E.J. Reedy’s career journey reads like a masterclass in cultivating innovation. From philanthropy to academia, venture capital to life sciences, and now as the founder of Intentional Gravity, his focus has always been clear: build ecosystems that empower entrepreneurs to thrive.
His work spans industries, geographies, and organizational types, but the common thread is his belief in intentionality, community, and connection. Intentional Gravity is the natural evolution of this work—helping organizations activate innovation ecosystems with the right people, programs, and support structures.
Asked to describe Intentional Gravity, Reedy reflects: “I’ve spent my career growing ecosystems from different perspectives—philanthropy, universities, accelerators, incubators, and venture capital. Intentional Gravity is designed to support those shaping innovation and help them accelerate their work.”
His approach prioritizes people over spaces. While physical locations matter, the real value comes from the relationships, networks, and collaborations that make ecosystems thrive.
“You have to create gravity,” Reedy emphasizes, referencing his company’s name. “You need to build something people feel pulled toward—often without even realizing why. It’s about overcommunicating, being intentional, and listening. If all you’re offering is a desk and Wi-Fi, you’re missing the opportunity to create a deeper sense of community.”
Reedy has a nuanced perspective on community vs. ecosystem, two terms often thrown around in innovation circles.
“Community is your immediate circle—the people you interact with daily, like a household. The ecosystem is the broader set of connections that support and enhance that community. They require different strategies to build and sustain.”
His work at Portal Innovations exemplifies this philosophy. When he joined, Chicago’s life sciences ecosystem was still emerging.
“We built an environment that manifested that ecosystem. Many people were working remotely or independently, disengaged from the larger network. The real work was in connecting those dots—bringing together existing talent in Chicago with new ideas, emerging entrepreneurs, and outside perspectives. That intentionality helped fuel the city’s rapid growth as an innovation hub.
In recent years, Chicago has gained national attention, with major industry events like BioBridges recognizing its growing influence in life sciences and deep tech.”
This same ethos now drives Intentional Gravity’s work in incubator and accelerator activation.
Reedy has seen firsthand what works—and what doesn’t—when activating innovation spaces.
“One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that a great space will automatically lead to a great community. It doesn’t matter how nice the building is or how much funding you have—without human incentives, engagement won’t happen.”
His advice for building thriving innovation environments is simple: welcome, overcommunicate, and invite.
“Whether you’re hosting five people or fifty, make sure everyone is welcomed, encouraged to introduce themselves, and made to feel part of something. Scientists and technical professionals aren’t always encouraged to collaborate naturally, so fostering that belonging takes extra effort.”
Ecosystem-building often treats people too simply—categorizing them as founders, investors, or researchers and assuming they will naturally find their way into the right rooms. But the reality is more complex. People are not just their job titles. They have different motivations, personal obligations, and ways of engaging with a community. If we don’t design for that complexity, we miss out on real engagement.
That’s the philosophy behind Intentional Gravity—helping incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs move beyond surface-level engagement strategies to build ecosystems that recognize the full complexity of the people within them. A strong ecosystem isn’t just about who is present—it’s about who is truly connected.
“Too often, programming assumes people will show up, engage, and connect in the same way. But founders, researchers, and remote workers each experience community differently. If we don’t intentionally create multiple pathways for engagement, we end up with spaces that feel transactional rather than transformative.”
Through activation strategies that center human behavior, Intentional Gravity helps organizations move from infrastructure to meaningful connection. This work takes many forms:
Quiet Cohorts™, for example, acknowledges that not everyone integrates into an innovation hub in the same way. One of the Intentional Gravity Quiet Cohorts™, IRL Chicago Tech, is designed specifically for telecommuters—people who live in Chicago but are disconnected from its innovation scene because they work remotely. Instead of leaving them isolated, the cohort provides a structured, intentional way to build deeper ties to the local ecosystem—something that traditional programming rarely addresses.
By combining activation strategy with programming designed for real human complexity, Intentional Gravity ensures that innovation ecosystems aren’t just built—they actually work for the people in them. Whether helping an incubator create its first community engagement plan or refining how a venture-backed accelerator supports its entrepreneurs, the goal is always the same: make ecosystems that aren’t just functional, but deeply connected.
A thriving innovation ecosystem requires more than just physical space—it needs tools that facilitate connection, engagement, and collaboration. While Reedy’s work focuses on human-driven ecosystem-building, he recognizes that technology can enhance and scale these efforts.
One challenge many incubators face is bridging physical and digital engagement. Managing memberships, fostering collaboration, and tracking engagement require the right tools. That’s where Coworks provided value.
“Coworks was the first fully integrated platform I had really used. Like anything digital, it’s an ongoing evolution, but it provided the tools we needed to support our community in meaningful ways.”
For Reedy, Coworks wasn’t just software—it was an enabler of connection. The key was its ability to reinforce real-world interactions, making them more productive and repeatable.
“The real work isn’t just in getting people in the same space—it’s in making those interactions meaningful. Digital tools, when used right, don’t replace in-person connection. They strengthen it.”
As incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces evolve, the ability to integrate digital and physical spaces will be a key factor in building ecosystems that truly thrive.
As Reedy continues to build Intentional Gravity, his message to those leading incubators, accelerators, and coworking spaces is clear:
“Don’t compete on commodities. Compete on connection. That’s where the magic happens.”
For incubator operators, Quiet Cohorts™, structured activation programs, and intentional community-building efforts aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re essential for creating true innovation ecosystems.
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