In Focus: Some schemes, initiatives & grants available for women entrepreneurs in Washington
#WomenEntrepreneurs #WashingtonStateResources #FemaleFounders #WomenInBusiness #WashingtonEntrepreneurs #BusinessSupport
Washington state is a thriving hub for women entrepreneurs – offering a plethora of resources & opportunities designed to support their business ventures. The state’s commitment to fostering a conducive environment for women founders is evident through various initiatives & programmes, tailored specifically for women-owned businesses.
The Washington State Department of Commerce plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem, as they provide essential services such as access to capital, comprehensive business planning & valuable mentorship programmes. These resources are crucial for women looking to navigate the complexities of starting and scaling a business.
In Seattle, the Women’s Business Center (WBC) at the Seattle City Light headquarters is a cornerstone of support. It offers an array of services including – training, coaching, and networking opportunities – all designed to empower women entrepreneurs with the skills and connections they need to succeed.
Additionally, organizations like the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Seattle and the Women’s Enterprise for Sustainability (WES) further bolster this supportive network. These organizations offer robust support and facilitate valuable connections – helping women entrepreneurs overcome challenges and achieve their business goals.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Washington State
With such a comprehensive support system in place, women in Washington state are well-equipped to start, grow & sustain successful entrepreneurial ventures, driving economic growth and innovation throughout the region.
Here are some resources like schemes, initiatives, grants that are available for women entrepreneurs in Washington.
> StartUp Washington
The Small Business Training & Education Center (MyStartup365.com) is managed by the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Office of Economic Development & Competitiveness. What it does is that it serves as a clearing house – for all the information and resources entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses need to achieve success, including funding sources, training and technical assistance, mentorship, education and information.
Rural & small business economic development work also rests with the OEDC’s Small Business Training & Education, State Marketing and Tourism team. Most of theseindividuals have sound experience – they have started their own businesses, been entrepreneurs or consulted with companies large and small, around the state and around the world.
The Department of Commerce is committed and focused on strengthening communities and growing local economies that celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, provide the necessary infrastructure to support growth and expansion, have the right mix of services and programmes to support intelligent economic development and offer families a safe place to live, work and play.
https://mystartup365.com/about-us-2/
> Washington Women’s Business Center (WWBC)
The Washington Women’s Business Center is committed to training & financing women entrepreneurs.
A programme of Business Impact NW in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, WWBC supports the startup and growth of women-owned businesses.
They equip women and their families in Washington State with the connections, resources, and training needed to successfully start and run a business. Their services are open to all.
Washington Women’s Business Center actually helps launch your dream! Starting and running a small business takes dedication, passion and time; it takes information, connections, and new skills. They provide free to low-cost classes and free one-on-one business coaching to develop your business, strengthen your systems, work smarter with your team, and increase profit margins.
Their goal is – to increase the number of women-owned small businesses; maximize jobs created by and for those businesses and also reinforce the growth, profit, and value of each business.
All interested people will gain the following:
> Understanding of funding options
> Help in preparing loan packages and presentations for lenders and potential investors
> Skills to help you manage business profitability
> Support in creating a comprehensive business plan and financial projections
> Help to identify business expansion options, & more!
https://businessimpactnw.org/washington-womens-business-center/
> US Department of Commerce
Having all tools and resources to support women entrepreneurs is the Department of Commerce. A key mission of the Department is – to improve economic competitiveness to help enable workers and companies to succeed in the global economy. Women entrepreneurs and business owners are vital to accomplishing economic success.
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s 2022–2026 Strategic Plan sets out the priorities established for the Department and informs the public about their important work. This strategic plan summarizes key strategies that will drive progress in the Department’s five goal areas. It is designed to permeate throughout the Department and also serves as an overarching guide for allocating the resources needed – to achieve the Department’s long-term economic and social outcomes.
https://www.commerce.gov/about
Washington Government Agencies
> Washington State – Small Business Guidance
Washington States’ Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) makes it easier to do business across the state. If you are considering starting a business, this resource provides guidance on:
Business training: Take classes and attend workshops to gain the knowledge you need to be successful.
Business planning: Write a comprehensive business plan to guide you as you make your business a reality and avoid costly mistakes.
Washington State Small Business Guidance helps provide insights & resources on how to Start Your Business, Payroll Your Business, Open Your Out-of-State Business in Washington, Run Your Business, Grow Your Business, and Close Your Business.
> Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises – OMWBE
The Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises is the sole agency that certifies minority- & women-owned business enterprises – to participate in public contracting and procurement.
This programme includes a comprehensive certification process, small business support services, and a Supplier Diversity team.
> Washington Small Business Administration – SBA
The State of Washington SBA is supported by main district offices in Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon as well as an additional location in Spokane, Washington. They provide services including funding programmes, counseling, federal contracting, certifications & disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders & other community groups that help small businesses succeed.
Examples of educational programmes and events include – Funding Your Working Capital Needs, Grant Funding with USDA, Tax Essentials for New and Existing Business Owners, Federal Contracting 101, and QuickBooks Online Basics.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/washington-state-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-
business
Washington Agencies & Non-profit Organizations
> Washington Small Business Development Center (WA SBDC)
The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) consists of a network of more than 30 expert business advisors, working in communities across the state – to help entrepreneurs or small business owners start, grow, or buy/sell a business.
SBDC advisors provide one-on-one, confidential, no-cost advising on all phases of small business development; and they are often co-located with economic development specialists in community colleges, economic development agencies or government agencies. Other services of the Washington SBDC include – no-cost or low-cost workshops on a variety of business topics and customized market research services.
> Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB)
The Washington Center for Women in Business, WCWB, works to grow & strengthen women-owned businesses throughout Washington state.
If you have a new idea for a small business or enterprise, you can rely on their support – right from your idea’s first inception to its eventual expansion or diversification. WCWB also offers – entrepreneurial training programs, workshops, one-on-one counseling, coaching, and special events to women in all stages of business development.
> Washington Women’s Business Center (WWBC)
Washington Women’s Business Center, WWBC, supports startups & growth of women – owned businesses. They equip women with – the connections, resources, and training needed to successfully start and run a business.
Washington Women’s Business Center provides free to low-cost classes and free one-on-one business coaching – to develop your business, strengthen your systems, work smarter with your team & increase profit margins.
So WWBC can help you in the following areas:
– understand your funding options.
– prepare loan packages and presentations for lenders and potential investors.
– manage business profitability.
– create a comprehensive business plan with financial projections.
– identify business expansion options.
> SCORE Washington
SCORE Washington provides free, confidential one-on-one business counseling by phone, email, and in-person. SCORE conducts programmes for both start-up entrepreneurs & seasoned small business owners alike, including:
> Mentoring: Entrepreneurs can access free, confidential business mentoring in person at local chapters and partner locations or remotely via email, phone and video. SCORE mentors are experts in entrepreneurship and related fields, who meet with their small business clients on an ongoing basis to provide continued advice and support.
> Webinars and Courses: SCORE regularly offers free online workshops on topics ranging from startup strategies to marketing and finance. Attendees can watch webinars live or view recordings online on their own time. Courses are also offered on-demand, so you can walk through each module at your own pace.
> Library of Online Resources: Business owners can also benefit from SCORE’s extensive collection of guides, templates, checklists, blogs, videos, infographics, and more.
NOTE:
SCORE Central Washington in Wenatchee serves the Wenatchee Valley to the Canadian border.
SCORE Greater Seattle serves King, Snohomish, Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam, Island, and San Juan counties.
SCORE Mid-Columbia Tri-Cities in Kennewick serves Benton, Franklin, and Walla Walla
counties.
SCORE Bellingham serves Whatcom and Skagit counties.
SCORE South Sound/Tacoma serves Pierce, South King, Thurston, Lewis, Mason,
Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties.
> Women Business Owners (WBO)
Women Business Owners (WBO) helps women business owners be more connected, more empowered and more successful by providing: a powerful business referral network; insightful business education; personal and online connectivity and visibility & strategic business support and inspiration.
Serving both Seattle and the Eastside, WBO empowers women business owners – to achieve success through a robust referral network, insightful business education, online visibility & strategic business support.
Besides activities like – small group lunches, after hours networking sessions, business building groups, and mentorship programs, as well as workshops – will help you grow your business and discover new and exciting opportunities.
> Thurston Economic Development Council – Center for Business and Innovation
The Center for Business and Innovation helps small businesses grow and succeed in Washington State. The programmes provide free and low-cost resources – to help you start and grow a business, including advising, business training, financial training, funding and more.
The Center for Business and Innovation operates in South Puget Sound Community College’s Lacey Campus. The Thurston Economic Development Council, Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Washington Center for Women in Business, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) all operate in the same space – creating a wrap-around hub for new business owners and entrepreneurs across Washington State.
The CB&I can support your business with:
> business advising
> startup training
> training on accounting, marketing, human resources and more
> market research
> prototyping
> location assistance
> strategic partner referrals
https://www.lisamasiello.com/washington-state-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-
business
Funding – State and Federal Sources
> U.S. Small Business Administration – Funding Resources
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:
> Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.
> Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.
> Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.
> Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.
> Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.
> Graham & Walker – Female Founders Alliance
Graham & Walker is a venture firm on a mission that is involved in supporting and investing in tomorrow’s most powerful companies.
Powered by Graham & Walker, Female Founders Alliance is a community of women dedicated to helping each other succeed. It is virtual, free, and inclusive and enables you to connect with other founders, investors, resources, and more.
> Washington State – Small Business Guidance – Loan and Grant Programmes
Washington state’s Small Business Liaison Team (SBLT) makes it easier to do business in Washington State – by linking entrepreneurs and small businesses to Washington state resources.
Business funding resources include Federal Loan Programs, Washington State Loan programs, and Local Loan Programs available to you to grow your business.
https://www.lisamasiello.com/washington-state-women-entrepreneurs-start-a-new-
business
> Amber Grant for Women
In 1998, WomensNet founded the Amber Grant. Being one of the very first online organizations to give women-owned business grants, the Amber Grant was set up to honor the memory of Amber Wigdahl. Incidentally, she was a special young woman who died at just 19 years old, before realizing her business dreams.
A simple place to start is with Amber Grant for Women. Businesswomen from Washington (and throughout America) are eligible to win one of these $10,000 grants.
(They give away three every month!!) The judges award these Amber Grants every month, so there’s always an opportunity to apply. Even better — if you win this or any month, you’re automatically one of our finalists for three year-end $25,000 Amber Grants.
https://ambergrantsforwomen.com/business-grants-women-washington/
> 89 Women Grants for Washington
These are grants for women entrepreneurs, seed money to individual women, college
grants for women, small business grants for women, enterprise grants and grants for
minority women.
https://washington.grantwatch.com/cat/39/women-grants.html
> Resources for Women-Owned Businesses
Today, it’s no secret that women are opening businesses in record numbers. From small
shops to high profile startups, 36% of all businesses in the United States are women-
owned businesses; that’s roughly 10 million companies.
The following grants are open at various times throughout the year. Please check their
website – for applications and deadlines.
Women’s Funding Alliance
The Women’s Funding Alliance vision is for all women and girls to have the opportunity to live, lead and thrive. Their mission is to advance leadership and economic opportunity for women and girls in Washington State. They accomplish this by making the case, driving solutions and mobilizing people to make change.
Tory Burch Foundation
The Tory Burch Foundation offers women entrepreneurs affordable loans by connecting women with community lenders It is open to businesses operating for at least two years that have a satisfactory credit rating.
Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards
The Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards may fit any aspiring woman entrepreneur’s needs. The winner receives $20,000 in funding and one year of coaching as well as access to an array of networking opportunities. To participate -, submit your business proposal online. Finalists fly to France to present their business plans and projects in front of a panel. Please note, that alone makes it an attractive award opportunity!!
FedEx Think Bigger Small Business Grant Program
The FedEx program, Think Bigger program is held annually. It has a public voting component to it, giving you a good marketing opportunity as well.
Idea Café Small Business Grant
The Idea Café has different kinds of grants – sorted by type, award amount and the targeted demographic.
Avtar Madan
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
