2027 Spring SCN Ecosystem Builder Summit
April 14-16, 2027 | Louisville, Kentucky
Theme
Ecosystem Building Distilled
Travel & Accommodations
Airport: Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) – ~10–15 minutes from downtown.
Rides & Rooms: We’re working with local hotels to secure a room block and will update this page soon with more information. We'll also provide a shared carpool and room-sharing spreadsheet upon registration.
Startup Champions Network (SCN) Summits
SCN Summits are unique in that we focus on the people and culture part of ecosystem building. Our agenda focuses on peer to peer learning with seasoned ecosystem builders focused on storytelling, sharing experiences, and mentoring.
Summits are a partnership with the member host with a lens on their community to showcase what the work looks like, celebrate its wins, and discuss the challenges. Unlike traditional conferences and events where the location is chosen based on tourism hype and destination, our Summit locations are chosen based on local ecosystem stakeholder engagement and dedication to the culture of SCN.
These 2-3 day intimate gatherings bring together the nation's top ecosystem builders and national ecosystem support organizations to convene conversations, gain insight from real-world case studies, and explore and experience new communities. Summits address topics most relevant to and of interest to members, such as inclusive entrepreneurship, fostering collaboration, engaging and empowering under-represented populations, and more.
We get out of the building. Explore the ecosystem, meet entrepreneurs, and see the work firsthand.
Vulnerable practice over performative success. We make space for real talk — failures, systemic challenges, and lessons learned.
Engaging, collaborative sessions. Unconferences, lightning talks, and collective problem-solving — not passive listening.
Equity, inclusion, and belonging. We build ecosystems where no one is left out, choosing belonging over performative inclusion.
We dig deep. Experiences designed to build real relationships and spark meaningful conversations.
Pitch-free content. This is a space for sharing best practices, learning, and connecting — not self-promotion.
SCN Host Member
Austin Lopesilvero
Austin Lopesilvero is a founder and grassroots ecosystem builder who has spent his career supporting entrepreneurs. He has helped lead, organized, and facilitated more than thirty Startup Weekend events, and has supported founders across multiple startup ecosystems, including Louisville, Kentucky, and the Triangle region of North Carolina. His background includes organizing programs like Startup Grind, Founder Beers, and Startup Week, as well as serving as a startup mentor with organizations such as Amplify, echo, and Love City. He also launched a social impact incubator to support entrepreneurs. Austin is a founder himself, going on five years leading Aspen Studios, a marketing agency that is now shifting toward helping companies grow with AI tools, agents, and strategy.
Tickets
*Please note that you must purchase each ticket individually, so we can properly collect all attendee data per ticket. Not a member and want to save on your summit ticket? Join here first.