What Startup Champions Network does

Startup Champions Network (SCN) is a 501c3 nonprofit membership organization founded in 2014 that supports entrepreneurial ecosystem builders across the United States. Its mission is to provide builders of entrepreneurial ecosystems the connections, resources, and professional development needed to cultivate thriving and inclusive communities. SCN serves a horizontal segment of ecosystem builders including entrepreneurs, accelerator and coworking space leaders, mentors, government officials, economic developers, grassroots community leaders, university leaders, philanthropists, corporate leaders, and media—reaching over 150 members across 40 states as of 2023. Operations are run by a small staff (1-10 employees) based in Gig Harbor, WA, with governance provided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

SCN's core products are bi-annual in-person Summits hosted by local ecosystem builders in rotating cities (e.g., Bay Area 2024, Augusta 2025, Richmond 2026), Challenge Programs delivered as peer-led practice cohorts (Ecosystem Health, Ecosystem Culture Challenge via Cohado partnership, Map What Matters Challenge via EcoMap partnership, and Fluency Score Challenge), and a Membership Program providing access to the national network, best practices, ecosystem benchmarking metrics, and collaboration opportunities. SCN is not a technology company; it operates as a membership platform and event coordinator utilizing third-party tools and integrations. Its primary proprietary assets are the Cohado framework (licensed via partnership) and the InterCultural Unity (ICU) DEI programming identity.

The business model combines five revenue streams: annual membership dues (undisclosed pricing), summit ticket sales ($299 members/$399 non-members), challenge program fees ($4,000 members/$5,000 non-members), retained national sponsorship revenue (from organizations like the Kauffman Foundation), and a distributed summit host model in which local hosts retain 100% of local sponsorship while SCN retains national sponsorship and ticket revenue. SCN does not pursue venture funding and operates without a parent company.

Name

Startup Champions Network

Legal name

Startup Champions Network

Website

https://startupchampions.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Startup Champions Network is a 501c3 nonprofit membership organization founded in 2014 that serves entrepreneurial ecosystem builders across the United States, offering bi-annual summits, peer-led challenge programs, and a national network of 150+ members in 40 states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Support Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Ecosystem builder network
• Entrepreneurship community
• Startup support services
• Innovation ecosystem
• Peer learning cohorts

Headquarters

HQ city

Dallas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees for ecosystem builders to join the network and access benefits including connections, resources, professional development, and access to national startup network.
2. Summit Tickets: Revenue from bi-annual summit attendance fees. Member tickets are priced lower ($299) than non-member tickets ($399).
3. Program Fees: Fees for challenge programs and educational cohorts. Ecosystem Culture Challenge priced at $4,000 for members and $5,000 for non-members.
4. National Sponsorship: SCN retains national sponsorship revenue (from organizations with national presence). Ticket sales revenue also retained by SCN.
5. Local Host Fundraising: Summit hosts (local members) raise local sponsorship money and retain 100% of it. SCN provides $10,000 check at planning period start. Host costs typically range $15,000-$20,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Startup Champions Network is a national membership organization that provides entrepreneurial ecosystem builders with connections, resources, and professional development. Its core offerings include bi-annual summits that serve as live case studies of local ecosystems, challenge programs and peer-led practice cohorts on topics such as inclusion, wellness, storytelling, ecosystem metrics, and policy, and a national network of over 150 members across 40 states. The organization is structured as a 501c3 nonprofit funded through membership dues, summit ticket sales, program fees, and national sponsorships.

Product overview

Startup Champions Network (SCN) is a membership organization for entrepreneurial ecosystem builders, not a software product company. SCN offers a portfolio of services including twice-yearly Summits (in-person gatherings that serve as live case studies), Challenge Programs (peer-led practice cohorts focused on ecosystem building topics like health, culture, metrics, and inclusion), Membership access to national networks and resources, and Virtual learning opportunities. The core offering is the Summit program paired with Challenge programs like the Cohado Ecosystem Culture Challenge, which use the Cohado® framework developed by a member organization. These services work together to provide ecosystem builders with connections, professional development, and practical tools for cultivating inclusive entrepreneurial communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SCN Summits Twice-yearly in-person gatherings of ecosystem builders hosted in different U.S. cities that serve as live case studies of local innovation ecosystems, featuring peer-to-peer learning, storytelling, mentorship, structured programming (such as Ecosystem Builder 101, InterCultural Unity sessions, Roses & Thorns, and Dinner with Locals), and local ecosystem tours.
• Challenge Programs and Communities of Practice Peer-led practice cohorts that deliver deep learning on topics such as ecosystem health, culture, mapping, and fluency, including the Ecosystem Health Challenge, Map What Matters Challenge, Fluency Score Challenge, and Ecosystem Culture Challenge.
• SCN Membership Program Annual membership for ecosystem builders providing access to a national network of over 150 members across 40 states, including connections to national startup networks and resource organizations, best practices sharing, ecosystem metrics tools, and collaborative startup elevation opportunities.
• Cohado Ecosystem Culture Challenge 8-week cohort program for community stewards using the Cohado design framework to foster sustainable and reciprocal relationships characterized by respect and trust, including weekly 2-hour Zoom sessions, one hybrid session at the Bay Area Summit, ecosystem audit, Jumpstart Strategy development, one virtual coaching session, the Cohado Opus 1 set, and access to the Virtual Cohado multiplayer platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150 members in 40 states representing diverse ecosystem builder backgrounds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CohadocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Cohado is a social enterprise founded by Paulo Gregory Harris, who also serves as Chair of SCN's Intercultural Unity committee. SCN partners with Cohado to deliver the Ecosystem Culture Challenge program, using Cohado's design framework for ecosystem building. Cohado's Opus 1 set and virtual multiplayer platform are included in the program.
• Make StartupscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Make Startups, co-founded by SCN Board member Eric Parker, provides workforce development funded programs for ESOs nationwide and has helped introduce legislation for entrepreneur funding options. Lexie Irvine from Make Startups serves on the Augusta Summit Planning Team.
• Local First ArizonaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Phoenix Summit sponsor supporting the Arizona entrepreneurial ecosystem showcase at SCN's Fall 2023 Summit.
• City of Phoenix Community & Economic Development DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Phoenix Summit sponsor supporting entrepreneurship ecosystem development showcased at SCN's Fall 2023 Summit.
• City of Mesa Office of Economic DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Mesa OED sponsored the Phoenix Summit, supporting business builder initiatives and local ecosystem development.
• Arizona Association for Economic Development (AAED)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023AAED is a nonprofit, non-partisan membership organization with 500+ members representing rural, suburban and urban development interests in Arizona. SCN Phoenix Summit sponsor.
• Cities Work (Institute for Justice)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Phoenix Summit sponsor, an initiative at the Institute for Justice focused on cities and entrepreneurship policy.
• Lighthouse NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Lighthouse Network (formerly Lighthouse Labs), a nationally recognized accelerator founded by SCN founding member, is hosting the 2026 Fall Summit in Richmond. SCN Board member Debbie Irwin now serves as Executive Director of Lighthouse Network.
• EcoMapcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022EcoMap Technologies developed the 'Map What Matters' challenge program for SCN members. EcoMap has mapped dozens of ecosystems and created a process and paradigm for ecosystem mapping used in SCN programs. SCN members Kevin Carter and Sherrod Davis co-founded EcoMap Technologies.
• IoogominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Presenting sponsor for SCN Fort Worth Summit 2022.
• Right to StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRight to Start is a nationwide grassroots advocacy campaign fighting to expand entrepreneurial opportunity for all. Founded by Victor Hwang, it works on federal, state, and local policy. SCN members Victor Hwang and Catherine Read are involved with Right to Start. SCN hosted a Policy Summit in partnership with Right to Start.
• Forward CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerForward Cities collaborated with SCN on the first-ever Regional Ecosystem Builders Summit in 2022 (Triangle, NC). SCN member Fay Horwitt is President of Forward Cities and Vice Chair of SCN's Board. Forward Cities co-developed the PLACE Builders fellowship program with EcoMap Technologies.
• The Greater Des Moines PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit sponsor and key ecosystem partner supporting entrepreneurship, corporate, creative, and business communities in Des Moines.
• FoundationsEDCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit sponsor for the 2026 Richmond Summit.
• InncuvateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit sponsor for the 2026 Richmond Summit. Founded by SCN Board Chair Mark Lawrence as a full-stack entrepreneurship-led economic development enterprise.
• VCU daVinci CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit sponsor for the 2026 Richmond Summit.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Startup Junkie: Startup Junkie is an entrepreneur support organization that runs ecosystem-building programs and podcast content with a similar horizontal, member-driven approach to SCN, focused on a specific U.S. region.
• Heartland Forward: Heartland Forward is a research and policy organization focused on economic competitiveness in the middle of America, overlapping with SCN's mission of elevating entrepreneurship beyond coastal hubs.
• Forward Cities: Forward Cities collaborates directly with SCN on regional ecosystem builder summits and the PLACE Builders fellowship; its president, Fay Horwitt, also serves as SCN Vice Chair. It is the closest direct peer in U.S. regional ecosystem building.
• National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE): NACCE is a membership association for community college entrepreneurship educators and program leaders. It parallels SCN's membership model and target audience of ecosystem-building practitioners in higher education and communities.
• Right to Start: Right to Start is a national grassroots advocacy campaign for entrepreneurship co-founded by Victor Hwang, who has worked with SCN on a Policy Summit. It shares SCN's national membership-and-policy thesis and competes for similar sponsor attention.
• EcoMap Technologies: EcoMap built the 'Map What Matters' challenge program for SCN and is co-founded by SCN members. It is a direct peer in the ecosystem mapping and benchmarking layer of ecosystem building.

Broad incumbents

• Kauffman Foundation: The Kauffman Foundation is the most established U.S. philanthropy supporting entrepreneurship ($2B endowment) and a presenting SCN sponsor. It is a broader incumbent that funds many of the same ecosystem-building efforts SCN serves.
• Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (Entrepreneurship): Beyond Kauffman as a sponsor, its Entrepreneurship team funds ecosystem-building research and convenings that overlap directly with SCN's mission of supporting ecosystem builders nationally.
• America's SBDC: America's SBDC network is the largest federally funded small business support system in the U.S. and overlaps with SCN's entrepreneur-support mission across all 50 states.

Emerging players

• 1776 (legacy): 1776 was a global startup incubator and ecosystem-builder network. Its legacy community and content remain a comparison point for membership-driven ecosystem builder networks, even though it is no longer operating at scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StartupChamps

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Startup Champions Network