Building startup ecosystems, one entrepreneur at a time.
Where communities connect + founders flourish.
Startup Huddle builds local startup communities while crowd-sourcing advice and support, one entrepreneur at a time. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, chapters composed of community and entrepreneurship ecosystem leaders gather regularly at the same time and place to listen to and help startups form and scale.
In addition to providing direct support to entrepreneurs, the program addresses a critical element of success for all ecosystems – connectivity. GEN-backed research shows that startup communities with greater levels of local connectedness translate to an increased number of startups – and that founders with high levels of connectivity grow their revenue twice as fast as those with lower levels.
Held regularly on the same day and at the same time, Startup Huddle increases connectivity by convening the community to see each other while listening to and supporting local founders who give six-minute presentations outlining challenges faced by their company. Each presentation is followed by a 20-minute conversation offering constructive criticism focused on finding solutions and increasing founder know-how. With new founders cycling through each gathering, and previous presenters joining the audience to give back, the community continues to expand while connections deepen.
Currently, there are chapters in more than 60 cities around the world that support over 1,000 founders annually. Each chapter is organized by a local community builder and supported by local partners. GEN connects organizers through a virtual platform to share best practices, identify rising stars and create global linkages between ecosystems.
Startup Huddle is made possible through a combination of national licensees who manage the program in their country, a network of volunteer local organizers and corporate partners.
The Global Entrepreneurship Network operates programs, like Startup Huddle, that make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a company. By fostering deeper cross-border collaboration between founders, investors, policymakers, ecosystem builders and others, GEN fuels healthier and more efficient local and national entrepreneurship ecosystems. Network members collaborate to democratize opportunity, drive economic mobility, create new jobs and grow economies while developing the conditions for entrepreneurs to solve the world’s toughest challenges.