Webinar | Measuring Rural America’s Entrepreneurial Spirit: Data, Ecosystems Insights, and Entrepreneur Stories
Rural entrepreneurs are creating jobs, strengthening local economies, building wealth that stays close to home, and shaping the future of their communities.
This webinar explores the new Rural Entrepreneurship Index, built in partnership with the Capital One Insights Center. This first-of-its-kind tool brings together key measures of entrepreneurial activity — from business creation and self-employment to innovation, investment, and job growth — to help rural leaders better understand where momentum is growing and where opportunity is ready to take hold.
When rural entrepreneurship becomes visible, it becomes investible.
What you’ll learn
In this conversation, we bring together data, ecosystem-building expertise, and a rural founder’s perspective to explore what is driving entrepreneurship across rural America.
You’ll hear:
A deep look at the Rural Entrepreneurship Index
Amanda Weinstein, CORI’s Director of Research, shares what the data reveals about rural entrepreneurship and how communities can use the Index to move from insight to action.
Inside Rural Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
Rhonda Ladig, CORI’s Director of Entrepreneurship, moderates a panel with rural ecosystem builders from our Rural Innovation Network:
- Eric Harry, Founding Director, Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center — Northwest Montana
- Rose Reza, Executive Director, Taos Hive — Taos, New Mexico
- Monica Bilak, Executive Director, Sprocket — Paducah, Kentucky
- Emily Wells, Community & Engagement Manager, Greenlight & GigEast — Wilson, North Carolina
Together, they discuss what it takes to support rural entrepreneurs, connect local assets, strengthen ecosystems, and build opportunity that lasts.
Fireside Chat with a Rural Entrepreneur
Jay Bockhaus, CORI’s Chief Investment Officer, sits down with Dusty Birge, CEO of Fast Forward in Kearney, Nebraska, to discuss what it takes to build and grow a company from rural America.
Who should watch
This webinar is for rural leaders, entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, economic developers, investors, philanthropies, policymakers, and anyone working to strengthen rural economies from the ground up.
Whether you are building an entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting founders, shaping investment strategy, or working to expand economic opportunity in rural communities, this conversation offers practical insight, real-world perspective, and a clearer view of what is possible.