Zagreb plus Istria: The Economic Development Plan for Croatia’s Future as a Global Hub of Innovation
Thursday, 09 January 2025
As I walked the streets of Zagreb, Croatia, not long ago, I couldn’t help but remark that I had a feeling that I was experiencing, Austin, TX, years ago. From my time in Michigan, Phoenix, Silicon Valley, and now Austin, my community knows well that the work I do is designing startup ecosystems; working with
- Published in Economic Development, Regional Development
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Regional Startup Ecosystems Must Embrace Distinction
Saturday, 04 January 2025
What we can learn from asking of South and Central America You’re failing. Let me cut to that chase. After more nearly two decades in Austin, Texas, and working with cities and regions throughout the world, what holds YOU and your economy back is that you won’t communicate clearly, distinguish your strengths, and acknowledge your
- Published in Economic Development, Regional Development
Silicon Valley’s Culture of Creative Destruction
Friday, 03 January 2025
Silicon Valley’s legendary status as the birthplace of innovation isn’t merely a product of geography or luck — it is rooted in a culture of creative destruction, a term popularized by Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter, author of Theory of Economic Development. Creative destruction is the process by which innovation disrupts existing industries, rendering outdated systems
- Published in Economic Development, Regional Development
From Socialist Roots to a Free-Market Startup Renaissance: Estonia
Friday, 03 January 2025
Estonia has long been hailed as the digital darling of Europe, a small Baltic nation that defied its post-Soviet limitations to emerge as a tech powerhouse. Yet, for all its acclaim, Estonia’s journey has been shaped by a tension between its socialist roots and a growing desire for economic liberalism. Today, with sweeping governmental reforms
- Published in Regional Development
Argentina Unleashed: How Reforms Under President Milei Spark Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Monday, 25 November 2024
Argentina’s history is one of extremes — a nation that has swung from prosperity to crisis and back again yet always demonstrated an uncanny ability to rebuild and reinvent itself. In the early 20th century, Argentina was among the top 10 wealthiest nations globally, thanks to its fertile agricultural sector, booming trade, and a forward-thinking,
- Published in Regional Development, Startup Ecosystems
Puerto Rico: The Crossroads of U.S. Access, Global Innovation, and Island Resilience for Startups
Saturday, 16 November 2024
Puerto Rico’s history is one of resilience, adaptation, and strategic importance. As a U.S. territory since 1898, Puerto Rico enjoys a unique position: it benefits from U.S. federal systems and protections while maintaining its cultural and legislative autonomy. This blend offers startups and entrepreneurs an unparalleled advantage — access to U.S. markets, legal frameworks, and
- Published in Regional Development
Croatia: A Historical Backbone of Resilience and Opportunity
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Croatia’s history is defined by resilience and adaptability, traits that naturally align with the entrepreneurial spirit. Originally part of the Roman Empire, Croatia grew through centuries of influence by various empires and regimes—from the medieval Croatian Kingdom to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and later as part of Yugoslavia until its independence in 1991. This complex history
- Published in AI, Regional Development, Startups