Where conversations become clarity—and clarity becomes action.

Jumpstart Your Ecosystem

Connection. Clarity. Collective Action.

2026 WayBuilders Challenge

A national call for communities ready to build better.

In 2026, six communities will be selected for the WayBuilders National Tour — a place-based, five-day immersive experience designed to align, strengthen, and reimagine your local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

This is not a one-off event. It’s a recognition of your community’s leadership — and an investment in its future. Through connection, strategy, storytelling, and shared vision, WayBuilders Week sparks the kind of long-term impact that ecosystems need to thrive.

While funding is not guranteed, communities selected as WayBuilders Challenge finalists will be supported by our team in preparing a small, place-based grant proposal with one of our philanthropic partners.

Five women standing in a line looking at and writing on notes on a glass wall in a conference room.

What happens during the week?

Each community will host a five-day experience that brings together entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, funders, educators, local government, and residents to:

  • Listen deeply to entrepreneurs and the local context

  • Map existing assets and gaps

  • Surface shared values and challenges

  • Align around opportunities for collaboration

  • Co-create next steps rooted in trust and accountability

Every session is interactive. Every voice matters. Every outcome is designed for action and sustainability. Past communities describe WayBuilders Week (formerly E3 Nation Tour) as a turning point — where hidden voices were heard, unlikely partners found common ground, and new visions for inclusive entrepreneurship began to take root.

National Expertise. Local Impact.

Selected communities will be guided by a curated team of national ecosystem-building experts — selected to match your local priorities, goals and/or sectors. We work with you to shape and customize our signature 5-day community experience so it speaks directly to your context, goals, and opportunities.

Sample Week Flow

  • Meet your local ecosystem with fresh eyes. We tour spaces, hear stories, talk to entrepreneurs and begin building shared context through listening and reflection.

  • What values define how your ecosystem works—and who it works for? Entrepreneurial support organizations surface what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs to shift to build trust and belonging.

  • Through facilitated sessions, ecosystem leaders. community partners and funders align around shared priorities, roles, and next steps—while exploring opportunities to track what matters and move toward with common goals.

  • A evening of storytelling, visibility, and connection. The broader community is invited to gather, celebrate local entrepreneurs and champions - and cast a collective vision for the future.

  • The week closes with a focused morning session for a smaller group of committed local leaders and funders. Together, they begin shaping a plan to sustain the work and carry it forward—grounded in clarity, collaboration, and accountability.

A group of diverse people having a discussion around a conference table in a meeting room with notes, water bottles, and drinks on the table.

Impact - in Their Own Words

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with short brown hair, wearing earrings and a necklace, against a plain background.

    “We were inspired with a vision of what is possible when the Douglas County community is able to effectively transform the way it views, resources and supports every entrepreneur.”

    Jill Joliiceur | Douglas County Economic Development

  • A smiling woman with glasses, dark hair, and a polka-dot shirt under a pink blazer in an indoor setting.

    What a week! I was pleasantly surprised at how many people were open to having these conversations and working together. I feel hopeful for the future.”

    Connie Fitzpatrick, | Food Systems Specialist, Douglas County

  • Man with glasses smiling, standing in front of a space-themed mural painted on a wall.

    "Great experience elevating economic opportunity for Sacramento. We're proud to be a sponsor—helping foster dialogue and strategic planning for our ecosystem.”

    Franklin Burris | Sacramento Municipal Utility District

  • Close-up of a smiling woman with dark hair, wearing earrings, and showing her teeth.

    “Our Stockton Blvd. businesses were in attendance and gained so much from the experience. Shout out to Fiesta Nutrition, Boot Town Western Wear, and Gyro Genie for participating.”

    Vincene Jones | Stockton Blvd Business Partnership

Secure a Spot for Your Community

We’re inviting local ecosystem organizations to express interest in hosting WayBuilders Week 2026 — a five-day, community-wide experience designed to align, strengthen, and reimagine your entrepreneurial ecosystem — with no hard costs to your organization.

Finalist communities will be matched with a funding opportunity through one of our philanthropic partners and will receive a customized grant template, budget, and coaching to submit their proposal.

Submit your interest by Nov 10, 2025 to be considered for the next national cohort. Finalists will be selected and notified by Dec 5, 2025.

Spring 2026 Eligibility

For this cohort opportunity, we are accepting applications from communities located in the following states:

  • Florida

  • Indiana

  • Kentucky

  • Ohio

  • North Carolina

  • Sourth Carolina

Submit Application
  • Man in a dark blue suit speaking at a roundtable discussion with a woman and another man in a conference room.
  • Two people, a man and a woman, are bumping fists in an office or conference room. The man is wearing a suit, and the woman is holding a drink with a straw and wearing a light-colored jacket. In the background, there are whiteboards with notes and a clock on the wall.
  • A woman standing at a podium speaking into a microphone, smiling, in a conference room with a sign that reads 'Care Red County'.
  • Man with a beard and turban, wearing a patterned shirt, sitting cross-legged with hands clasped during a meeting or conference.
  • Group of diverse people standing and sitting in a conference or workshop room, with some smiling and engaging with each other. There are tables with papers, notebooks, drinks, and personal items.
  • Two women with name tags conversing at a conference or meeting, seated at a table with papers, pens, a smartphone, and a plate of food, in a crowded room with other attendees in the background.
  • Two men sitting at a round table having a conversation, one is holding a fork and water bottle, and there are orange containers on the table.

A Better Way of Building.

This work is bigger than any one of us—and it starts with connection. Ready to build better with us?

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