1. No entrepreneurs prepared to lead the ecosystem. Entrepreneurs not connected to one another. Little or no network, or one that is inaccessible.

2. No iconic or serial entrepreneurs visible as leader. Some entrepreneurs interested in leading, but not well-connected or visible to other sectors or stages. Entrepreneurs and community not prepared to follow potential leaders. Network needs additional connectivity.

3. A few iconic, serial entrepreneurs who are visible and interested in leading and giving back. Potential leaders have some working relationships within the community. Developing network of support behind leadership.

4. A handful of iconic, serial entrepreneurs who are vocal and accessible. Leaders have strong connections and following within community and larger ecosystem.

5. Many iconic, serial entrepreneurs visible, vocal, accessible, leading and giving back regularly. Leaders have strong recognition, credibility, and respect from entrepreneurs and the entire community of large companies, government, industry groups, colleges, universities and capital. Everyone is in collaborative and supportive mode.

Not Sure

1. Little to no network of mentors, advisors and facilitators. Few to no incubators and accelerators in existence.

2. Small numbers of mentors and advisors, with varying degrees of expertise and value add. Some incubators, accelerators and mentoring programs exist but without visibility or measuring outcomes.

3. Growing number of mentors and advisors with varying degrees of expertise and value add but not within all stages, sectors or geography. Some number of incubators and accelerators with limited accessibility and efficacy.

4. Strong network of well-respected mentors and advisors giving back at most stages, sectors, demographics and geography. Many effective, visible, and well-integrated accelerators and incubators.

5. Significant numbers of well-respected and value-add mentors and advisors giving back across stages, sectors, demographics and geography. Large numbers of effective, visible, and well-integrated accelerators and incubators all helping startups at various stages and providing guidance and resources.

Not Sure

1. Entrepreneurs are isolated from each other and from support organizations.

2. Startups and entrepreneurs aren't particularly visible to one another, across sectors, demographics or geography. Some connectivity of community of investors, advisors, mentors, and other supporters but gaps in resources (e.g. few VCs or mentors), large gaps in demographics, sectors and geography.

3. Growing community of successful startups and entrepreneurs, but not across sectors, demographics or geography. Average connectivity of community of investors, advisors, mentors, and other supporters but gaps in resources (e.g. focus on one sector) with gaps in demographics, many sectors and geography.

4. Strong community of successful startups and serial entrepreneurs--most people know one another. Good community of investors, advisors, mentors, and other supporters but not in all sectors, demographics, and geography.

5. Dense, well-connected community of successful startups and serial entrepreneurs; everyone knows everyone, regardless of sector or stage, demographic or location. Robust, engaged connected and visible larger community of advisors, mentors, facilitators and professional services, all engaged and visible to one another. Inter-sector, cross-sector, cross-demographic and cross-cultural engagement and willingness to give back drives success.

Not Sure

1. Few policies, programs or legislation focus on young companies. Most entrepreneurs view policies and programs as either inaccessible or barriers to growth.

2. Limited policies or programs focused on young companies or otherwise designed to help startups. Many entrepreneurs feel they have to work around government bureaucracy or that programs and policies are confusing or too limited in scope to be useful.

3. Average government support for and understanding of significance of startups to economic growth. Some programs or policy initiatives in place or in development. Some entrepreneurs feel they have to work around some government bureaucracy.

4. Good government support for and understanding of significance of startups to economic growth. Some policy and legislative initiatives in place, and others in development. Many in the entrepreneurial community feel recognized and valued as the key driver of economic growth.

5. Broad and strong government (local/state) support for and understanding of significance of startups to economic growth. Supportive policy and laws in place or in process. Areas may include: economic development, tax, investment vehicles. Entrepreneurial community feels recognized and valued as the key driver of economic growth and views government as an important partner and resource.

Not Sure

1. Area is losing talent and cannot seem to retain young people. No universities or lack of their connection to community. No large companies with which to work. Startups always struggle to find talent and often fail or move as a result.

2. Limited talent pool. Universities and colleges provide limited access to talent. Large companies disengaged or few and far between. Startups usually struggle to find talent.

3. Average talent pool, with many gaps in areas of expertise and experience. Universities and colleges have uneven track record as a resource for talent for local startups. Large companies are not particularly engaged. Startups often struggle to find talent with appropriate experience, expertise, or interest in working in a startup environment.

4. Good talent pool with some gaps in areas of expertise and experience. Universities and colleges are good resources for startup talent and have good connections to community. Large companies are aware of and supportive of the community and provide some access to their talent.

5. Broad and deep talent pool for all levels of employees sought in all sectors and expertise. Universities and colleges are excellent resources for startup talent and are well-connected to community. Large companies are feeders and suppliers of more mature, experienced talent.

Not Sure

1. Few or no professional services in all areas. No visible mentors, advisors, or facilitators. Entrepreneurs are generally unable to find affordable, quality services, or office space and struggle with basic operating needs.

2. Limited professional services exist in all areas. Limited visible mentors, advisors, or facilitators. Special programs don't exist. Access to services and office space is always an issue.

3. Professional services exist but without direct focus on startups and entrepreneurs. Few act as advisors, mentors, facilitators. Special programs are few and far between. Access to services and office space often is an issue.

4. Professional services are integrated, accessible, and usually effective at helping startups. Some act as advisors, mentors, facilitators. Some special programs exist, but are sector-specific and not visible or accessible to all. How to access services and office space is sometimes an issue.

5. Professional services (legal, accounting, real estate, insurance, consulting) are integrated, accessible, and effective at helping startups. Many act as advisors, mentors, facilitators. Special programs exist specifically geared toward startups. Access to services is rarely an issue.

Not Sure

1. Few opportunities for engagement. Poor attendance and visibility. Significant changes needed to drive engagement in the startup community.

2. Some events, but infrequent and invisible to most or not well-attended. Little to no venues for informal connection and engagement.

3. Events exist for entrepreneurs and community to connect, but are primarily focused on one sector (e.g. tech). Visibility and attendance vary across demographics and geography. Some venues exist for informal meet-ups and connection.

4. Good numbers of events exist for entrepreneurs and community to connect, both informal and formal with high visibility, authenticity and participation. Numbers vary across stages, sectors, demographics, and geography. Good number of venues (accelerators, campuses, etc.) open to community to connect informally and regularly.

5. Large numbers of events exist for entrepreneurs and community to connect, both informal and formal with high visibility, authenticity and participation across stages, sectors, demographics, and geography. Significant number of venues (accelerators, campuses, etc.) open to community to connect informally and regularly. Events include: meet-ups, pitch days, conferences, summits, happy hours, startup weekends, boot camps, celebrations, and competitions.

Not Sure

1. Little to no productive relationship exists between corporations and entrepreneurs or no large companies within the region. No contact or interaction with the startup community.

2. Companies rarely buy good and services provided by startup firms. Very limited communication channels. Entrepreneurs generally feel that they do not have the support of established corporations in the area or have no idea how to access.

3. Companies do not act as primary markets for startup firms. Provide support for entrepreneurs, but improved collaboration is necessary to maximize growth. Somewhat accessible to entrepreneurs.

4. Big corporations are important customers for entrepreneurs. Willing to take on some risk by working with high growth firms. Accessible and useful communication channels.

5. Proven track record of working with startups. Specific departments and programs exist to encourage cooperation with high growth startups. Big businesses act as key customers for startup firms. Established and productive communication channels.

Not Sure

1. Close to non-existent. Gaps in all sectors and all levels. Quality, visibility and engagement low to non-existent.

2. Small community of capital, with large gaps in many sectors and at certain levels. Quality and understanding of investors varies widely, and limited visibility and communication regarding investment criteria and objectives.

3. Average community of capital, with gaps in sectors and at certain levels. Quality and understanding of investors vary somewhat.

4. Good community of various sources of capital and financing, with some gaps in sectors and levels.

5. Strong, dense and supportive community of VCs, Angels, Seed and other forms of financing available, visible and accessible across sectors, demographics and geography.

Not Sure