CO.STARTERS®

National Small Business Week
2020-09-22 - 2020-09-24
Recovery, Adaptation, and Innovation virtual conference September 22-24, 2020

Straight Talk
2020-09-23 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Join CO.STARTERS for our monthly Straight Talk roundtable, a time for entrepreneurs and their supporters to come together as peers to find support and solutions for moving forward.
Register

Refocus Workshop (Nationwide)
2020-09-24 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Feeling stuck as an entrepreneur? Find a new way forward for your small business in this two-hour interactive workshop.
Register

2020 USHCC National Conference
2020-09-27 08:00 - 2020-09-29 17:00 | Virtual
The 2020 USHCC National Conference is the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in America. Each year, we bring together local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Hispanic business leaders, and corporate partners, to foster Hispanic economic development for the greater American economy. This year’s conference will take place virtually between September 27 and September 29, 2020.

Tom Tom Cities Rising Summit
2020-09-28 - 2020-10-02
The 2020 Tom Tom Summit is going virtual to bring you together safely and connect you even more directly with your peers. Every week throughout the Summit season, September 15 through October 30, we’ll present thematic conference sprints featuring flash talks, audience breakouts, and conversations with leaders from across the country. We’ll cap things off in the evening with virtual mixers and marquee speakers.

Sept 28 – Oct 2 | Too Small to Fail:
Our collective quest to save small business and our cities’ vitality.
What would we do without Mom and Pop? Join us for an exploration into how we can come together to build and uplift our small business communities—especially for those who haven’t always had a seat at the table.

Rebuild Program | September Cohort (Nationwide)
2020-09-28 14:00 - 16:30 | Virtual
As small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the CO.STARTERS Rebuild program provides entrepreneurs with a practical pathway and trusted tools to approach the market in new way, one step at a time.
This cross-community cohort is open to applicants from any region. Applications close September 21.
Apply Now

ESHIP Summit
2020-09-29 | Virtual, United States
The ESHIP Summit is a convening that brings together entrepreneurial ecosystem builders — leaders connecting communities to accelerate entrepreneurship.
Join us September 15, 16 and 29 for the (virtual) 2020 ESHIP Summit as we rally for entrepreneurs by exploring entrepreneurial ecosystem building as a key part of community recovery and reinvention in a post-COVID-19 world.

Rebuild Program | Osceola Area Chamber and Main Street
2020-09-29 19:00 | Virtual
As small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the CO.STARTERS Rebuild program provides entrepreneurs with a practical pathway and trusted tools to approach the market in new way, one step at a time.
Presented by Osceola Area Chamber and Main Street for business owners in Osceola, WI
Apply through Osceola Area Chamber and Main Street

Rebuilding Better: A Virtual Town Hall for America’s Small & New Business Owners
2020-09-30 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
CNBC + Acorns’ Invest in You: Ready. Set. Grow. and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation are teaming up to host a virtual town hall that will address the critical issues facing small businesses and share solutions that can rebuild our economy and level the playing field.
Small and new business owners will have direct access to a team of some of the country’s most knowledgeable entrepreneurs, small business advisors, financial experts and thought leaders. Select small business owners will have the opportunity to ask their most pressing questions about how they can best adapt their business and finances to the world around them.

Rebuild Program | Knoxville Entrepreneur Center
2020-10-05 17:30 | Virtual
As small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the CO.STARTERS Rebuild program provides entrepreneurs with a practical pathway and trusted tools to approach the market in new way, one step at a time.
Presented by Knoxville Entrepreneur Center for business owners in Knoxville, TN.
Apply through KEC

Rebuild Program | SODA Inc.
2020-10-05 18:30 | Virtual
As small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the CO.STARTERS Rebuild program provides entrepreneurs with a practical pathway and trusted tools to approach the market in new way, one step at a time.
Presented by SODA Inc. for business owners in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Apply through SODA Inc.

Rebuild Program | Summit Biz
2020-10-08 19:30 | Virtual
As small businesses navigate the COVID-19 crisis, the CO.STARTERS Rebuild program provides entrepreneurs with a practical pathway and trusted tools to approach the market in new way, one step at a time.
Presented by Summit Prosperity Initiative and Summit Chamber of Commerce for business owners in Summit County, CO.
Apply through Summit Prosperity Initiative

NACCE Annual Conference
2020-10-11 16:30 - 2020-10-14 11:00 | Nashville, TN
NACCE’s Annual Conference brings entrepreneurship thought leaders and practitioners together to share best practices and new areas of exploration in ecosystem building. Because NACCE is considered one of the foremost conveners of leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship, the conference attracts a rich array of educators, administrators, business and ecosystem leaders, and entrepreneurs from throughout North America.
Register

Change Catalyst Tech Inclusion
2020-10-13 08:00 - 2020-10-15 17:00 | Virtual
Tech Inclusion was founded in direct response to the tech industry’s shocking lack of diversity and its complicity in perpetuating inequity across products and processes. We’ve gathered leaders and influencers from all over the world and connected thousands of underrepresented candidates with opportunities, in a collective effort to disrupt this biased status quo and make tech a force for good.
The industry has come a long way since that first conference in 2015, but not far enough. That’s why it’s important for Tech Inclusion to once again be the place where leaders convene to focus on solutions to diversity and inclusion in tech, and also address the systemic problems that pervade the industry. This year we’ll be talking about how we can hold companies accountable, the impact that the products we build have on local and global communities, and how to ensure the message that Black lives matter rings loud and clear through hiring, retaining, promoting, and funding.
Register

IEDC Annual Conference
2020-10-13 08:00 - 2020-10-16 17:00 | Dallas, TX
IEDC’s Annual Conference is the largest yearly gathering of economic development professionals from across the country and around the world. The conference features distinguished keynote speakers, dozens of interactive sessions led by industry experts, networking events, and educational tours. The 2020 IEDC Annual Conference in Dallas, Texas will focus on building resilient and sustainable communities that thrive. In view of the accelerating changes impacting #EconDev in the years ahead, building local resilience across multiple dimensions will be increasingly more important in all areas: from technology, to the economy, to social culture.
Register

RuralRISE Action Session Webconference
2020-10-15 14:00 - 15:00 | zoom details below
Every month the RuralRISE community convenes via video call to share expertise, stories and network. Join monthly video conversations around successes and learnings from diverse communities across the country.
Zoom Details: Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16465588656,,4347467077# or +14086380968,,4347467077#
Or Telephone: Dial: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 434 746 7077

Startup Champions Network - Fall Virtual Summit
2020-10-20 - 2020-10-22 | Virtual
RECONNECT with old and new friends in entrepreneurial ecosystem building at SCN’s first virtual Summit. SCN members will swap ideas worth sharing, curate great conversations, and build relationships through active conversations. Come ready to learn and work together on the hot issues in ecosystem building.
Register

Leveraging Crowdfunding to Launch and Grow Your Biz
2020-10-20 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Whether you’ve got a side hustle, passion project, or an early-stage non-profit, B2B, B2C, or B2B2C [deep breath], you need startup capital to launch and grow it. In times of economic uncertainty, crowdfunding has proven to be a reliable and profitable funding option for entrepreneurs.
Join Olivia Owens, Creator & General Manager of IFundWomen of Color, the go-to funding resource for diverse, early-stage entrepreneurs, for an interactive workshop on leveraging crowdfunding for your business. You’ll walk away from this workshop with a honed pitch, a network map, a winning rewards strategy, and marketing strategy for your crowdfunding campaign.
Register

Planning Tips to Make Your E-Commerce Business Thrive During Peak Season
2020-10-22 13:00 - 14:00
E-commerce has escalated during the COVID-19 crisis. With this growth comes challenges for both shippers and buyers.
Join this session where Kym Kyker of FedEx will review some creative ideas of how to navigate through peak season and ways to improve the experience for merchants and consumers.
Register

E.Builders Forum
2020-10-27 - 2020-10-28
InBIA, in partnership with the ESHIP Communities program managed by Forward Cities, is excited to host the fourth e.Builders Forum in a fully virtual format. This unique event will highlight successful programs and strategies in two regions – Baltimore, MD, and the North Central region of New Mexico – so participants can gather tools and lessons learned to apply in their own entrepreneurial support and ecosystem building work.

Funding Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
2020-10-27 14:30 - 15:30 | Virtual
Entrepreneurship and small businesses are the cornerstones of a thriving economy, creating 1.6 million net new jobs in 2019 and consistently accounting for almost half of the private workforce. While their success lies in the support structures – the ecosystem – surrounding them, building an efficient and strong ecosystem requires not only partnerships, creativity, and commitment from stakeholders, but also hard cash. Join IEDC on this free webinar to learn how to work with a diverse set of funding sources — from the CARES act and public-private partnerships to family foundations and large philanthropic organizations — to build and grow an inclusive ecosystem in your region.
Register

Masterclass: Rooted in Purpose
2020-10-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Virtual
A done-with-you workshop to uncover what truly drives you and how you want to show up in the impact space
Register

RESTART 2020
2020-11-04 - 2020-11-06 | Virtual
RESTART 2020 with CO.STARTERS
Presidents matter, but so do starters, ecosystem builders, and economic developers. Election day is just a beginning.
Join us this election week (regardless of the outcome) for a special three-day series to learn how you can develop an entrepreneur support strategy that will rebuild, refresh, and restart your community.
Learn More + Register

Masterclass: Game plan 2021
2020-11-12 11:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
A done-with-you workshop to set you up for success ahead, rooted in your purpose and values
Register

Global Entrepreneurship Week
2020-11-16 - 2020-11-20 | Virtual
180 countries. 40,000 events. Removing barriers and welcoming all.
Tens of thousands of events, activities and competitions take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week each year. Find one near you.
RegisterJoin us during Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 19 for a special edition of the REFOCUS workshop! #GEW2020

Discover Fest
2020-11-17 - 2020-11-24 | Virtual
Learn and connect with leading creators in a global, free, online event.
Register

RuralRISE Action Session Webconference
2020-11-19 14:00 - 15:00 | zoom details below
Every month the RuralRISE community convenes via video call to share expertise, stories and network. Join monthly video conversations around successes and learnings from diverse communities across the country.
Zoom Details:
Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/4347467077
Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll): +16465588656,,4347467077# or +14086380968,,4347467077#
Or Telephone:
Dial: +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) or +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll)
Meeting ID: 434 746 7077

Refocus Workshop (GEW)
2020-11-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual
Join us during Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 19 for a special edition of the REFOCUS workshop! #GEW2020
Assess. Adapt. Act now to save your business.
This two–hour virtual workshop helps small business starters and owners find the focus and clarity needed to shift their mindset and learn how to meet theirsss customer’s changing needs. If you feel stuck, join us to identify your best next steps together.
In this workshop you will:

Determine immediate next steps needed to stabilize
Re-examine your venture using the CO.STARTERS Canvas
Strategize how to better solve your customers’ changing needs
Learn how to adapt or refine your business model
Find peer support during this time of isolation

Register Now
Buy Tickets on Eventbrite

Want to offer a Refocus Workshop for your community? Contact us to learn how to get the toolkit.

Winter Places: Creating Outdoor Spaces in Colder Months
2020-11-20 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual
COVID-19 has forced us to be creative in the ways we support our main streets and downtowns as commercial and social centers by moving many indoor activities outside. This has been a great lifeline during the spring and summer but… winter is coming! We’ll present some of the innovative ideas submitted as part of Bench Consulting’s Winter Places design competition for quickly implementable, low cost interventions to drive visitors back to Main Street and shop at area restaurants and businesses. We’ll also discuss how to build support within your community for implementation and share examples of successful winter activations from cities and towns around the world. Join us to discuss practical ways to implement outdoor winter activities to draw people to your downtown and help your business community.
Register

Rise of the Rest Virtual Tour: Equity Edition
2020-12-01 - 2020-12-03 | Virtual
A series of virtual events will be held from December 1st-3rd, 2020 featuring leaders in inclusive innovation discussing Entrepreneurship at HBCUs, Black ESOs and Allies, Building Inclusive Tech Ecosystems, and Investing in Black-Led Startups. The Main Event on December 3rd will feature a Fireside Chat, Entrepreneur Showcase, and the Pitch Competition Finals.
Register
