A “What is an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem?” lunch and learn session was held at Lakeland College Vermilion’s Renewable Energy Learning Centre on May 17. The event was hosted by Community Futures Lloydminster and Region as well as the Lloydminster DreamForest. Speaker, Glenys Reeves, said that business planning has changed from a community perspective and discussed what you need to build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Attending an international business incubator conference in Seattle, Reeves learned ‘the rainforest concept’ and now avoids following the standard industrial revolution models. “Different and wild ideas can be the ones that really take off into an amazing business,” said Reeves. Reeves went on to discuss several points of policy, finance, culture, supports, human capital, and markets that can act as domains for an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Community Futures representative, Diane Harms envisions the Renewable Energy Learning Centre as a co-working space for entrepreneurs to come and seek support. “One of the neat things about this space is the nearby rough manufacturing and prototyping capabilities. The circuit board printer is really unlimited in terms of people’s imaginations. As people need more advanced models, we have contacts they can use and we look forward to more robust services in the fall,” said Harms. The free Lunch and Learn sessions will continue from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. at the Renewable Energy Learning Centre with “What is Your Value Proposition?” on May 24, and “What Funding options Might Work for Your Business?” on May 31. To register, you can call 780-875-5458.