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.

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In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths about startup ecosystems: they are complex systems, not complicated systems.

Drawing from systems theory and research from The Startup Community Way by Brad Feld and Ian Hathaway, Chris explains why treating communities like predictable engines leads to frustration and failure. Startup communities can’t be engineered with step-by-step playbooks. They evolve, adapt, and respond in unexpected ways.

Through clear examples and practical insights, you’ll learn how to shift from control to influence, why shiny innovation hubs often sit empty, and how connections and feedback loops shape momentum.

If you’re a founder, investor, or community leader, this episode will challenge the way you think about ecosystems and help you adopt the mindset needed to truly make them thrive.

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In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly shares 11 hard-earned “community truths” gathered from more than 15 years of building startup communities across the globe.

These aren’t tactics or five-year plans; they’re guiding principles that reveal what actually makes a startup scene thrive. From why comparing cities is a trap and why spaces are just tools (not solutions), to the difference between conveners and influencers, Chris lays out insights that challenge conventional wisdom and shift your perspective.

If you’re a founder, community leader, or city builder, this episode will help you focus on what truly drives momentum: connections, collaboration, and a founder-first mindset.

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In this episode of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly tackles a common but critical question: is there a difference between a startup community and an entrepreneurial ecosystem? The short answer, yes. The longer answer could shape the future of your city’s startup scene.

Using vivid metaphors and lessons learned from building ecosystems across 20+ countries, Chris explains why thriving communities must come before flashy innovation centers or government programs. He unpacks the key players in each stage, why the first 25 founders matter more than any ribbon-cutting, and how skipping steps can stall an entire region’s entrepreneurial potential.

Whether you’re a founder, a corporate leader, or an economic development pro, this episode shows why real startup energy starts small, grows founder-first, and only then enables the larger ecosystem.

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In the season two premiere of Your Startup Community, Chris Heivly returns with a powerful reminder: startup scenes might get the headlines, but true communities build the future.

Drawing from decades of experience and his work with ecosystems around the world, Chris breaks down what a startup community really is, and what it isn’t. He explores the four ingredients of real community (connection, trust, shared norms, and contribution), outlines the key players who make it thrive, and explains why founders can't do it alone.

Whether you’re a mentor, investor, or someone just showing up to your first meetup, this episode offers a blueprint for turning your city into a place where startups don’t just start, they grow, connect, and belong.

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In the previous episode we tackled more of the concepts behind effective startup community measurement.

In this episode we discuss some groundbreaking work done by our guest and the insights gained by their measurement techniques that you too can adopt in your community’s journey.

Join Brad, Ian and Chris as we have a very interesting discussion with Rhett Morris of Common Good Labs and formerly of Endeavor Insights as we first talk about measurement concepts.

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