Startup ecosystem
Also called: entrepreneurial ecosystem
ELI5
The people and organisations around startups.
Used in conversation
“The ecosystem is strong in talent but weak in later-stage capital.”
Definition
The network of founders, investors, talent, institutions, customers and service providers supporting startups in a place or sector.
Here “Startup ecosystem” means: The network of founders, investors, talent, institutions, customers and service providers supporting startups in a place or sector.
Pitch context
You will see “Startup ecosystem” in fundraising decks, data rooms, term sheets and investor conversations when the discussion reaches founders & startup ecosystem.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret founders & startup ecosystem without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Sources & evidence · 5
Supporting source families. This entry is an editorial synthesis rather than a quotation from one canonical glossary.
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Small Business Capital Formation GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Exempt OfferingsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Venture Capital Association — Model Legal DocumentsSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Safe financing documentsSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16
- Y Combinator — Series A Term Sheet TemplateSupporting source family · practitioner · checked 2026-08-16