#278 - Take Risks Every Day with Ryan Lilly

Ryan Lilly is an entrepreneurial ecosystem builder with over 14 years of experience in supporting, coaching, and growing tech startups and small businesses. He is currently the Global Ventures Program Manager at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he leads an international soft-landing incubator program that attracts and grows second-stage technology companies from around the world.

Ryan has launched and managed successful incubators, entrepreneurship initiatives, and ecosystem-building programs in Virginia, Illinois and Florida, in settings including university, city, chamber, and economic development organizations.

Ryan is a passionate speaker and author in the emerging field of entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and has shared his insights and best practices at over 50 local, state, and national conferences. He has written three books on the topic, including Ecosystem Hacking: How to Help Entrepreneurs & Grow Your Local Economy Faster Than Ever.

Ryan holds a B.S. in management with a concentration in entrepreneurship from Virginia Tech, and a certificate in serial innovation from the University of Illinois. He is also certified in business incubator management from iNBIA, credit analysis form IEDC, rural entrepreneurship from RUPRI, and is a certified Kauffman FastTrac Facilitator. Ryan's mission is to empower entrepreneurs to achieve their dreams and to contribute to the economic development of their communities.