RISE-WA: Rural Investment for Small-Business Empowerment in Washington State
Are you an owner of a Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned business (S/W/BIPOC) in rural Washington?
If you answered yes, then we encourage you to learn more about our RISE-WA Accelerator!
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is proud to announce that we have been awarded a Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grant. PNWER will leverage the success of the recently completed Congregate Solutions Accelerator project and begin a new phase focused on underserved rural communities. PNWER will focus on assisting rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State. Through this project, PNWER will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and small under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise. The purpose is to accelerate post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities and provide needed guidance and services to help them expand and grow their businesses. Connecting S/W/BIPOC businesses with technology and technical assistance providers based on their needs will help to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses and increase tax revenue in rural areas.
If you answered yes, then we encourage you to learn more about our RISE-WA Accelerator!
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) is proud to announce that we have been awarded a Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grant. PNWER will leverage the success of the recently completed Congregate Solutions Accelerator project and begin a new phase focused on underserved rural communities. PNWER will focus on assisting rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State. Through this project, PNWER will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and small under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise. The purpose is to accelerate post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities and provide needed guidance and services to help them expand and grow their businesses. Connecting S/W/BIPOC businesses with technology and technical assistance providers based on their needs will help to increase revenue and jobs for participating small businesses and increase tax revenue in rural areas.
Interested in Applying for the Accelerator?
What is the RISE-WA Accelerator?
The Accelerator is a project funded by a Small Business Innovation Fund grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce.
The goal of the project is to bring technical solution providers and technology entrepreneurs together with rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State to utilize innovation and technology of the urban tech sector to improve pandemic resilience and business recovery. The project will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise to small business owners and entrepreneurs and accelerate the post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities.
The Accelerator is a challenge-based accelerator. A "challenge-based” accelerator means that we will work with businesses on the main challenges that are currently barriers to growing and expanding their businesses.
We want to hear from you, the business owner, about the challenges that you are facing!
The goal of the project is to bring technical solution providers and technology entrepreneurs together with rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State to utilize innovation and technology of the urban tech sector to improve pandemic resilience and business recovery. The project will facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and under-resourced businesses to provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise to small business owners and entrepreneurs and accelerate the post-pandemic recovery in these under-resourced businesses and communities.
The Accelerator is a challenge-based accelerator. A "challenge-based” accelerator means that we will work with businesses on the main challenges that are currently barriers to growing and expanding their businesses.
We want to hear from you, the business owner, about the challenges that you are facing!
Who Should Apply?
Our project is aimed at helping Small*, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in rural Washington. If you are a S/W/BIPOC business owner in Washington State and your business operates in any of the following counties, then we encourage you to apply!
Washington Rural Counties:
Washington Rural Counties:
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Has your business experienced any of the following challenges?
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Running a business is challenging especially in rural communities where access to helpful resources might be scarce.
We want to help!
*"Small business" as defined by State of Washington RCQ 39.26.010 (22):
"Small business" means an in-state business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that:
(a) Certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either:
(i) Fifty or fewer employees; or
(ii) A gross revenue of less than seven million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return
filed with the department of revenue over the previous three consecutive years; or
(b) Is certified with the office of women and minority business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.
"Small business" means an in-state business, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that:
(a) Certifies, under penalty of perjury, that it is owned and operated independently from all other businesses and has either:
(i) Fifty or fewer employees; or
(ii) A gross revenue of less than seven million dollars annually as reported on its federal income tax return or its return
filed with the department of revenue over the previous three consecutive years; or
(b) Is certified with the office of women and minority business enterprises under chapter 39.19 RCW.
Why Should You Apply?
Benefits:
- Direct Financial Support
- S/W/BIPOC businesses can receive up to $20,000 in technical assistance.
- S/W/BIPOC businesses can receive up to $10,000 for time spent in the 6-week accelerator.
- Mentorship
- Industry & Subject Matter Expertise
- Technical Assistance
- Pilot Project with Solution Provider
How to Apply?
Applications are now closed! If you have already submitted an application, the RISE-WA team will be in touch with you.
Thank you for your interest in the RISE-WA Accelerator!
Thank you for your interest in the RISE-WA Accelerator!
Questions? Contact RISE-WA Program Lead Steve Myers at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org.
When does the Accelerator take place?
The Accelerator programming begins on April 28 and runs through May 26. The program will include 8 weekly and occasional bi-weekly sessions and workshops on a range of topics based on feedback we receive from you as well as one-on-one sessions with your mentor and/or innovative partner/solution provider.
Remember, you can reimbursed for your time up to $10,000!
Participation is currently remote and will take place over Zoom or by phone. In-person meetings can arranged if needed.
Remember, you can reimbursed for your time up to $10,000!
Participation is currently remote and will take place over Zoom or by phone. In-person meetings can arranged if needed.
Expectations for Selected Cohort Businesses
What do we expect from you once you are selected as a RISE-WA Accelerator cohort business?
Once you have been selected, you will need to commit to a minimum of 16-20 hours over the course of 6 weeks for Accelerator programming such as sessions and workshops. Additional time will be required for mentorship and to work with your solution provider to address your business challenges.
Once you have been selected, you will need to commit to a minimum of 16-20 hours over the course of 6 weeks for Accelerator programming such as sessions and workshops. Additional time will be required for mentorship and to work with your solution provider to address your business challenges.
FAQs
What is the RISE-WA Accelerator?
The RISE-WA Accelerator is a challenge-based accelerator funded by a Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grant. A "challenge-based” accelerator means that we will work with businesses on the main challenges that are currently barriers to their businesses. We want to hear from you, the business owner, about the challenges that you are facing! The program is designed to assist businesses experiencing challenges in any of the following areas: Finance Planning and Management, Supply Chain Management and Logistics Planning, Marketing Planning and Assistance, Human Resources and Workforce Management, Healthcare, Point of Sale, Inventory Systems Management, Legal and Regulatory Assistance, and Other Identified Challenge Areas.
How much does it cost to be a part of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
It does not cost S/W/BIPOC-owned businesses anything to take part in the Accelerator other than your time and commitment to participating in the Accelerator programming and working with mentors and solutions providers on solutions to challenges that you have identified in your business.
When does the RISE-WA Accelerator take place?
The Accelerator programming will begin on April 28 and run through May 26.
How much time will I need to spend as a part of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
To take part in the Accelerator, you will need to commit to a minimum of 16-20 hours over the course of 6 weeks for Accelerator programming such as sessions and workshops. Additional time will be required for mentorship and to work with your solution provider to address your business challenges.
How will the RISE-WA Accelerator help my business?
Businesses in the RISE-WA Accelerator will receive a grant of up to $10,000 for time spent in the accelerator program which includes weekly and bi-weekly workshops from industry and subject matter experts. Businesses will also receive up to $20,000 worth of support services from selected solution providers. Businesses will participate in one-on-one meetings with solutions providers and mentors identified to work specifically with businesses on challenges affecting them and catered to their specific needs. Our goal is to help you and your business succeed and build resilience to withstand future challenges!
How do I know if I qualify for the RISE-WA Accelerator?
If you are a small, woman and/or Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned business in rural Washington State, then you qualify! See the section "Who Should Apply?" above for more information on who qualifies.
What counts as rural Washington State?
Washington State Rural Counties include Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
What are the goals of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
The RISE-WA Accelerator is a challenge-based accelerator funded by a Washington State Department of Commerce Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grant. A "challenge-based” accelerator means that we will work with businesses on the main challenges that are currently barriers to their businesses. We want to hear from you, the business owner, about the challenges that you are facing! The program is designed to assist businesses experiencing challenges in any of the following areas: Finance Planning and Management, Supply Chain Management and Logistics Planning, Marketing Planning and Assistance, Human Resources and Workforce Management, Healthcare, Point of Sale, Inventory Systems Management, Legal and Regulatory Assistance, and Other Identified Challenge Areas.
How much does it cost to be a part of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
It does not cost S/W/BIPOC-owned businesses anything to take part in the Accelerator other than your time and commitment to participating in the Accelerator programming and working with mentors and solutions providers on solutions to challenges that you have identified in your business.
When does the RISE-WA Accelerator take place?
The Accelerator programming will begin on April 28 and run through May 26.
How much time will I need to spend as a part of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
To take part in the Accelerator, you will need to commit to a minimum of 16-20 hours over the course of 6 weeks for Accelerator programming such as sessions and workshops. Additional time will be required for mentorship and to work with your solution provider to address your business challenges.
How will the RISE-WA Accelerator help my business?
Businesses in the RISE-WA Accelerator will receive a grant of up to $10,000 for time spent in the accelerator program which includes weekly and bi-weekly workshops from industry and subject matter experts. Businesses will also receive up to $20,000 worth of support services from selected solution providers. Businesses will participate in one-on-one meetings with solutions providers and mentors identified to work specifically with businesses on challenges affecting them and catered to their specific needs. Our goal is to help you and your business succeed and build resilience to withstand future challenges!
How do I know if I qualify for the RISE-WA Accelerator?
If you are a small, woman and/or Black, Indigenous, Person of Color-owned business in rural Washington State, then you qualify! See the section "Who Should Apply?" above for more information on who qualifies.
What counts as rural Washington State?
Washington State Rural Counties include Adams, Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Franklin, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, and Yakima.
What are the goals of the RISE-WA Accelerator?
- Bring rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-owned businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington State together with technical solution providers and technology entrepreneurs.
- Utilize innovation and technology of Washington State's tech sector to improve pandemic resilience and business recovery.
- Facilitate new business relationships between technical assistance solution providers and under-resourced businesses.
- Provide direct financial support, mentorship, and industry expertise to rural S/W/BIPOC business owners and entrepreneurs.
- Accelerate the post-pandemic recovery in rural S/W/BIPOC-owned businesses and communities.
RFQ: PNWER Seeking Solutions Providers to Assist Rural Small, Women, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color-Owned Businesses (S/W/BIPOC) in Washington StateDeadline Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis, as cohort members identify challenges. Submissions will only be accepted by email. Please send qualifications by email to Steve Myers, Senior Program Manager, at Steve.Myers@pnwer.org. View the full RFQ here. Additional Resources and Programs |
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