New Name, Same Mission: A Commitment to Entrepreneurship Across America

Organizational Updates
Written By Andy Stoll

The Ecosystem Building Leadership Network (EBLN) is now the ESHIP Alliance, with a refined strategy to guide its next chapter.

By Andy Stoll, Founding Executive Director
Executive Director Update

Making entrepreneurship in America accessible to all—no matter who you are or where you’re from—has been at the heart of our collective work from the very beginning. Eight years later, this goal still drives us as we step into an exciting new chapter under a new name, the ESHIP Alliance.

Our path to the ESHIP Alliance began at the first ESHIP Summit in 2017, hosted by the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City. What started with 450 passionate practitioners and resource providers has grown into a national, cross-sector effort connecting thousands. Together, we’re advancing entrepreneurial ecosystem building as a core practice in economic and community development—an idea just taking root when we began.

Since then, we’ve made real progress: advancing entrepreneurial ecosystem building as a professional field and co-creating tools, resources, and shared knowledge to help communities empower the makers, doers, and dreamers driving local economies. That spirit of collaboration and commitment to change continues to drive our work today.

Over the past year, we worked to formally establish the Ecosystem Building Leadership Network (EBLN) as a new nonprofit, cross-sector platform for coordination and collaboration across our emerging professional field. At the same time, we began searching for a stronger, more aligned brand—one that would reflect our mission, honor our journey to date, and carry us into the future.

Working with the talented team at Orange Sparkle Ball—special thanks to Meaghan, Isabelle, and Hannah—and with guidance from many members of our growing community, we landed on a new name we believe does just that.

What’s In A Name: ESHIP Alliance

1. It’s simple, memorable, and mission-aligned.

“ESHIP” is short and familiar to many in our community, especially those involved since the ESHIP Summits. It connects directly to our shared aim: expanding entrepreneurial opportunities for all, making local, regional, and national economies more resilient, equitable, and vibrant.

2. It’s flexible and multidimensional.

The “E” in ESHIP can stand for entrepreneurship, ecosystems, economies, and equity, capturing the full scope of our work. The “ship” evokes movement, a journey, a shared direction—a vessel of many people traveling together toward a shared collective future.

3. It honors our history while looking ahead.

For many, ESHIP brings to mind the ESHIP Summits and the ESHIP Goals, which laid the foundation for much of our work today. The new name honors that legacy while inviting newcomers to help shape the next chapter and infuse it with new meaning.

4. “Alliance” reflects how we work together.

We are not a stand-alone organization—we are a decentralized, trust-based network of networks. Our alliance includes ecosystem building practitioners, resource providers, funders, and allies working both independently and interdependently to advance the field. “Alliance” captures this collaborative spirit and shared leadership.

How You Can Plug In

1. Explore Our New Website

Visit eship.org to learn more about the Alliance and our refined strategy in our newly ratified and adopted ESHIP Alliance Organizational Charter.

2. Join Us Virtually on June 13th to Learn More About Our New Brand

Be part of the virtual roll-out of our new brand and updated strategy at Converge—our newly renamed quarterly, network-wide virtual convenings (formerly EBLN Town Halls). Learn more…

3. Join Our Online Community: ESHIP Commons

Our upgraded online community for ecosystem building practitioners and resource providers is now open to all. It’s a space for connection, learning, and collaboration across the field. If you’re not already there, sign up for a free trial membership and help co-create our growing community platform. Learn more…

4. Join Us In-Person at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) June 2-5 in Indianapolis

We’ll unveil the new brand next week in Indianapolis on the main stage at GEC 2025—and co-host two in-person gatherings for ecosystem building practitioners, national resource providers and allies. We’re also co-producing a one-of-a-kind “art” installation in the GEN Village that you’re going to want to check out. Learn more…

5. Nominate Yourself for the ESHIP Alliance Leadership Council

Leadership Council elections are happening this summer—a great opportunity to step into a national leadership role and help shape the future of the field. Self-nominations are being accepted June 1–18. Elections will be held in July. Learn more…

6. Follow Us on LinkedIn

Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our field newsletter — for the latest news, opportunities, and resources from across the field. 

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

A special thank you to ESHIP Alliance Core Team, who co-led much of our rebranding and strategy refinement over the past year:

Much appreciation to ESHIP Alliance Leadership Council, who has guided this effort since their election in November 2023:

→ Meet the ESHIP Alliance Core Team and Leadership Council

Gratitude also to the co-chairs and Provisional Council members of the Ecosystem Building Leadership Project (EBLP), which facilitated a 300+ person community-led process to co-create the blueprint for the ESHIP Alliance:

And a huge thank you to the 300+ ecosystem building practitioners and resource providers who were part of the Ecosystem Building Leadership Project and the staff and contractors who supported them:

Onward, Together

Famed entrepreneur, venture capitalist and Rise of the Rest author Steve Case often quotes the African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” That spirit of collaboration has guided us from the start.

On behalf of the Core Team and Leadership Council, we’re deeply grateful to all who’ve walked this path with us over the past eight years—and excited to welcome those joining us now. The road ahead is ambitious, but together we can build a stronger, more inclusive entrepreneurial future. I hope you’ll be part of it.

Andy Stoll
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Spring 2025: What’s Coming Next?