- 19
- Episodes
- 1
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2020
- First episode
About Make Startups: The Podcast
Make Startups: The Podcast brings you the raw, unfiltered stories of entrepreneurship. Dive deep into the journeys of founders, investors, and visionaries as they share the trials and triumphs of making startups. Where passion meets purpose, that's where you'll find us. Hosted by Eric Parker and Grace Belangia, the co-founders of Make Startups, this podcast offers unique perspectives and invaluable insights, directly from the minds shaping the future of business.
- Publisher
- Make Startups
- Category
- business
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 31 Aug 2020
- Latest episode
- 26 Mar 2026
Latest episodes
19 episodes in the feed.
26 Mar 2026
The Economics of Entrepreneurship, Recovery, and Community Health | Vahé Heboyan
What does entrepreneurship have to do with community health? In this episode of the Make Startups Podcast, Eric Parker talks with Dr. Vahe Heboyan, Professor of Health Economics at Augusta University, about the economic forces shaping entrepreneurship, recovery, workforce development, and long-term community health. Together, they explore why small business entrepreneurship matters, how economic well-being affects health outcomes, and why trade-based and microenterprise models may be one of the most practical ways to create opportunity in local communities. This conversation covers: • the basic economics behind entrepreneurship • why entrepreneur support organizations need to think differently about ROI • the connection between entrepreneurship and community health • social determinants of health and economic mobility • entrepreneurship as a pathway for people in recovery • why trade-based businesses and microenterprises deserve more attention • how local communities can invest in low-cost, high-impact entrepreneurial capacity building If you care about economic development, workforce development, entrepreneur support, or community health, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more conversations on entrepreneurship, ecosystems, and building stronger communities. Stay connected with us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/makestartups Website: https://makestartups.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makestartups
25 Feb 2026
She Refused the Job. Now She’s Trained 170,000 Women.
When Dr. Aanu Gopald graduated with a computer science degree, she had never touched a computer.At her final job interview, she was told she would need to trade her body to secure the role. She refused.Years later, that moment became the catalyst for Africa Agility.Today, Africa Agility has supported more than 170,000 young women across 52+ countries, training them in tech, mentoring founders, and building pathways into employment. Nearly all of it has been self-funded.In this conversation, we explore:• Why entrepreneurship in parts of Africa is about survival, not convenience• How constraint builds resilience in emerging startup ecosystems• What it takes to scale impact across 52 countries• Why small capital infusions can be transformational• And what ecosystem builders around the world can learn from Africa AgilityIf you care about startups, economic mobility, or building systems that expand dignity, this conversation will challenge your assumptions.Learn more about Africa Agility: https://africaagility.org/Connect with Dr. Aanu Gopald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanugopald/Curious how many entrepreneurs in your own community may be operating under economic constraint?We built a Poverty & Opportunity Calculator to help ecosystem builders understand how poverty intersects with entrepreneurship locally.Explore it here: https://www.makestartups.org/poverty-and-opportunitySubscribe for more conversations with ecosystem builders, founders, and leaders reshaping entrepreneurship globally.Stay connected with us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/makestartupsWebsite: https://makestartups.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makestartups#BeTheNode
28 Jan 2026
How Rural Startup Markets Can Compete
What happens when entrepreneur support gets local but forgets scale? In this week’s episode, Eric Parker talks with Moonshot CEO Scott Hathcock about why traditional incubator models break in small markets, how networked systems make local support survivable, and what “Five Seats” reveals about scaling founder support without losing community context. Subscribe for more talks, tools, and insights for ecosystem builders and ESOs. Stay connected with us! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/makestartups Website: https://makestartups.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makestartups
10 Dec 2025
Ideas Worth Championing: What Taylor Swift Can Teach Us About Ecosystem Building
In this Ideas Worth Championing talk, recorded live at the Startup Champions Network Fall Summit, Lexie Irvine, Ecosystem Builder at theClubhou.se, uses three Taylor Swift songs to explain the core work of ecosystem builders. Through “Opalite,” “Change,” and “Shake It Off,” Lexie explores: • why ecosystem building is about reflecting the light of others • how real change happens in systems piece by piece • why protecting your peace is essential to long-term impact • how imposter syndrome shows up early in your career • and how emerging voices strengthen entrepreneurship communities This talk is for anyone who supports founders, works in entrepreneurship or economic development, or is exploring ecosystem building as a career. It blends music, mindset, and lived experience into a practical framework for understanding the work. Follow for more talks, tools, and insights for ecosystem builders and entrepreneurial support organizations.
5 Feb 2025
Ecosystem Tour 2025 Season 2 Episode 1 - Denver/Boulder
During our recent tour of Denver and Boulder, we had the privilege of sitting down with Wendy Lea—one of America’s foremost leaders in building innovation communities. As Co-Founder & Chair of Energize Colorado, Co-Founder & Partner of TechHubNow!, a Board Member at Elevate Quantum, and a member of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship (NACIE), she is a driving force for collaboration and impact. In this conversation, we explore the similarities and differences between small business support and high-growth startup acceleration, the role of investment communities, the EDA Tech Hubs initiative, and the critical importance of fostering meaningful small-group interactions. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or ecosystem builder, this episode is packed with insights and real-world examples you won’t want to miss.
12 Dec 2024
Ecosystem Tour 24-11: Baltimore, MD Pt. 2
Make Startups co-founders Dwight and Paolo Gregory take us on an ecosystem tour of Baltimore's Bromo Arts District, highlighting community-driven problem-solving as key to sustainable business growth.
16 Oct 2024
Ecosystem Tour 24-09: Baltimore, MD
In this first of two episodes on Baltimore's ecosystem, we sit down with Paulo Gregory, founder of Cohado and ecosystem builder spearheading the Black Butterfly Network in Baltimore. We explore how he is transforming the city's entrepreneurial landscape by focusing on collaboration and community-building. Highlights: - Why collaboration, not competition, is the key to sustainable business growth. - The unique challenges faced by Black entrepreneurs in Baltimore and how they’re overcoming them. - How flexible funding models can support small businesses without crushing debt. Join us as we explore how Paulo’s approach is reshaping entrepreneurship and creating spaces where everyone can thrive. Let’s work together to build a more inclusive future for startups! Invite us to your city! We’re visiting 24 startup communities to share their stories and the lessons they offer for ecosystem builders across the nation. Let’s build thriving ecosystems together. SIGN UP HERE: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... Thank you for supporting our mission to empower entrepreneurs and transform startup ecosystems nationwide. ❤️ #entrepreneurship #ecosystembuilding #startupecosystem #communityempowerment #baltimore
11 Sept 2024
Ecosystem Tour 24-09: Mid-Atlantic
In this episode, we sit down with Mark Lawrence, managing partner of Incubate, to explore how he’s reshaping entrepreneurial ecosystems through community-driven economic empowerment. From building innovation hubs at local community colleges to creating spaces where minority entrepreneurs can thrive, Mark shares insights on how to foster broad-based entrepreneurship that impacts underserved communities. Highlights: Insights into the difference between entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. The role of real estate development in supporting entrepreneurs. How anchor institutions and local communities can collaborate to drive growth. Join us to learn how these strategies are making a real impact in places often overlooked by traditional economic development. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities, sharing their unique stories and the lessons they offer for ecosystem builders nationwide. Let’s shape a more inclusive future for entrepreneurship together. SIGN UP HERE: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... Thank you for supporting our mission to empower entrepreneurs and transform startup ecosystems across the country. ❤️ #entrepreneurship #ecosystembuilding #startupecosystem #communitydevelopment
17 Jul 2024
Ecosystem Tour 24-08: Washington D.C. Part 2: NSF
Discover the impact of the NSF Engines Program on regional growth! Grace and Eric had the privilege of sitting down with Thyaga Nandagopal, Division Director for the Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE) at the National Science Foundation, to talk about this new initiative that your organization should be considering. In this interview, we find out answers to all the big questions: - What is the state of the American Innovation Ecosystem? - What is the goal of the NSF Engines program? - What types of organizations should consider applying? - What is the NSF looking for in successful applications? - How is the NSF measuring success? (hint: the goal is unlocking over $1Bn in your region) - How can smaller regions be competitive? Don’t miss the chance to change the game for your region, and let us know how we can help. Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... #startups #startupecosystem #innovation #ESO #regionalinnovation
2 Jul 2024
Ecosystem Tour 24-07: Washington D.C. Part 1: SBA
Do you want to know how the Small Business Administration (SBA) is powering startups? In our latest stop in D.C., we spoke with Brittney Sickler, Director of Ecosystem Development at the SBA. Discover how everything from microloans to major federal funding is driving entrepreneurial success across the nation. Get the inside scoop on innovative funding models and the passionate people behind them. Be sure to like and subscribe so you can follow our journey across America! Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... If you’d like us to help you Make Startups in your community, visit our website at MakeStartups.org
13 Jun 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 06: Shenandoah Valley, VA
Can rural startup communities thrive? That’s the question we seek to answer in this episode tour of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Learn about the struggles and successes of entrepreneurs in small towns and find out how the Shenandoah Valley is transforming itself through: Community-driven growth Innovative new funding models Focusing on startup founders as people vs commodities Be sure to subscribe so you can follow our journey across America. Would you like us to add your city to the tour? Sign up here and tell us your story: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... (https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...) If you’d like us to help you Make Startups in your community, visit our website at MakeStartups.org (http://makestartups.org)
14 May 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 05: Birmingham, AL
What does it take to build a supportive startup ecosystem? In this episode, we travel to Birmingham, Alabama, to uncover its evolving startup ecosystem. This episode dives into the city's entrepreneurial scene, featuring in-depth interviews with local leaders Naila Jackson and Tanesha Sims-Summers. Discover how Birmingham is tackling the challenges of funding access and systemic barriers while leveraging its rich history to foster a supportive environment for startups. Highlights: Engaging talks with the drivers of Birmingham’s economic growth. Insights into strategies boosting the local business landscape. Stories of resilience and community from the heart of the Magic City. Join us to see how Birmingham’s entrepreneurs are actively shaping a more inclusive and robust ecosystem. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... (https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma...) THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform entrepreneur support, ecosystem building, and access to capital across the country. ❤️
22 Apr 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 04: Fayette County, GA
Most of our tour stops are focused on learning about established startup ecosystems, ever wondered what it takes to launch one? In this episode we meet with Steve Justice, former Director of the Georgia Centers of Innovation and Aerospace Engineer, who came out of retirement to launch, Launch Fayette. How will his experience in shaping statewide ecosystems translate to building a local startup community? We took a pre-launch tour and sat with Steve where he shared the opportunity that exists to build a unique ecosystem in Suburban Atlanta for founders and investors of all ages. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country. ❤️
20 Mar 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 03: Oakland, CA
Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startup) ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma.. (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbEJEU2xqR012TUoySEo3UURpUF9Da2M2SFNzQXxBQ3Jtc0tuXzVKeHlpc1gyTnc5cTM3TnIwX014R0FIOWJtYlVEd291bl8wNllLOUFJeVl2ZkREd1hkdkZMak83UUdQeHpkc2loMU42NXFBdC01SlR3Z0dSMWhHODV5dUc1NlY3eTdaSnhHZkViWmprZ0FYeWc1VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcofounderos.com%2Fapply%2FAxrl%2FMa..&v=hrm9r9zgISk). THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneursupport), #ecosystembuilding (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ecosystembuilding), and #access (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/access) to #capital (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/capital) across the country. ❤️
6 Mar 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 02: Sacramento, CA
Our latest stop on the Ecosystem Tour took us to Sacramento, CA, where we learned about a startup community in transformation. The city is transitioning from a government-centric economy to one that thrives on innovation, particularly in health, agriculture, and clean technology sectors. Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startup) ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma.. (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbm1UM0s4UWphSWxQR2diT3pKNGtOdENNd0R1UXxBQ3Jtc0tsY3hJSk51VnlQT1pZRy1XaDBOUFJ5X1ZJTk9oLUtPa2pRMjNIdWF1U2xkRFpyaUdJdDRPX1FlWDBacFA3Y3RPMnRGT0RZOEQ0YW95c0x6Z3NEU2RCRXJsaHNIM2Q1WE9MNnpOd1g3UXlXTEtTS1ZrYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcofounderos.com%2Fapply%2FAxrl%2FMa..&v=MunGId11FP4). THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/entrepreneursupport), #ecosystembuilding (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/ecosystembuilding), and #access (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/access) to #capital (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/capital) across the country. ❤️
7 Feb 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 Season 1 - Episode 01: Reno, NV
Our first stop on the Make Startups Ecosystem Tour is Reno, NV. For this episode we interviewed Doug Erwin, Senior Vice President at EDAWN (Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada). Afterwards we visited the University of Nevada, Reno Innevation Center to participate in a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from across the community and the Nevada Office of Entrepreneurship. What do we talk about in this episode? Watch on and learn about: • How Reno grew venture capital investments from $20m to over $1bn annually • The role of culture in startup community building • Evolving your role from ‘Operator’ to ‘Catalyst’ • The importance of aligning values early • Sourcing and engaging mentors • Leveraging Tesla and other industrial businesses to accelerate a startup ecosystem • Letting go of old programs and adapting over time Invite us to your city! Our goal is to visit 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup (https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/startup) ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Ma... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXhEdHhMQktWOE8xU09MNHh5WUFFY1JyVlBKQXxBQ3Jtc0ttdHhrTy1VcE9VUU1PYVJEOElrWFItclFyLWtjZ1V2UTFuZER6TjBmR3hORGtfazY2S2lPSk9Ed2szUUI4VVJjT04xcF9lSnctZHpENUhFS0NkUnNwem14RmhUMDBBWjVFaFRHTE94SGp3VTdSeEJVNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcofounderos.com%2Fapply%2FAxrl%2FMake_Startups&v=6oHcEg2O1lU)
1 Feb 2024
Ecosystem Tour 2024 - Tour Launch
This year, we are visiting 24 startup communities to meet with the people, organizations, and founders making a difference - fully immersing ourselves in their #startup ecosystem. From the tour, we'll share inspiring stories and important lessons to help ESO's nationally be more intentional and impactful. Before we hit our first city, we had a long drive across Northern California and through the Sierras. What better opportunity to talk about our own experiences and lessons from building startups? In this launch episode we talk about: - The challenges of startup communities - Building a capital stack to support your founders and your organization - What types of data matter - Startup ideology - Next stops - How you can invite us to your city SIGN UP TODAY - add your community to our destination list: https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Make_Startups (https://cofounderos.com/apply/Axrl/Make_Startups) THANK YOU for continually supporting our mission to transform #entrepreneursupport, #ecosystembuilding, and #access to #capital across the country.
3 Nov 2020
John Dearie, The Center for American Entrepreneurship
With each episode of Make Startups, we explore the stories of founders, investors, philanthropists, and policy makers. This episode features John Dearie, President at the Center for American Entrepreneurship and Co-Author of “Where the Jobs Are”. We learn about John’s evolution from working at the Federal Reserve, to CEO of the Financial Services Forum, to Founding the Center for American Entrepreneurship. We discuss the importance of startups in America, the role of government, and of capitalism itself. Find out more about the Center for American Entrepreneurship’s Policy Framework and support their critical work by joining Team 500 at StartupsUSA.org Produced by Augusta Podcasts Studio
31 Aug 2020
Entrepreneur Round Table w/ Congressman Allen
Welcome to Make Startups, where Host Eric Parker talks to real entrepreneurs and leaders from around the world. The topics: All about how to improve YOUR startup experience. This Episode Features a Roundtable with: Congressman Rick Allen - Representative Ga 12thGrace Belangia - Executive Director of TheClubhou.se Chris Crozier - Mobile Mentors Shirlonda Evans-Mclain - Peacing Life Together Eric Harrison - MoonriseLatasha N. Louis - Verbatim & LNL & Co.Jennifer Tinsley - FIELD Prelude Conversation: Eric Parker & David Bash (Augusta Podcasts, LLC) Eric started TheClubhou.se as a way to help Augusta, Georgia build a community of startups. Now, over 8 years later, Eric takes his Silicon Valley & Cyber City experiences to try to help people chart their own path to grow a business. Produced by Augusta Podcasts, LLC
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- 5.0 / 5
- 1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 15 / 100
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- YouTube
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- Engagement
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