"Every once in a while, a new technology, an old problem, and a big idea turn into an innovation." - Dean Kamen, Inventor of Segway
Resource Library
This list is provided for your convenience only and is not guaranteed to be complete.
Washington State Department of Commerce has identified Key Sectors in the state as high growth areas. If your product or concept falls into one of these key areas, you may be able to find additional resources.
You can find links to the key areas below.
Washington State has set up a central website with all the information you need to know about starting a business.
On this website you will find:
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Guidance on getting an UBI number
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Information on business licenses, entity registrations
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Links to a comprehensive Small Business Guide
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and much more!
You can find a link to a free comprehensive Small Business Guide HERE.
Commerce has a website focused on the states entrepreneurs.
On this website you will find:
Associate Economic Development Organizations
Your local Associate Economic Development Organization (ADO) can provide you with free and low cost assistance in your region.
Assistance may include:
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Finding sites for to establish your business
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Information for and about your region
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Links to regional resources
You can find a full list of the ADO's in Washington State HERE.
Business Advisors
Below is a list of no-cost advising centers available across the state
Links
Thurston County Center for Business and Innovation
Location: Lacey, WA
The Thurston County Center for Business and Innovation (CB&I) is home to a variety of support programs such as an investment network, training series for entrepreneurs, coaching, meeting spaces, and more.
Greater Spokane Inc
Location: Spokane, WA
GSI fosters small business growth and encourages entrepreneurial ventures. Top priorities include: medical education and research, Fairchild Air Force Base, Regional Education Attainment, North Spokane Corridor (NSC), and AIR Spokane (aerospace initiative for recruitment).
Minority Business Development Agency
Location: Tacoma, WA
Supported by Commerce, The MBDA Business Center located in Tacoma, Washington is operated by the City of Tacoma. The center is part of a national network of funded centers located in major cities throughout the United States. The center works with minority business enterprises to generate increased financing and contract opportunities and to create and retain jobs.
Washington PTAC
Location: Eight centers across the state
IWashington's Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) are part of a national network of advisors who assist businesses with government contracting. No charge workshops, one on one counseling and other services are available.
Small Business Development Centers
Location: Multiple centers across the state
Supported by the SBA, Washington's Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are part of a national network of advisors who assist businesses with starting and expanding their business, mentoring, understanding financials, market research and much more. No charge workshops, one on one counseling and other services are available.
Washington's Women's Business Centers
Locations: Lacey, WA; Spokane, WA,
Supported by the SBA, Washington State has three Womens Business Centers (WBCs) that provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs (especially women who are economically or socially disadvantaged) and who are offered comprehensive training and counseling on a variety of topics in many languages to help them start and grow their own businesses.
SCORE
Location: Multiple centers across the state
SCORE mentors are available for businesses around the state. Funded by the SBA, they are able to help small business owners set up their business through mentoring and eduction.
Incubators and Accelerators
Links
Life Science Washington Institute
Location: Seattle, WA
Life Science Washington Institute is a non-profit organization focusing on providing resources and education for researchers and entrepreneurs looking to grow their ideas from concept to commercialization. LSWI hosts workshops, bootcamps, monthly Lunch & Learn events, and pro-bono startup consulting. Additionally, LSWI is home to the WA Innovation Network Mentoring Program. All services are free and open to the anyone in the life science industry.
Cambia Grove
Location: Seattle, WA
Cambia Grove is a health care innovation hub focused on bridging the gap between entrepreneurs and the traditional health care sectors.
RAIN Incubator
Location: Tacoma, WA
RAIN’s mission is to facilitate the growth of the Life Science and Tech industries in Tacoma. RAIN tackles this through providing accessible hands-on educational experiences for Tacoma’s students, empowering life science start-ups and small businesses, and executing pivotal research in our downtown Tacoma location.
CoMotion Labs
Location: Various
CoMotion Labs, part of CoMotion, provides a multi-industry labs system hosting startups from inside and outside the UW community across three locations near or on UW campus, or via our virtual lab in Spokane.
Primary Care Innovation Lab
Location: Seattle, WA
The PCI-Lab is a collection of UW faculty who bring together the knowledge, skills and ability to work collaboratively with health organizations and industry partners.
Cascadia Cleantech Accelerator
Location: Oregon
Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator is a business accelerator program that offers a 15-week program delivers mentorship, curriculum, connections and funding opportunities designed specifically for early-stage cleantech startups.
Alexandria Launch Labs
Location: Seattle, WA
IAlexandria LaunchLabs provides early-stage life science companies with first-class, move-in-ready office/laboratory space, high-caliber company-building resources and network, comprehensive lab operations and equipment, and access to strategic risk capital
Intuitivex
Location: Seattle, WA
Intuitivex offers support for medical innovations by serving as an incubator as well as a link to industry experts and investors.
North Bank Innovators
Location: Vancouver, WA
North Bank was designed as an educational organization to connect local founders and help them learn about the strategies and skills necessary to navigate the startup world and help them create great companies..
Manufacturing and Production
Links
Lacey MakerSpace
Location: Lacey, WA
The Lacey MakerSpace is a physical location where people can gather to share resources and knowledge, work on projects, network, and build. We provide tools and space in a community environment so you can start making whatever you can create.
IMPACT Washington
Location: Bothell, WA
IMPACT Washington is part of the MEP National Network™ , which is a unique public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions to U.S. manufacturers, fueling growth and advancing U.S. manufacturing.
Pacific NW Tech Bridge
Location: Poulsbo, WA
We encourage investment in our regions manufacturing capabilities, as well as bring opportunities for funding avenues, networks and partnerships.
Universities
Links
University of Washington - Office of Research
The Office of Research is led by the Vice Provost for Research and oversees three administrative units: Human Subjects Division (HSD), Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), and Office of Research Information Services (ORIS). Assisting the Vice Provost for Research in providing leadership in supporting UW’s research community, is a strong team of Associate Vice Provosts as well as a liaison for OR and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories (PNNL).
Washington State University Office of Commercialization
The Office of Commercialization is responsible for the evaluation, protection, and commercialization of innovations and discoveries and for the expansion of WSU’s public impact. We help to further enhance these research innovations and discoveries by bridging the gap between WSU researchers and industry.
Western Washington University Institute for Energy Studies
In 2012, Western established the Institute for Energy Studies, an interdisciplinary program that brings together science, technology, public policy, business and economics to prepare graduates to address the complex issues in the transition from inefficient use of fossil fuels to a sustainable energy system.
St. Martins University Science Initiative
Saint Martin's University joins a national movement to increase America's science and math graduates with our Science Initiative campaign.
Laboratories and Research Centers
Links
Federal Laboratories
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the formally chartered, nationwide network of over 300 federal laboratories, agencies, and research centers that fosters commercialization best practice strategies and opportunities for accelerating federal technologies from out of the labs and into the marketplace.
To help U.S. companies increase their competitive edge, Congress mandated that—whenever possible—the R&D conducted in federal labs should be transferred to the private sector. This process—known as technology transfer—is a widely untapped resource that can help labs and businesses prosper. Whether looking to strengthen your lab’s T2 activities or seeking a laboratory to partner with to enhance your R&D needs, the FLC can open doors and make connections that are ready to be leveraged.
Washington State Laboratories
Pacific National Labs
Location: Richland, WA
One of the Department of Energy's national laboratories
Focus: Scientific Discovery, Energy Resiliency, National Security
Fred Hutchison Cancer Institute
Location: Seattle, WA
501 (c) (3) Non Profit
Focus: Cancer research
Idaho National Laboratory
Location: Idaho Falls, ID
One of the Department of Energy's national laboratories
Focus: Nuclear energy, national security, energy and environment
USGS Western Fisheries Research Center
Location: Seattle, WA
Part of the US Geological Society
Focus: Restoration ecology
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Location: Seattle, WA
Part of the Department of Commerce - NOAA
Focus: Restore and maintain marine ecosystems
Pacific Northwest Research Station
Location: Seattle, WA - headquartered in Portland. OR
Part of the USDA Forest Service Research and Development
Focus: Scientific study of natural resources
Northwest Sustainable AgroSystems Research Unit
Location: Pullman, WA
Part of the USDA Agriculture Research
Focus: Technologies that fuel agriculture production
Prosser Irrigated Agricultural Research
Location: Prosser, WA
Part of Washington State University
Focus: Agriculture industry related research
US Forestry Sciences Laboratory
Location: Wenatchee, WA
Part of the US Forest Service
Focus: Analyzing landscape responses to large changes
Funders
Health Science and Services Authority (HSSA)
HSSA funds life and health sciences research in Spokane County.
Keiretsu Forum
Keiretsu is an angel investor network in the Northwest and Rockies regions. They invest in technology, consumer products, life sciences, and other high growth segments.
Keiretsu Forum
Keiretsu is an angel investor network in the Northwest and Rockies regions. They invest in technology, consumer products, life sciences, and other high growth segments.
Funders
Links
Keiretsu Forum
Keiretsu is an angel investor network in the Northwest and Rockies regions. They invest in technology, consumer products, life sciences, and other high growth segments.
THINK Network
Thurston County Investor Network (ThINK( believes in encouraging local investors to invest in local businesses.
E8
E8 is an angel investor network that focuses on early stage clean tech companies.
Health Science and Services Authority (HSSA)
HSSA funds life and health sciences research in Spokane County.
