Events and Training

Women-owned Business Pitch Competition

COVID 19 Financial Support Survey

COVID-19 Related Relief Programs: Give us Your Feedback

We want to hear from you. SBA invites you to participate in a survey to assess your satisfaction with SBA’s customer service and communication on COVID-19 related grant and loan relief programs. The results will be used to monitor and improve the effectiveness of future SBA customer service and communications efforts. The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete for each program from which you obtained financial assistance.

Launch the survey

Tacoma Maritime Innovation Incubator

Applications are now open for entrepreneurs interested in support for commercializing solutions in the maritime, marine, clean energy and logistic and trade sectors.  Housed at the Center for Urban Waters on the Thea Foss Waterway, TMII provides 12 months of robust programming for startups in these sectors.

To apply:

https://forms.gle/Kvw7wst82jCYdfj57

Questions?  Contact Karina at Karina@maritimeblue.org

Pierce County Business Accelerator

MBDA events

ScaleUp Training Series Sessions 17 & 18 [StartUp Washington]
May 18 – July 13 > Still open for registration
These flexible class times spanning a 9-week period are focused on teaching proven strategies to small businesses that will increase resiliency and spur growth in the wake of a global pandemic. This powerful program will give you the tools necessary to take your time back, break through the profit plateau, create new sources of revenue, and help you to work on your business rather than in your business!
Session 17: Wednesdays: 8:30 – 10 a.m. PDT, May 18 – July 13
Session 18: Wednesdays: 6 – 7:30 p.m. PDT, May 18 – July 13

University of Washington Supplier Orientation [UW]
Monthly – see dates below, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM PST
The orientations will provide a learning opportunity to assist in navigating potential business prospects at the University and with other state agencies, as well as educational and other resources to assist businesses. Orientation sessions are virtual and will include representatives from the University and other regional business development agencies.

• July 14, 2022:  Registration Link
• August 14, 2022: Registration Link
• September – no session
• October 6, 2022:  Registration Link
• November 3, 2022:  Registration Link
• December 1, 2022:  Registration Link

Grow with a Pro [Business Impact NW]
Tuesdays, 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM PT
Whether you are in the idea phase or a growth phase in your business, we invite you to attend our weekly Grow with a Pro coffee chats. You will hear from Business Professionals from Umpqua Bank, Tax-u-Sign, and an Attorney from the Rational Unicorn.
Every Tuesday from 9 to 9:45 am Pacific Time, you will get to hear from one of these professionals as they chat about their area of expertise as it relates to current times and we will have an opportunity for a few of your non-confidential questions to get some answers. We’ll even be offering you opportunities to connect with other business owners through these morning coffee chats.

• First Tuesday of Every Month:
  Neura Conejo – Banking Professional – Umpqua Bank
• Second Tuesday of Every Month:
  Lily Tran – Tax Professional – Tax-u-Sign
• Third Tuesday of Every Month:
  Andrew Peoples – Insurance Professional – Parker, Smith & Feek
• Fourth Tuesday of Every Month:
  Michael Jonas – Legal Professional – Rational Unicorn Legal Services PC

Doing Business with the City of Seattle – Online
First Fridays of each month, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM PT
Join City of Seattle for “First Fridays” online to meet Purchasing and Contracting staff who are part of purchasing, consultant contracting and construction/public works teams. Three sessions are offered at at once so choose the one you’re interested in!
Separate online workshops are available same day in Spanish, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM. Primer Viernes del mes

PTAC & SBDC First Friday Follow-Up
Every first Friday of each month
EASC/PTAC Friday Follow-up is an open forum, round table for businesses to get answers from your local PTAC counselor. Bring your questions regarding government contracting and learn from knowledgeable Small Business Experts. Janet Toth with the Small Business Development Center will be with us to share her knowledge about growing your business.

Organizational Event Calendars

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of agencies offering small business training and development opportunities. Please explore the sites below to see upcoming events:

• William Factory Small Business Incubator Calendar
• Washington State L&I Workshops and Training Center
• Minority Business Development Agency Event Calendar
• Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber Of Commerce Event Calendar
• The World Trade Center Tacoma Event Page
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Event Page
• Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan Briefing Workshops
  • Events at Bottom of Page
• The Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) Event Calendar
• Washington Center For Women In Business Event Calendar
• Invista Performance Solutions Courses
• Veterans Business Outreach Center Region X (Business Impact NW) Courses
• Economic Alliance Snohomish County

Organizational Resources

Please explore below to see what resources are offered by the following organizations:

• Washington State Business Hub
• Pierce County Libraries (Job And Business Center) Resources
  • Access with Pierce County Library Card
• Tacoma Library Business Resources
  • Access with Tacoma Library Card
• City Of Tacoma Office Of Small Business Enterprise (SBE)
  • Contact: Carrie Lynn Phone: 253.591.5224 Email: clynn@ci.tacoma.wa.us
• City Of Tacoma Business Marketing Data Services
  • Contact: Carol Wolfe Phone: 253.591.5384 Email: cwolfe@cityoftacoma.org