Pop the bubble: Why insular startup ecosystems kill growth

By Jonathan Joel Mentor | @jonathanjmentor 

In the world of startups, the “bubble” is a killer. You see it everywhere: Local startup ecosystems that are so wrapped up in their own world, they forget there’s a whole global market out there.

Sure, the focus is often on building local pride, but in reality, this approach is holding companies back from real success. It’s like trying to play in the big leagues with training wheels on—comfortable, but limited. And in the case of Dominican startups, it’s no different.

Many startup ecosystems, particularly in the Dominican Republic and across Latin America, cling to local thought leaders who may not have the experience or global reach to truly push the community forward.

The problem? These figures often lack the practical experience needed to scale businesses both locally and internationally. Instead, their focus is on prestige projects and surface-level recognition, something that may look great in the short term but fails to build a strong foundation for long-term growth.

Take the Dominican Republic, for example. StartupBlink’s Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024 indicates that the country’s startup scene saw an increase in 2024, jumping 11 spots from the previous year  indicating that there’s growing investor confidence in the region.

But let’s get real: For all the buzz, the ecosystem is still dominated by a handful of local leaders who prioritize their own influence over the actual growth of the startup community. These figures often get wrapped up in showmanship rather than tackling the actual work needed to scale businesses, like fostering genuine collaboration and bringing in the right international resources.

Look at global accelerator programs like Techstars. What makes them so successful isn’t just their network of top-tier mentors, it’s their model of collaboration. They don’t just focus on local players; they intentionally bring in global perspectives that challenge the status quo.

The result? Real, actionable insight and international opportunities. Compare that to insular ecosystems where local leaders fear losing influence, and you can see the difference. In these environments, collaboration with outside experts is often seen as a threat rather than a growth opportunity.

This fear of losing local influence is one of the biggest roadblocks to growth. It’s not about eliminating local leadership, but rather creating space for collaboration with global players. Yes, the local thought leaders matter, but so do the lessons and perspectives from those who’ve been in the trenches of scaling companies on a global stage.

If the DR and LATAM startup ecosystems can learn to collaborate with international experts, they’ll see far better results—not just more money, but smarter, more sustainable growth.

So, what can local startup leaders do to shift the dynamic? 

Start by embracing collaboration, not competition. Open up to international thought leadership, yes—but don’t forget to integrate your local talent and experience into the mix.

When local players stop seeing the outside world as a threat and start using international resources as a tool, that’s when true growth happens. Just look at cities like Tulsa, OK—by limiting opportunities to local talent, they’re stalling their ecosystem.

The same can easily happen here if we don’t evolve and get more inclusive in our thinking.

The bottom line is simple: Pop the bubble. Let go of the insular thinking that’s holding you back, and open up to the world. Collaboration, both local and global, is the key to building a startup ecosystem that’s built to scale.

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Jonathan Joel Mentor is the Founder & CEO of Successment | Revenue Growth Strategist | Expert in Startup Ecosystem Development | United Nations World Summit Award Nominee