Startup 425 Innovation Lab

Startup425, an alliance of five Eastside cities dedicated to small business assistance is partnering with Bellevue College’s Tombolo Institute to offer Startup425 Innovation Lab, an intensive, four-week program designed to help existing businesses and entrepreneurs interested in starting a business to acquire new knowledge and adapt to the changing economic environment created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program has a customized approach to meet the unique needs of participating businesses.  By conducting a comprehensive assessment of each business at the outset of the program, faculty can address the pain points that each is experiencing. This year, the program has added developing an online presence, critical in the post-COVID economy.  Preparing to access capital, thereby increasing a business’s chances of getting a loan, also will be offered by Business Impact NW, a CDFI that helps underserved businesses secure loans.

Professor Leslie Lum is a published author of Multicultural Marketing and Business Consulting, one of whose co-authors includes UW Foster School’s Michael Verchot. Professor Judith Paquette has over a decade of experience in accounting, auditing, and financial planning.

They will be assisted by a group of experts, business advisors, and mentors, all recognized on the Eastside, who will be available to provide their insights and expertise, and connections to the region’s business ecosystem along with follow-on business assistance at the conclusion of the program.

MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION HERE

What You Will Learn:

• Acquire knowledge of the M3 Model of Markets, Money, and Management as a framework for analyzing your business.
• Conduct an assessment of the key factors that drive the success of your business.
• Work in teams with instructors, peers, mentors, and advisors to develop strategies to improve your business and create a support network to execute.