Welcome to Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Appalachia.

An "entrepreneurial ecosystem" is a network of entrepreneurs and the service providers that support them. By creating a supportive environment for entrepreneurs, communities can spur local and regional economic development. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are important to Appalachia because they can help the region diversify its economy, create jobs, and increase the flow of capital, finance, goods, and services into communities.

This website is a resource for information on entrepreneurial ecosystems throughout Appalachia, which encompasses 420 counties across 13 states. It serves as a resource for data and programs related to entrepreneurship in Appalachia. Through this online platform, you will be able to gauge entrepreneurial performance in a given Appalachian county compared to its home state, the Appalachian counties within that state, the whole Appalachian region, and the United States.

Appalachia's Entrepreneurial Economy:
A Snapshot

173,611new companies 24,637high-growth firms
191,414stable small businesses 1,000entrepreneurial support organizations

Use the buttons below to learn more about the Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Appalachia.

Dynamism Dashboard
provides a snapshot of the entrepreneurial landscape in Appalachia
Resources Inventory
provides information on the entrepreneurial support providers serving each county in Appalachia

Project Research and Reports

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Appalachia is a collection of entrepreneurship research, case studies, and data from EntreWorks Consulting, the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship on behalf of the Appalachian Regional Commission. The goal of the project is to document entrepreneurship metrics and strengthen Appalachian communities' understanding of the entrepreneurial environment not only locally, but across the larger region. Learn more here.