In the fast-paced world of small business leadership and entrepreneurship, decision-making is an ever-present challenge. As visionary leaders of startups and small businesses navigate through countless choices, they often encounter decision fatigue – the mental exhaustion that arises from making numerous decisions over time. This phenomenon not only hampers subsequent choices but can also lead to burnout if not effectively managed. The consequences of decision fatigue can be far-reaching for small business leaders and entrepreneurs. Fatigued leaders may experience reduced focus, impaired problem-solving skills, and diminished creativity. This, in turn, can affect their ability to steer their teams and ventures effectively, leading to reduced productivity and growth. Prolonged exposure to decision fatigue can result in heightened stress levels, emotional exhaustion, and eventually burnout. Recognizing the signs of decision fatigue is crucial for small business leaders and entrepreneurs to take proactive steps to avoid reaching a state of burnout.
- Prioritize Decisions: In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, leaders often face a multitude of decisions daily. Trying to tackle all of them at once can be overwhelming and lead to decision fatigue. By prioritizing decisions based on their importance and urgency, leaders can focus their attention and mental energy on the most critical aspects of their business. This approach helps prevent decision paralysis and allows for more efficient problem-solving.
- Streamline Decision-Making Processes: Entrepreneurs can implement structured decision-making processes to make choices more systematically and with less effort. Using decision-making frameworks, checklists, or involving relevant team members can bring clarity to complex decisions, reduce the cognitive load, and lead to more informed choices. Moreover, standardizing decision-making can improve consistency and coherence in the business’s overall direction.
- Delegate Responsibility: As businesses grow, entrepreneurs must learn to delegate tasks and decisions to capable team members. Entrusting employees with responsibilities not only lightens the leader’s workload but also empowers the team to develop their skills and take ownership of their roles. This sense of ownership fosters a positive and motivated work culture, as team members feel valued and recognized for their contributions.
- Rest and Recharge: Taking regular breaks and prioritizing self-care is crucial for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Overworking and neglecting personal time can lead to burnout and decreased productivity. Engaging in activities like meditation, exercise, hobbies, or spending time with family and friends helps recharge cognitive resources and improves decision-making abilities.
- Embrace Technology and Automation: Advancements in technology offer numerous tools and solutions that can streamline routine tasks. Entrepreneurs should embrace automation wherever possible, such as using project management software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, or accounting software. By automating repetitive tasks, leaders can focus on strategic decision-making, innovation, and business growth.
- Set Clear Boundaries: The boundary between work and personal life can blur, especially for small business owners who may feel the need to be constantly available. However, it’s essential to establish clear boundaries to avoid burnout. Setting specific working hours, designating dedicated personal time, and learning to say “no” to excessive work demands are vital for maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
- Seek Peer Support and Mentorship: Running a small business can be isolating, but seeking support from a network of peers and mentors can provide valuable insights and emotional encouragement. Sharing experiences and challenges with others who have faced similar situations can alleviate the feeling of being alone in the journey. Mentors can offer guidance and perspective, helping entrepreneurs navigate complex decisions with more confidence.
Decision fatigue is a significant challenge faced by small business leaders and entrepreneurs. By implementing practical strategies like prioritizing decisions, streamlining processes, and seeking support, they can navigate the complexities of decision-making while safeguarding their well-being and fostering growth in their ventures.
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A Letter from our President & Board Chair
At the Entrepreneurs’ Center, everything we do is driven by one goal: delivering real impact to the clients and communities we serve. Over the years, we’ve celebrated major milestones—but none more meaningful than the one we’re proud to share today.
Between 2017 and 2024, EC-supported businesses surpassed $1 billion in cumulative economic impact, measured through revenue generated, investment capital attracted, and grant funding secured.
That kind of impact doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of relentless work to make the Dayton Region one of the very best places to build a business—through bold programming, expanded access to capital, and a community that’s more connected than ever.
For high-growth, high-tech startups, we continue to lead the region’s Ohio Third Frontier Entrepreneurial Services Provider program. Today, we support more than 100 tech companies whose innovations are fueling job creation, attracting capital, and reshaping Dayton’s economic future. In 2025, our successes were recognized with a program extension through mid-2027.
At the same time, we remain equally committed to the small businesses that sustain and energize our communities. Through the Miami Valley Small Business Development Center, we served more than 500 Main Street entrepreneurs in 2024, offering education, one-on-one advising, and support to access the funding they need to grow. We also deepened our role as a convener, hosting Dayton Startup Week and welcoming over 400 attendees and 80 speakers to share, learn, and connect.
2024 was also a breakout year for the Arcade Innovation Hub, our flagship innovation space. Now home to more than 160 member companies, The Hub Powered by PNC Bank has become the region’s most dynamic gathering place for entrepreneurs, educators, and creatives. This partnership between the University of Dayton’s Crotty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Entrepreneurs’ Center is a powerful example of what’s possible when institutions work together to spark innovation.
From our earliest days as a startup incubator to today’s billion-dollar milestone, we’ve remained grounded in one mission: to build progress and prosperity through entrepreneurship. The future we envisioned is now happening—and we’re just getting started.
We’re deeply grateful to our public and private partners, our community collaborators, and especially the hundreds of small business owners and startup founders who trust us to walk alongside them. This impact is yours, too.
We believe the next billion is already on its way.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
The federal SBIR and STTR programs provide billions of dollars in non-dilutive funding to support technology innovation, yet many early-stage companies struggle to navigate the application process and build the commercialization strategies necessary for success.
Water technology innovators often face additional challenges, including high initial capital costs, long adoption timelines, complex regulatory environments, and limited access to commercialization support tailored to the sector.
The SBIR/STTR Accelerator addresses these barriers and aims to support startup fundraising efforts by helping participants:
- Understand and navigate the federal funding landscape
- Develop compelling value propositions and commercialization strategies
- Identify market opportunities and competitive advantages
- Strengthen business planning and investor readiness
- Build actionable plans for pursuing SBIR/STTR funding
A Letter from our President & Board Chair
As we reflect on another year of bold ideas, resilient founders, and transformative growth, it’s our pleasure to present the 2025 Annual Impact Report for Entrepreneurs’ Center—the Region’s venture development leader.
In 2025, our team remained focused on our mission: to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurial businesses across the Dayton region at every stage—from a good idea to a scaling business to a business attracting capital. Through targeted programming, expert mentorship, access to capital, and deep partnerships across the ecosystem, we continued to build a thriving environment where entrepreneurs can turn visionary ideas into economic engines for our community.
In 2024, we reported that our impact exceeded $1B since 2017. That momentum is not just continuing—it’s accelerating. In 2025 alone, EC-supported businesses generated more than $266M in economic impact, signaling a pace of growth that is compounding year-over-year.
These outcomes are more than numbers—they represent real stories of innovation, perseverance, and community reinvestment right here in Dayton. From high-growth technology startups to main-street businesses and neighborhood innovators, the entrepreneurs we serve are strengthening our regional economy and positioning Dayton as a hub for opportunity and progress.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of our Board of Directors, our funders, investors, corporate partners, academic collaborators, and dedicated team. Your belief in the power of entrepreneurship fuels our impact across the Miami Valley and beyond.
We invite you to explore the full 2025 Annual Impact Report to see the depth of our programs, the success stories of the founders we are privileged to work with, and the forward momentum we’re building together.
Thank you for your continued partnership as we continue to power progress and prosperity in the Dayton Region.
Scott Koorndyk, President
Dr. David Kirschman, Board Chair
937-203-0771 
