Winston-Salem, NC is North Carolina’s fifth-largest city. The City of Arts & Innovation, as it is sometimes known, is also home to a number of successful businesses outside of the tobacco industry, including Krispy Kreme, Hanesbrands, and BB&T.

The key is that they are engaging and actively seek to understand all potential alternative points of view in the decision-making process.

Tulsa, Oklahoma is rising in ranks as a hotbed for business and entrepreneurship in the United States. Find out what accelerators, makerspaces, investors are helping grow this ecosystem.

El Paso aka “The Crossing” is quickly becoming one of the country’s new urban centers. Situated right on the United States-Mexico border, the city is over 75% Latino heritage. The petroleum, mining and defense industries boost the city’s economy and startup ecosystem.

Nicknamed the “Cornhusker State,” Lincoln is Nebraska’s state capital and second most populous city. Here are the investors, accelerators, maker spaces and more that make its entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Home of the Kentucky Derby, Louisville is Kentucky’s largest city and a growing hub of entrepreneurship. It’s even ranked in the Top 15 Cities for women in tech!

Richmond may be the capital of Virginia, but it’s also growing in population and entrepreneurship activity. Find out what accelerators, investors, and makerspaces are found in Richmond’s diverse entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Madison is Wisconsin’s second-largest city with a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem. In 2016, it was named one of the nation’s best cities for young entrepreneurs.

The purpose of discussions with these constituents begins with validation but ultimately includes the potential of funding your startup.

One or two of every ten investments bring most of the returns to the portfolio of an angel investor, and it’s difficult to determine which of the companies will provide the returns.