Minority Business Accelerators (1.1)

LISC Puget Sound, in collaboration with Amazon, launched its Housing Equity Accelerator Program! The year-long program, whose goal is to expand the capacity of emerging real estate developers of color in support of affordable housing, provides access to knowledge and networks through skill-building content, implementing individualized growth plans, group and interactive learning, case studies (including their

Maritime Blue, a Washington-based independent cluster alliance that is committed to the development of maritime business, technology, and practices that promote a sustainable future recently announced the 10 startups participating in its 2022 accelerator program. The 3rd cohort will start a 4-month program focused on helping maritime industry startups learn to scale & grow an

There are numerous new and established accelerators that provide BIPOC-owned businesses with coaching, capital, and connections. But this constellation of accelerators does not add up to a cohesive system that adequately serves the needs of BIPOC business owners. There are gaps before, during, and after a business engages with an accelerator. Before: no regional system for

The Innovation Lab is an intensive, mentor-based, customized 4-week course that helps established Eastside businesses (more than one year in operation, have revenue, located in Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, and Renton). The course is taught by Bellevue College instructors Leslie Lum and Judith Paquette. Like UW Foster’s Ascend program, which is in part based on

Maritime Blue is an independent cluster alliance, based in Seattle, that is committed to the development of maritime business, technology, and practices that promote a sustainable future. The Maritime Blue Innovation Accelerator is one of its signature initiatives. It is an intensive four-month program that connects maritime industry startups to advisors, corporate partners, government agencies,

The Founder Cohort program works with 20 to 25 venture-scale, seed-stage startups over the course of six months. It is now in its sixth cohort. The program, which begins with a 3-day bootcamp followed by monthly workshops, provides founders with a roadmap to guide them through the process of increasing revenue, securing investment, and growing

The Port of Seattle created the PortGen Acccelerator in 2021 to help small businesses scale up to prepare for Port procurement opportunities. It is focused on businesses with revenues of at least $500,000 and at least three years in operation and some previous experience with government contracts, and seeks to serve businesses located in South

Ascend uses an “M3” model to connect high-potential businesses owned by people of color with guidance on Management skills, access to Money, and access to Markets. Ascend works with cohorts of businesses, primarily owned by people of color, that have been in operation for at least a year and have revenues of at least $300,000

36% of employees who plan to return to work will do so after up/reskilling or changing industries (Southside Chamber of Commerce data). In order to support the shifting workforce and ensure South King County retains businesses and workers, Seattle Southside Chamber is proposing a business incubator program that includes a startup package, technical assistance, mentoring

Business Impact NW is a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to serving underbanked entrepreneurs. They provide coaching, classes, and access to capital to community small businesses, with an emphasis on working with traditionally underserved populations – entrepreneurial low/moderate income earners, women, BIPOC, veterans, immigrants or members of the LGBTQ+ community. Business Accelerator Plus