Notes from our CEO: Ecosystems are Ecosystems

OK, I admit it. I didn't go to a fancy college. I don't have an MBA, or even an engineering degree.

I went to a "hippy college." Yes, a peace and love, join a drum circle, ground yourself by going barefoot everywhere, skipping class to go to a protest was an excusable absence, and events were required to have vegan options. Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA (now Cal Poly Humboldt).

My degree? Bachelors of Science in Special Subjects focusing on Environmental Education and Natural Resources Interpretation.

a.k.a. a B.S. in Park Rangering and Rabble-Rousing.

So, yeah... not your typical tech founder/CEO background. However, highly useful if you are building tools to support startup ecosystems.

As it turns out, ecosystems are ecosystems. Whether trees and critters or entrepreneurs and support organizations.... they operate on the same principles. And the management of ecosystems for the greater good is roughly the same.

Wikipedia summary:

"Ecosystem management is an approach to natural resource management that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability and persistence of an ecosystem's function and services while meeting socioeconomic, political, and cultural needs." (http://bit.ly/463qoQq)

Kiksasa's version:

"Ecosystem management is an approach to ENTREPRENEURIAL COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT that aims to ensure the long-term sustainability and persistence of an ecosystem's function and services while meeting socioeconomic, political, and cultural needs."

Both depend on systems approaches, establishing interconnections, data monitoring, deliberate adaptation, maintaining integrity, diversity, and cooperation.

All of which have been built into Kiksasa's latest product to support the entrepreneurship community: the Kiksasa Ecosystem.

(I guess my mom was wrong about wanting me to go to B-school)


Keep your heads up!

Kelly
Co-founder and CEO
Kiksasa