Last week, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln released its State Entrepreneurship Index. Eric Thompson, an economics professor and director of the university’s Bureau of Business Research said,
"The annual index ranks states using the number of businesses that open and close, the average earnings of its entrepreneurs, the number of patents per capita, and other data..."
What surprised me after looking at the stats is how low my home state of Colorado was ranked. I've always thought that CO was a great place to start a business. With an international airport, a tech community stretching from Denver to Boulder, an approachable community of investors, and other factors; I was thinking we'd at least be in the top 20. Apparently my assumptions were not founded on real data. According to the report, CO has fallen from her former glory dropping 15 spots to number 33.
First on the report and holding the position for at least the last 3 years is NYC. Any guesses on who come in last? South Carolina. Guess I don't have a comment one way or another as I know nothing about the state's economic and entrepreneur climate.
Despite this poor ranking there are several noteworthy organizations making great strides in developing and producing entrepreneurs for Colorado. One of which is Boulder based TechStars. A quick glance at their website and one can see that this organization is proud of the work being done for CO based techies.
"TechStars provides seed funding from over 75 top venture capital firms and angel investors who are vested in the success of your startup, as well as intense mentorship from hundreds of the best entrepreneurs in the world."
TechStars also has operations in Boston, New York City, and Seattle. It should be noted that these three cities parent states hold the number 1,2, and 3 top spots according to the study. Coincidence? I think not.
The other organization happens to be have a global reach made up of members and charter organizations. TIE Rockies is the CO chapter of TIE.org.
"The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region. There are currently 13,000 members, including over 2,500 charter members in 57 chapters across 14 countries. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking, and education."
With the state of economic affairs in our country I believe that entrepreneurs play a tremendous role in revitalizing our economy. Entrepreneurs are innovative and the lifeblood of what makes our country great. They are problem solvers, job creators, community minded, and are keepers of the American Dream. For those of you folks who have the itch, are on the fence, are tired of corporate America, and want to be your own boss- TAKE THE PLUNGE! Our state and our country need more of you. There are organizations to support you. What are you waiting for?
When is NOW the right time?
Recommended books on entrepreneurism:
Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance
Making Ideas Happen
Colorado is at the global forefront of the new energy economy. Foreign delegates visit the National Renewable Energy Lab and Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory to see cutting edge energy development. Creating collaborative agreements develops relationships between Colorado organizations and foreign delegates. Brian Wilson with EECL develops energy solutions for engines, smart grids, smart businesses and biofuels. Through research to producing products EECL makes impacts on the environment for example developing pipeline technology. This technology’s impact is the equivalent to 120 million automobiles removed from the highway. The Envirofit program at EECL has produced 350,000 cook stoves which has improved the lives of two million people. Business and other organizations can partner with EECL and Envirofit by visiting www.envirofit.org.
