship ecosystems?
How does building an entrepreneurship ecosystem look different in small states compared to large ones? Does a small state's size allow for faster innovation…
- Builders Live
Does blockchain have value left to give?
What is the current state of blockchain beyond the hype? Where is it actually working today, and where is it still falling short?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder…
- Builders Live
What the US Semiquincentennial means for entrepreneurship
With 2026 marking the US Semiquincentennial, what does this anniversary mean for entrepreneurship? Does this milestone matter, and how can ecosystem leaders…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: A Preview of Entrepreneur Ecosystems in 2026
What does 2026 have in store for entrepreneur ecosystems around the US?Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Sherrod Davis of EcoMap for a…
- Builders Live
Episode 12: The year in innovation ecosystems
Looking back on the year, what is the story of ecosystem building from 2025? What worked and what are the lessons for 2026?Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: How founders give back to their ecosystems
Many founders would not have become successful without the support of other experienced founders, but are current entrepreneurs still interested in fueling the…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: What makes healthcare different for entrepreneurs and investors
Healthcare and life sciences are more highly regulated than other industries, and navigating that complex landscape can pose unique challenges for…
- Builders Live
Episode 11: AI and local entrepreneurship
Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: Insights from a new report on regional innovation economies
The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center just released its 2025 Advancing Regional Innovation Economies report, examining how policy, practice and markets expand…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: The university’s changing role as startup accelerators
Universities have long been involved in translating research into products and companies, and that's become a large part of regional innovation ecosystems. But…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: When do accelerators actually work?
Modern accelerator programs have used a variety of methods to support startups over the past two decades — but what's the most effective way to help…
- Builders Live
Episode 10: Data Centers
Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: What it means for a startup to be “investor-ready”
How can a founder know they're ready to pursue capital, and how can they maximize their chances of successfully finding investors?Technical.ly CEO and…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: How the word for "entrepreneur" has changed over time
When you hear the word "entrepreneur," what comes to mind? It can be a pretty broad term, meaning different things depending on who's using it and when. So how…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: Ecosystem building in Louisiana's energy future
What does it take to mobilize an ecosystem around a common goal? The Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) coalition is doing just that, bringing together…
- Builders Live
Episode 9: Housing’s impact on entrepreneurship
Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Rae'Mah Henderson of Techstars and and Technical.ly cofounder and…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: What's changing about how entrepreneurs are forming new businesses?
Post-pandemic, entrepreneurship is up by many measures. With recent changes in regulation and compliance, what's different now about how entrepreneurs are…
- Builders Live
Episode 8: Parent Entrepreneurship
Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maria Underwood of TechBirmingham and and Technical.ly cofounder…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: Insights from the Global Startup Ecosystem Report
The recently-released 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of startup ecosystems worldwide. What are the…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: How can the post-pandemic entrepreneurship boom continue?
We've seen an entrepreneurship boom post-pandemic, especially among women and people of color. How do we both acknowledge and celebrate that progress, while…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: What Pittsburgh solving a garbage truck problem can teach about better government services
Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Geoff Webster of Pittsburgh Futures Collaborative and Jake Pawlak, Deputy Mayor & Director Office of…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: How to decide where to found a startup
What factors go into an entrepreneur's decision on where to live and work, and how can regions attract more founders and companies? Technical.ly CEO and…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: What worked (and what didn’t) in Philly economic development
What do recent exits and tech job trends indicate about Philadelphia's economic development, and how does the city compare with other regions around the…
- Builders Live
Episode 7: The politicization of higher education and its impact on innovation
Builders Live co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss the role of…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: Inside entrepreneurship's shift of economic development
Is the ecosystem building community a passing trend or a lasting change, and what's different about the climate for entrepreneurship now? Technical.ly…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: The State of Civic Technology Now
Technical.ly CEO and cofounder Chris Wink is joined by Christopher Whitaker, executive director of the Alliance of Civic Technologists for a conversation about…
- Builders Live
Bonus Episode: Unveiling new tools for Ecosystem Builders from EcoMap
Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink is joined by Sherrod Davis, CEO of EcoMap Technologies, to discuss the evolution of the concept of "ecosystem…
- Builders Live
Episode 6: Optimism, Entrepreneurship and the American Dream
Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maria Underwood of TechBirmingham and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink…
- Builders Live
Episode 5: Pro-entrepreneur policies for state and local government
Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss government policies to…
- Builders Live
Episode 4: How much should ecosystems chase capital?
Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Maria Underwood of Moxi, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink debate…
- Builders Live
Episode 3: What’s different about rural ecosystem building
Co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Maria Underwood of Moxi, and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss challenges and opportunities in rural…
- Builders Live
Episode 2: How local ecosystem builders navigate national politics
Co-hosts Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Victor Hwang of Right to Start, and Technical.ly cofounder and CEO Chris Wink discuss strategies in local…
- Builders Live
Episode 1: Introducing Our New Podcast Format
The first episode of our new monthly podcast features co-hosts Victor Hwang of Right to Start, Brian Brackeen of Lightship Capital, Maija Ehlinger of…
- Builders Live
Builders Live: Introducing Our New Podcast Format
Join us for the launch and first episode of our new monthly podcast on ecosystem building and entrepreneur-led economic development featuring co-hosts Victor…