{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Parallel Entrepreneur with Mark Cleveland","title":"Why Founders Don’t Succeed Alone | Dakota Simpson","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1319,"description":"In this episode of the Parallel Entrepreneur – Innovation Series, Mark Cleveland and Johnny Anderson sit down with Dakota Simpson, Chief Program Officer at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.Dakota is focused on a simple idea: founders don’t succeed in isolation. They succeed when the right systems, support, and structure are in place around them.At the NEC, he leads the strategy and execution behind accelerator programs and founder development, helping entrepreneurs access the resources, networks, and guidance needed to grow.But this conversation goes deeper.It’s about what actually drives founder success beyond the idea.They cover:• Why ecosystems matter more than individual effort• The role of structure in startup success• What founders actually need at different stages• Aligning programs, people, and outcomes• Building more inclusive pathways to growthShort, practical, and grounded in real experience.Links - https://www.boringcompany.com/- https://technologycouncil.com/- https://nashvillechamber.com/- https://ec.co/- https://williamsonchamber.com/About the GuestDakota Simpson is Chief Program Officer at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, where he leads startup accelerators and founder programming. With a background in government and nonprofit leadership, he focuses on building systems that improve access, strengthen execution, and help entrepreneurs grow with clarity and support.https://www.linkedin.com/in/dakota-simpson-566358306/About the HostsMark A. ClevelandManaging Director at Kensington Park Capital, entrepreneur, M&A advisor, and host of the Parallel Entrepreneur Networkhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/macleveland/Johnny AndersonNashville tech leader, GNTC board member, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center, and host of The Impodsters™https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnnyonbrand/Links & Resources👉 Learn more about the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Center (EIC):https://www.wcs.edu/secondary/entrepreneurship-innovation-center-eic👉...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/GFjjD1lfhpKjrRFvBYjircTm7KmxUyXiCMmVziPGajg/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zMTUw/ODg2ZjMyN2I5YjZj/ODFlMDU2MGI2ZTA4/Zjc2My5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}