Free, self-directed learning series tailored for creative occupations teaches essential skills to build a successful small business OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington Department of Commerce has launched its new Creatives Academy, the third in a series of self-directed educational academies for small business owners. Designed to teach the essential skills needed to turn a creative pursuit into a successful small business, the academy contains 11 tracks. Lessons range from developing…
Tag Archives: small business
Small Business Resiliency Network adding new members to assist diverse entrepreneurs and business owners, promote opportunities for equitable economic recovery statewide OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Department of Commerce is soliciting community-based nonprofit organizations interested in joining the agency’s Small Business Resiliency Network. Network organizations provide culturally- and linguistically- appropriate outreach, translation, education and other assistance to small business owners from historically marginalized communities. “The pandemic revealed enormous disparities…
Find Ventures and Department of Commerce open applications for new Equitable Innovations Accelerator
Groundbreaking new program seeks to fund tech start-up founders from underserved communities SEATTLE, WA — Find Ventures, a Washington state-based nonprofit whose mission is to fund entrepreneurs, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, today launched a new Equitable innovations Accelerator to fuel the start-up community at the earliest stage of business development. This program aims to make “entrepreneurship for all” a reality by prioritizing entrepreneurs from underserved…
Over 200 businesses and non-profits affected by COVID-related border restrictions to receive Working Washington Border Business Relief grants OLYMPIA, WA – Continuing its efforts to provide financial assistance to businesses and nonprofits severely affected by the pandemic, the Washington State Department of Commerce today announced $2.6 million in Border Business Relief grants to 206 businesses and nonprofits in 10 counties that rely on an open border for customers, tourism and…
Leading professionals to conduct online sessions to spur new business starts and inspire entrepreneurship statewide OLYMPIA, WA — As Washington state turns the corner on the pandemic, record numbers of entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses. Compared to 2020, new business starts are up 19.8% statewide, increasing from 55,539 through October last year to 69,301 new businesses this year. (US Census Bureau Business Formations Dashboard). With that in mind, the…
OLYMPIA, WA — El Washington State Department of Commerce (Departamento de Comercio del Estado de Washington) anunció un nuevo programa de subvenciones que se pondrá en marcha el 4 de octubre para ayudar a determinadas pequeñas empresas perjudicadas por el cierre de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y Canadá. La frontera ha permanecido cerrada a la mayoría de los viajeros desde marzo de 2020 debido a la pandemia de COVID-19.…
Nearly $760 million in sales attributed to State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) since inception OLYMPIA, WA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has awarded the Washington State Department of Commerce a tenth year of funding to help small businesses grow through exporting. The $2 million grant is part of the SBA’s State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Commerce will use the funds to continue a number of successful export assistance…
Program works with and through trusted local lending institutions to support historically underserved businesses OLYMPIA, WA — Small business owners and nonprofits across Washington can start applying today for low interest loans of up to $150,000 through the newly-launched Small Business Flex Fund. The Fund is a public-private partnership aimed at helping small businesses and nonprofits – particularly those in low-income communities – recover and grow as communities across the…
The SmartWA dashboard and decision tool is one of several Safe Start projects aimed at supporting small businesses through COVID-19 OLYMPIA, Wash. — As Washington state businesses prepare for full reopening on June 30, many are looking for ways to reassure customers and clients that health and safety remains a top priority. To help small business owners identify the safety protocols most likely to be important to customers, the Washington…
More than 350 growth-oriented small businesses helped during pandemic OLYMPIA, WA – “ScaleUp: The Rebuild Edition,” an education and training partnership between the Washington State Department of Commerce and Thurston Economic Development Council, has scheduled three new eight-week course tracks for small businesses interested in achieving exponential growth as the economy reopens. Each interactive course is two hours long and held once a week for eight weeks. The ideal participant…