Tools & Programs

The foundation supports entrepreneurship by focusing on second-stage entrepreneurs and the belief that they are vital to the United States economy. The foundation also believes entrepreneurs have the best opportunity to succeed if they learn from their peers and that they need to be recognized for the role they play in their communities and industries. To that end, it develops and delivers educational programs and information that help second-stage entrepreneurs grow and thrive and produces statewide awards programs designed to help communities appreciate and support the growth of these entrepreneurs.

  • Economic Gardening

    Economic gardening takes an entrepreneurial approach to regional prosperity. Often referred to as a “grow from within” strategy, it helps existing companies within a community grow larger. In contrast to traditional business assistance, economic gardening focuses on strategic growth challenges, such as developing new markets, refining business models and gaining access to competitive intelligence. Economic gardening specialists help CEOs identify which issues are hindering their growth and then leverage sophisticated tools to deliver insights and information that CEOs can apply immediately.

    Economic Gardening Info Sheet

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  • YourEconomy.org

    YourEconomy.org (YE) traces its roots back to 2006 when the foundation recognized a need for more in-depth, accessible data about economic activity — especially at the local level — to help economic developers, researchers and policymakers recognize trends and make better decisions.

    After months of talking with economic-growth professionals, going back and forth to the drawing board and writing enough lines of computer code to reach Mars (okay, maybe just the moon), we launched YE in 2007.

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  • Companies to Watch

    Companies to Watch (CTW) takes the usual awards program and sets it free. Start with every influential player in the business community — forward-thinking government agencies, dedicated private enterprises and their professionals, progressive not-for-profits and influential community leaders. Then canvas the entire state for companies that are quietly creating jobs, developing innovation and contributing to their communities. Put them through a proven application and selection process, and voila. Cue your goosebumps.

    Companies to Watch Info Sheet

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  • Roundtables

    Recognized nationwide as an expert on peer learning, we understand the value of interacting with and learning from colleagues who often face similar leadership and business problems. That’s why we developed and license the PeerSpectives Roundtable System, an innovative peer-to-peer learning tool using a proven format that focuses on sharing experiences instead of giving advice.

    PeerSpectives Intro Video Still

    PeerSpectives Roundtables Info Sheet

    Case study: Blue Streak Couriers

    Case study: Power Grid Engineering

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  • Retreats

    Combining its expertise in entrepreneurship and peer learning, the Edward Lowe Foundation hosts retreats for two key audiences: leaders of entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) and leaders of second-stage businesses. Curriculum varies depending on a group’s specific needs, but typically addresses the unique challenges of second stage and enables participants to sharpen leadership skills, think differently and make faster, better decisions.

    Leader Retreats Info Sheet

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  • Assets2Action

    Entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) have come under pressure to collaborate more to provide timely resources to entrepreneurs and reduce confusion caused by multiple organizations with similar missions. Assets2Action convenes regional ESO leaders to determine how their entrepreneurs are being served and to better leverage their resources. The goal is to address the duplication of services, assess the region’s assets and fill in gaps so ESOs can increase their impact — and strengthen their region’s entrepreneurial culture.  Together they identify specific projects and hold each other accountable to put those projects into action.

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