about
a distributed research organization.
Local Foundation studies how communities, startup ecosystems, and regional networks actually work — and builds the tools that let the people inside them see what's happening. We've been doing this work for twenty years, on three continents.
why we exist
we've been flying blind.
We can measure venture funding to the euro and a platform's users to the person. We still can't say whether a community is healthy, whether the work a community builder does produces belonging or resilience, or which community designs hold up under pressure. The people doing some of the most important work right now have the least data to do it with. That's the gap. We're building the instrument.
how we work
embedded in the work, not above it.
Embedded, not extractive
We work inside communities and ecosystems over time, not through one-off surveys or second-hand data. The people we study are the people we answer to.
Open by default
Tools, methods, and findings should help ecosystems see themselves. We publish what we learn and build infrastructure others can use.
With, not on
We collaborate with ecosystem builders, public bodies, and local actors. Our role is to support, connect, and make patterns visible — not to speak for anyone.
the team
who we are.
A small, distributed team of builders, entrepreneurs and tech experts — a diverse bunch of punks and misfits, working close to the communities we study.
where we are
close to the ground.
We're distributed by design — the research only works if we're in the places we're studying, alongside the people doing the building.
work with us
Partner on research, or build on the infrastructure
We collaborate with ecosystem builders, public bodies, funders, founders, and community organizations. If any of the above sounds like the work you're doing, we'd like to hear from you.