Strong startup ecosystems do not happen by accident. They grow when investors, founders and advisers build trust, share expertise and create clear paths to capital.

In this episode of "The Innovation Imperative," Patrick Driscoll and Partner Chauncey Lane talk with Trey Bowles, founder of Park Cities Angel Network (PCAN), about his entrepreneurial background, launching PCAN and why early-stage investing works best when it is rooted in community, supported by disciplined deal flow and focused on practical guidance for founders.

Mr. Bowles points to PCAN's organic growth, its partnerships with institutions such as South ...