Ecosystem Champion Award Criteria

The Compass Award for Ecosystem Champion is given to an individual who has contributed most to driving positive, long-term and inclusive growth of their local ecosystem through front-line programs and educational efforts to advance innovation and support startups.

The following factors are considered in the selection of the award winner (in no particular order):

• Impact: Demonstrates impact implementing new programs, conducting innovative research, releasing data-driven recommendation or other tangible efforts
• Connectivity: Demonstrates efforts to increase the rate and frequency of connections made among ecosystem members.
• Accessibility: Demonstrates efforts to recruit and engage new audiences and increase access to ecosystem connections and resources –- including non-traditional audiences and under-represented communities who face persistent barriers (e.g. women, veterans, rural).
• Creativity: Finds innovative ways to keep community engaged and motivated.
• Mentorship: Active and consistent engagement with startups to build their entrepreneurial skills and capacity
• Resourcefulness: Finds resources and collaborators to connect with and support members of their ecosystem
• Advocacy: Spreads great ideas and elevates awareness about qualities unique to their ecosystem
• Brand: Demonstrates positive stewardship of the GEN brand 

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