Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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What does it take to actually build an ecosystem where founders thrive, not just survive? At the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center’s Milestone Summit in Seattle, city and corporate leaders talked about the three things that have to converge for a region to work for entrepreneurs: policy that removes barriers, capital genuinely invested in innovation, and community strong enough to catch people when the road gets lonely. The conversation also turned personal, from building a business plan before touching AI, to what it means to stay authentic through a pivot, to why "community is still capital."

Beto Yarce
Director of the Seattle Office of Economic Development

Jailan Griffiths
Vice President and Global Head of Purpose, Nasdaq

Ambika Singh
Founder & CEO, Armoire

Melissa Rick
Partner, Wilson Sonsini

Brian Westbrook
Host, GeekWire Studios

Learn more at nasdaqcenter.org