In this episode, Aaron sits down with Charlton Cunningham, an Atlanta-based ecosystem builder and current Ecosystem Navigator for the Continuum project, to explore the evolution of startup community building. Charlton shares their journey from architecture graduate to ecosystem leader, highlighting how trust, people-first programming, and authentic storytelling are reshaping how communities support founders.

Together, they unpack the undervalued work of relationship-building, the consequences of not putting founders first, and why ecosystem builders must balance quantitative metrics with qualitative stories to truly measure impact. Charlton also offers hard-won lessons on programming rooted in community listening and love of place.

Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of why ecosystems “move at the speed of trust,” how to build equitable and founder-first support structures, and what it takes to sustain entrepreneurship in emerging communities over the long term.

About the Speaker

Charlton Cunningham is an ecosystem builder based in Atlanta, GA. They currently serve as Ecosystem Navigator for the Continuum project, which supports ocean tech entrepreneurs, and have played pivotal roles at Startup Atlanta and HiveATL. Charlton is also an active voice in national ecosystem building networks, helping shape the profession’s future through organizations like the ESHIP Alliance.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/charltonc/

https://www.charltoncunningham.com/