In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly explores why mentorship is one of the most influential forces in any startup community. He breaks down how true mentorship works in practice and why it is more about trust, consistency, and honest connection than formal structures or titles. Chris also explains why great mentorship benefits both sides and how it strengthens the relationships that hold a community together.

He offers a look at the common misconceptions founders and mentors bring into the process and highlights what makes mentorship meaningful, accessible, and impactful. From vulnerability to shared experiences to showing up when it matters, Chris outlines the simple behaviors that help communities grow stronger.

If you are building, mentoring, or supporting founders, this episode will give you a grounded perspective on why mentorship matters and how to approach it with intention.

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In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly explores one of the most misunderstood forces in ecosystem building: influence.

Drawing from years of experience across startup communities around the world, Chris explains why the most impactful people in an ecosystem aren’t the ones with titles or budgets, but those who show up, connect others, and give first.

He breaks down the five archetypes of community influencers: the Convener, Evangelist, Connector, Mentor, and Optimist, and reveals six key behaviors that define their impact.

Whether you’re running an accelerator, hosting meetups, or simply passionate about helping founders thrive, this episode will help you understand how real influence works and how to build it in your own community.

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.