Washington has an assortment of resources ranging from downloadable handbooks, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, sector-specific training, maker-spaces creating proof-of-concept prototypes and business incubator parks for anyone who wants to start a business and is willing to look for help, take advice and apply themselves.
We will begin with resources applicable to any business in Washington and narrow the focus to conclude with resources aimed at businesses in the Palouse Region of Washington and Whitman County.
Statewide Resources
- Small Business Resource Guide – Washington and Northern Idaho – international trade, economic development councils, technology resources, disaster preparedness and business incubators.
- Startup Washington – women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, disaster preparedness and recovery, angel investors/venture capital, grants/loans, colocation space, maker spaces, incubators and business accelerators.
- International Trade
- Matching Buyers with Sellers – matches qualified foreign buyers with Washington agricultural producers
- Marketing Resources – trade representatives, export/emerging market promotions, Japan External Trade Organization
- Searchable Database of Food and Agriculture Suppliers – Washington agricultural producers selling to international markets
- Washington Chambers of Commerce – association of Washington businesses, Washington research council, Washington state economic and tourism
- Economic Development Councils – economic development organizations by county
- Women’s Business Center – Governmental resources, grants/loans, angel investors, seed/venture capital, organizations, networking/education for women-owned businesses
- Business Impact Center – coaching, training, marketing, business advising and lending resources
- Washington Business Hub – starting and operating a business in Washington State
- Washington Export Resource Center – downloadable guide to exporting
- Choose Washington – business sector overviews, county profiles, exporting guide, innovation partnership zones and publications
- Agribusiness
- Searchable Database of Food and Agriculture Suppliers – Washington agricultural producers selling to domestic markets
- WSDA Small Farm & Direct Marketing Handbook – small farm (farmer/family member involved in day-to-day labor/management, and owns/leases the farm’s assets) best practices, direct marketing, certifications, and regulations
- Commodity Commissions – commodity-specific marketing and research
Regional Washington Resources
- Business Incubators
- Ignite Northwest (Spokane WA)
- Start-Up Spokane (Spokane WA)
- SURF Incubator (tech startups) (Spokane, WA)
- Applied Process Engineering Lab (Richland WA)
- RCDR Small Business Incubator (Yakima WA)
- Culinary Incubators
- Kitchen Spokane (Spokane WA)
- The Seasoned House (Pullman WA)
The Palouse Region
- Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA) – connects entrepreneurs, businesses, and industries within Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, and Whitman counties with federal, state, regional and local resources that promote economic vitality and create jobs
- Startup Whitman– venture capital/angel investors, training, business plan counseling, networking, colocation workspaces, demographics, business incentives, university technology transfer, and economic development organizations in Whitman county
Pullman Resources
- Palouse Knowledge Corridor – connecting research, science, businesses, entrepreneurs and economic development organizations in the Palouse
- BTE Bootcamp – 5-day intensive entrepreneurial training, mentoring, pitch practice and networking that accelerates the development of business models, funding, and marketing strategies
- Pullman Chamber of Commerce Business Resources – classes, workshops, seminars, hiring, planning and marketing connections for Pullman businesses
- City of Pullman – Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), Washington State University (WSU) technology transfer programs, local entrepreneurial activities and business parks
- Small Business Development Center business advisors, trainers, and support staff helping clients launch and grow their businesses
- Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) – non-profit helping small businesses grow through education and mentorship
- WSU
- Business Plan competitions – develop business skills in real-world setting, network with industry professionals
- Harold Frank Entrepreneurship Institute – a three-semester program with interdisciplinary teams solving real world problems with an entrepreneurial approach that manages uncertainty, improves design, hones presentation skills while working within real fiscal and technical constraints
- Entrepreneurship Center Carson College of Business – students learn how to create a prototype, develop a business plan and launch a business
- Scholarly Knowledge, Innovation, and Leadership Development (SKILD) Program – students/interns team with WSU faculty to develop innovative research-based products and services
- Entrepreneurial Faculty Ambassadors – WSU’s statewide efforts transferring university research into products and services benefiting the public
- Frank Innovation Zone (FIZ) – maker-space with wood, metal, electric testing and desktop fabrication studios, a community studio and service center open to students and the general public.
- I-CORPS – 8-week program assisting faculty, student, and staff entrepreneurs transforming ideas into successful business products and services
- Pullman Industrial Park – Port of Whitman County
- Washington State University Research And Technology Park
—BTE Bootcamp