The Four Stages of Startup Community Maturity

In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly unpacks one of the most common questions ecosystem leaders ask: “Where are we in our startup community journey?”

Drawing from over 15 years of experience working with founders and city builders around the world, Chris introduces a simple four-stage framework for understanding ecosystem maturity: nascent, developing, emerging, and sustaining.

You’ll learn how to recognize the stage your community is in, why so many ecosystems get stuck in “developing,” and what it takes to build trust, momentum, and resilience over time.

Whether you’re just starting out or leading a thriving network, this episode will help you see the bigger picture, avoid common traps, and take the next step toward a truly self-sustaining startup community.

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