Fostering an Industry-Specific Ecosystem

Many ESOs adopt industry-specific strategies to accelerate economic growth, attract investment, and build sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. This session will showcase four distinct models where ESOs have successfully focused on specific industries—biotech, the blue economy, outdoor recreation, and trade/artisan entrepreneurship—to drive innovation, job creation, and economic resilience.

Featured Industry Ecosystem Strategies:

• Biotech in Arizona – Learn how Arizona has intentionally developed a thriving bioscience sector through public-private partnerships, university collaboration, and targeted support from organizations like AZ BIO, BIOSA, the Flinn Foundation, and UACI.
• Blue Economy in Florida – Discover how Tampa Bay Wave and St. Petersburg Innovation District are fostering ocean-based startups through NOAA-funded initiatives, leveraging cross-sector partnerships to address climate resilience and marine innovation.
• Outdoor Economy in Pennsylvania – Explore how investments in trails, parks, and waterways are fueling entrepreneurship and transforming economic development strategies in Pennsylvania’s growing outdoor recreation sector.
• Trade & Artisan Entrepreneurs in Africa – Understand the role of artisan entrepreneurs (plumbers, welders, electricians, auto mechanics) in driving economic resilience in Africa, and how ecosystem-driven support models are unlocking their potential.

Key takeaways

• Strategies for developing industry-focused entrepreneurial ecosystems
• How to leverage partnerships to strengthen emerging sectors
• Actionable insights from real-world case studies
• Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and funding

This session is ideal for economic developers, ESOs, policymakers, and investors looking to apply industry-specific strategies to ecosystem building. Whatever your industry focus, you’ll leave with practical tools to strengthen entrepreneurship in your region.