EDP Core: Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development

This episode introduces Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development, or ELED, as a foundational mindset shift for modern economic developers. Instead of focusing only on business attraction, ELED emphasizes growing economic opportunity from within the community by strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems, mapping local assets, identifying pipeline gaps, and supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of growth.Key study themes include attraction versus generation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, ecosystem asset mapping, startup pipelines, capital access, technical assistance, founder networks, and the role of the economic developer as a connector, convener, and ecosystem builder.This episode was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence using official IEDC study materials and publications as source material. It is intended for independent study only and is not endorsed, sponsored, reviewed, or approved by the International Economic Development Council.