Kauffman exec departs for leadership role at Startup Genome

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation’s vice president of research and policy is departing the organization for a San Francisco-based firm focused on startup ecosystem research.

Dane Stangler

A 12-year veteran at the Kansas City-based foundation, Dane Stangler is now the head of policy at Startup Genome, a company that researches ecosystems and advises policymakers to increase the success rate of startups and accelerate economic growth.

Starting with Kauffman in 2004 as a senior analyst, Stangler worked up the ranks at the Kauffman Foundation and in 2014 was named vice president of research and policy. In addition to representing the foundation at conferences around the U.S., he’s published in such publications as the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post.

At Startup Genome, Stangler will work on the firm’s “Lifecycle Model,” which aims to help entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world.

“I am absolutely thrilled to join Startup Genome’s global platform and help contribute to their mission of increasing startup success around the world, bringing more people and places into the startup revolution,” Stangler said in a release. “Too many places continue to take public and private actions that harm or drive away startups. Startups deserve better. We want to make sure that policy everywhere is the most conducive it can be to startups.”

Startup Genome’s mission is to empower cities around the world to “capture their fair share of the new economy by accelerating the economic growth of startup ecosystems through benchmarking, networking, and exposure.” The firm conducts research with more than 10,000 startups each year and aims to build consensus for action on key challenges.

Kauffman Foundation CEO Wendy Guillies said she’s excited about Stangler’s future.

“This is a natural fit for Dane, leveraging both his talent and dedication to helping entrepreneurs succeed,” Guillies said in a release. “We are proud of his accomplishments at the Foundation, and we look forward to seeing him bring his wealth of experience to help Startup Genome strengthen ecosystems around the world.”