Spotlight: Anika Horn – Championing the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building
Written by Tiffany Henry, ESHIP Alliance Co-Curator
In a rapidly evolving world of entrepreneurship, few voices ring as clearly or compassionately as Anika Horn’s. A tireless advocate for the often unseen and essential work of local ecosystem builders, she blends lived experience, global insights, and a deep commitment to community-driven growth. Through her acclaimed podcast, Ecosystems for Change, Anika informs, uplifts, and empowers practitioners across the growing field of entrepreneurial ecosystem building. With the launch of its newest season, she once again offers a platform for practitioners to share their stories, lessons, and visions for a more connected, resilient future.
We sat down with Anika to learn more about her journey, her mission, and what listeners can expect this season.
Your career has spanned entrepreneurship, impact investing, and ecosystem building. Can you share what first drew you to this space?
I arrived in the U.S. in 2015 and was working in traditional startup and small business support. It wasn’t long until I started to notice that new founders came to me with the same old problems. It felt like putting on bandages over and over again. The faster we applied one, the quicker another was needed. It dawned on me that while support programs are beneficial, we needed to work within the system itself to address the complex issues entrepreneurs were facing. That’s when Larkin Garbee introduced me to Startup Champions Network, which brought me into the fold of entrepreneurial ecosystem building.
What experiences—personal or professional—shaped your approach to supporting entrepreneurs?
I was born and raised in East Germany. Politics aside, growing up in a socialist country taught me that any community is better off when we look out for one another and help when we can. When our friends and neighbors thrive, we all thrive. Half of my childhood home was built with the help of other villagers who came after work and on weekends to lay tiles, pave the driveway, install windows, or put on a new roof. To this day, when the phone rings, all my dad says is, “No problem, when and where do you need me?” The idea of generosity and reciprocity is deeply ingrained in how I see the world and how I take action.
“What happens to one happens to us all.
We can starve together or feast together.
All flourishing is mutual.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass
When we raise kids, the old adage goes, “It takes a village.” That has also been my experience when it comes to supporting entrepreneurs. Rather than helping out one-on-one, I believe it takes an entire ecosystem to help the doers, dreamers, tinkerers, and makers flourish. Since moving to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 2022, I’ve adapted the phrase to #ItTakesAValley. I share more about my path to ecosystem building in the first episode of Ecosystems for Change.
Can you share the story behind your podcast? What gap were you hoping to fill in the entrepreneurship and ecosystem-building space?
In 2019 and 2020, Charlton Cunningham and Yuval Yarden produced The Keystone podcast, which was the first of its kind in our field. I was addicted to it. Sadly, the show ended due to lack of funding, and I felt there was still room for a podcast that reported from the frontlines of ecosystem building.
Before launching the podcast in 2022, I had already interviewed more than 120 ecosystem builders. I published their profiles on my website as part of the Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building campaign, which helped me develop a deeper understanding of what an ecosystem builder is, how they think, and what drives them.
After years of writing, I wanted to try a new format. As a kid, I dreamed of becoming a newscaster. While that never came to be, it turns out I love interviewing people on camera. I video-record every episode. I enjoy geeking out about ecosystem building with my peers in a public, accessible format. That way, we are co-authoring the next playbook in real time with practitioners doing the work every day.
What are some of the most powerful or surprising stories you’ve heard from guests?
One episode I revisit often is my conversation with Michelle Arevalo-Carpenter. Based in Quito, Ecuador, she built Impaqto, a full-service ecosystem support organization offering coworking, acceleration, community, and an impact investment fund. Since 2012, they’ve expanded into 17 countries in South America. It’s one of the most promising models of financial sustainability for ecosystem building I’ve seen. Michelle inspires me deeply.
Another standout is my episode with Madelynn Martiniere. She is a systems thinker and practitioner. We discussed participatory design, humanity-focused systems, and the role of technology in innovation ecosystems. We also bonded over our mutual love for Peter Block’s Community: The Structure of Belonging.
April Rinne’s episode is also a guiding light. She wrote about thriving amid ambiguity and change. One insight I return to often is:
“We love changes we can control... But it's the changes we can't control that throw us sideways... We live under this illusion that we have control when in fact, the best we can do is adapt.”
What’s been the most rewarding moment or piece of feedback you've received from your audience?
About a year ago, someone told me, “Anika helped me realize there were other people doing the same thing as me. I realized there was a name for this field. She helped me see that I wasn’t alone. I got more involved in the field as a result.”
That’s exactly how I felt the first time I learned about ecosystem building. It was at the inaugural Startup Champions Network Summit in 2014 at the Sandbox in Santa Barbara. Andy Stoll and Larkin Garbee introduced the concept, and suddenly everything we had been doing in Richmond made sense. I felt like I had found my people. That gave me confidence and momentum. Knowing the podcast did the same for someone else is incredibly rewarding.
How does the work of a local ecosystem builder directly impact the broader entrepreneurial field?
Local ecosystem builders are the unsung heroes of our field. They work every day to move the needle in their communities. They model the behaviors that create thriving ecosystems: generosity, openness, reciprocity, and a willingness to give before you get. This work is often exhausting and thankless. You wonder if anyone notices or cares.
That’s why it’s crucial for local builders to connect with peers and realize they are not alone. There is power in that community. We’re fostering that through the ESHIP Alliance and the ESHIP Commons.
While field building is important, we must not forget who is doing the real work: supporting entrepreneurs, organizing events, building coalitions, applying for funding, and having countless coffee meetings. That’s why I don’t feature thought leaders on my podcast. I want to highlight the hard, often unglamorous work of practitioners. They deserve a voice in the broader conversation.
How does storytelling and data collection differ between the local level and field level when advocating for resources and policy changes?
Local storytelling, supported by relevant data, is essential. It reflects the identity of a place and shows what’s possible. These stories, told intentionally, become part of a larger narrative about that community or region. They showcase culture, creativity, and the kind of support available to entrepreneurs.
At the field level, the narrative shifts. It’s about entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, innovation, and opportunity. While individual founder stories play a role, the messaging is broader. We use data and stories to advocate for more systemic support.
Personally, my heart is in the local stories. Right now, I’m documenting the stories of independent bookshops in my area because I care deeply about their survival. Talking to owners and browsing shelves gives me insight into what my community values.
Are there emerging trends in field-level ecosystem building that local ecosystem builders should be aware of?
I’ve been working with EcoMap on a series about the future of ecosystem building. A few insights stand out:
Sustainability is top of mind. Dr. Amy Beaird is educating the field about financial sustainability. Chris Heivly and I recently talked about the importance of planning for succession early.
Ecosystem mapping is evolving. It’s not just about listing resources. It’s about understanding who is involved, where the gaps are, and how to communicate progress to your community. Having something tangible—like a map or digital hub—helps bring people along and strengthens grant applications.
Technology and AI can improve efficiency, but relationships remain central. Ecosystem building is about trust, and trust only grows through human connection.
What advice would you give to local ecosystem builders who want to connect their work to larger field-level initiatives?
I’m a big fan of building knowledge together and in public. That’s why I’m excited about the ESHIP Commons as a virtual space where practitioners can learn, share, and collaborate. If you want to engage with the field, that’s a great place to start.
What can we look forward to with the new season of your podcast?
Season 7 dives into nine innovation ecosystems across the US. Past seasons focused on essential mindsets and skills, but this is my first time analyzing ecosystems themselves. These Regional Innovation Engines are addressing real systemic challenges like water scarcity, climate adaptation, and sustainable supply chains. I studied these topics while earning my master’s in sustainability, so it’s thrilling to witness how these regions are tackling them in practice. I love sharing that front row seat with listeners.
How can listeners best support your work and help expand the reach of your podcast?
The 50-plus guests on my show have shared some of their hardest-won lessons. If something resonates, challenges your thinking, or helps your work, please share the episode. A lot of effort goes into producing each season. I want this knowledge to reach as many builders as possible.
I’m also open to podcast partnerships to help offset production costs. If someone wants to get into the ear of hundreds of ecosystem builders, reach out.
About Anika Horn
Anika Horn is on a mission to help ecosystem builders do their work well, with impact, and without burning out. Through speaking, storytelling, and consulting, she supports individuals, organizations, and communities in strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems. She hosts Ecosystems for Change, a podcast giving practitioners a platform to share insights and help shape the emerging field of ecosystem building. She also curates Impact Curator, a fortnightly newsletter with tools, insights, and encouragement for more than 1,000 ecosystem builders around the world. Connect with Anika through her newsletter, LinkedIn, or the ESHIP Commons.
This post is licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 and may be shared or republished with attribution. Photos courtesy Anika Horn.
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About The Author
Tiffany Henry works with entrepreneurs, community leaders, and educators to foster collaboration and entrepreneurial development. She is the Executive Director of the ACC Capital Foundation, a 501c3 that empowers entrepreneurs and stimulates regional economic development among underserved communities.
About This Blog Series
This post is part of the ESHIP Alliance’s Voices from the Field series, featuring voices and perspectives from across the entrepreneurial ecosystem building field. We welcome contributions from practitioners, supporters, and advocates who want to share insights, experiences, and ideas that advance our work. If you’re interested in contributing a post or want to suggest a person to profile, please get in touch with us at hello@eship.org.