Welcome to the
Ecosystem
Information Center
Your one-stop-shop for information about every type of ecosystem
(except the green ones)
Ecosystems are networks of people, organizations, resources, relationships, and activity united by a shared geography, industry, demography, focus, or desired outcome
Ecosystems are everywhere, and understanding them is vital to transforming organizations, industries, and communities alike.
The Ecosystem Information Center is your one-stop shop for all things ecosystems. Whether you’re just learning what an ecosystem is or you’re a veteran ecosystem-builder, there’s something here for everyone.
Ecosystems 101
What are Ecosystems? Why do they matter?
Whether you’re new to the concept of ecosystems or you’re an ecosystem-building veteran, it can help to start with the fundamentals. This topic provides a high-level overview of all-things Ecosystems, including what they are, why they matter, where they appear, how we map them, and more.
Understanding EcosystemsEcosystem-Led Development
Are you responsible for creating systems-level change? Learn how you can leverage Ecosystems to create more effective, efficient, and equitable change initiatives in our Guide to Ecosystem-Led Development
Elements of Ecosystems
What are the building blocks of ecosystems? We break them down
Organizations, resources, people - oh my! Even though ecosystems are incredibly diverse and numerous, all of them share the same core structure: networks of assets with relationships between them.
This topic dives into the different components of ecosystems, including Primary Assets (People, Resources, Organizations), Secondary Assets (Events, News, Jobs) and the Relationships between them
Ecosystem Challenges
The ecosystem structure is incredibly resilient, but it's also prone to specific challenges. Let's tackle them.
In any ecosystem, there are three challenges that commonly arise: Silos, Misalignment, and difficulty sustaining Momentum. We break down why the ecosystem structure often leads to these challenges, and how they can be best addressed, regardless of the size or stage of the ecosystem
Ecosystem ChallengesTypes of Ecosystems
What defines an ecosystem? Where do they appear?
Our definition of ecosystem is “an ever-changing network of people, resources, organizations, & other assets united by a common characteristic, such as a geography, industry, demographic, or combination thereof”.
It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good for describing a structure that appears everywhere from personal networks, Main Street communities, the economy of a city, entire industries, and beyond. Learn about how ecosystems appear in the world through diving into the different Types of Ecosystems.