ecosystem Archives - Startup Economist

Zagreb plus Istria: The Economic Development Plan for Croatia’s Future as a Global Hub of Innovation

Thursday, 09 January 2025 by Paul O'Brien

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

8 Comments

Why Most Countries Fail at Tech Startups (How to Fix That)

Friday, 20 December 2024 by Paul O'Brien

Wrapping up 2024 and on our way into a fresh start, whether you celebrate the holidays or ring in the new year, something most of us will experience in the next few weeks is a shift in the culture we typically experience. People are warmer, perhaps more social, and in the spirit of giving gifts

ecosystem europe finland funding government israel policy public policy singapore

Published in Economic Development

34 Comments

Puerto Rico: The Crossroads of U.S. Access, Global Innovation, and Island Resilience for Startups

Saturday, 16 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

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

advanced manufacturing biopharma ecosystem entrepreneurship fintech latin america puerto rico united states

Published in Regional Development

5 Comments

When Entrepreneurship is Bad for the Economy

Tuesday, 05 November 2024 by Paul O'Brien

Entrepreneurship has long been celebrated as the ultimate engine of economic growth, innovation, and job creation. But what if the fervor surrounding “being an entrepreneur” has gone too far? The glorification of entrepreneurship as an end in itself may actually be hurting our economy. As with most cultural phenomena, the truth is more nuanced than

economy ecosystem entrepreneurship mental health startups

Published in Economic Development, Startups

22 Comments

The 6 Considerations of the Economic Development of Startups

Thursday, 29 August 2024 by Paul O'Brien

In my work with cities throughout the world, guiding how to foster entrepreneurship, few realize or fully appreciate that the experiences of my life inform what works and what doesn’t, in a region of the world trying to help startups. Raised in Michigan, I spent years exposed to what it means to have a city

economic development ecosystem entrepreneurship innovation startups venture capital

Published in Economic Development, Featured, Insights / Research, Startup Ecosystems, Startups

16 Comments

The Creator Capital of the World

Monday, 11 September 2023 by Paul O'Brien

A significant shift is underway, explored by Kaya Yurieff with The Information, A Reckoning Arrives for Creator Economy Startups, “Two years ago, Dmitry Shapiro and Sean Thielen were so optimistic about the booming creator economy that they pivoted their startup to a new product: a simple tool called Koji that lets influencers more easily link to their online

austin comedy creative creator ecosystem entrepreneurship hub innovation startups texas

Published in Industry, Insights / Research, Regional Development, Startups

3 Comments

Developing Austin’s Startup Ecosystem

Tuesday, 28 February 2023 by Paul O'Brien

Regional culture, history, and infrastructure are the qualities of a region of the world that drives innovation, jobs, and economic development because technology is ultimately about people and their potential. A really a wonderful article about Austin in The New Yorker sparked a series of wonderful discussions of the past and present of the Austin