Apply for a State Business License

Opening a business? Making changes to an existing business? You'll probably need to file a Business License Application.

Washington State Business Licensing Service

Resources

Business Plan Development

SBDC provides steps on how to start a business.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Resources

Chelan-Douglas Trends

Chelan Douglas Trends seeks to improve local, public decision making by providing relevant data in an easily navigable website. The data are offered as neutral informaiton for all parties involved in public policy issues.

Eastern Washington University Institute for Public Policy and Economic Analysis

Data & Information

Exports

The WSBDC export readiness center has offices in Seattle and Spokane with two International Trade specialists who cover the state of Washington. Our Trade Specialists are international trade experts, Certified Global Business Professionals and have decades of international experience to assist owners and managers with in-depth, confidential and no-cost assistance. We have worked with hundreds of businesses to help them successfully prepare and export their products and services.

Washington State Small Business Center

Resources

Foreign Trade Zone

In a Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ), commercial merchandise, both domestic and foreign receives the same Customs treatment it would if it were outside the commerce of the United States. Merchandise of every description may be helf in the zone without being subject to tariffs and other ad valorem taxes. This tariff and tax relief is designed to lower the costs of US-based operations engaged in international trade and thereby foster global competitiveness.

Grant County Economic Development Council

Resources

Grants & Loans

State leve grants and loans to help you start your business.

Washington State Department of Commerce

Funding

Growing the Economy

Small businesses require capital to grow. Unfortunately, many loan programs are designed to serve larger businesses. To close the funding gap, the Department of Commerce offers your growing business several loan programs that can help you purchase new equipment, renovate, expand or construct facilities, support early stage product development or repurpose properties that have been abandoned or underutilized due to environemental issues.

WA State Department of Commerce

Funding

Growth

SBDC advisors have been helping Washington businesses achieve their full potentional since 1980. Request an advising appointment to learn more about how SBDC advisors can help you take your business to the next level or assist you with a business issue. Our Certified Business Advisors and Trade Specialists assist owners and managers with in-depth confidential and no-cost assistance designed to address every aspect of your business management and operation.

Washington State Small Business Center

Resources

Indiegogo

Indiegogo is a launchpad for entrepreneurial ideas. More than a crowdfunding platform, Indiegogo offers services and resources from key partners to empower entrepreneurs throughout the life of their project.

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Funding

Individual Business Counseling

SBDC advisors have been helping Washington businesses achieve their full potentional since 1980. Request an advising appointment to learn more about how SBDC advisors can help you take your business to the next level or assist you with a business issue. Our Certified Business Advisors and Trade Specialists assist owners and managers with in-depth confidential and no-cost assistance designed to address every aspect of your business management and operation.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Resources

Kickstarter

Kickstarter helps artists, musicians, filmmakers, designers, and other creators find the resources and support they need to make their ideas a reality. To date, tens of thousands of creative projects - big and small - have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

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Funding

Mentoring Online

A business mentor can have a positive impact on startups. A mentor’s experience and connections can provide valuable insight and support for the entrepreneur developing and launching a new business. Visit the MicroMentor platform, create a profile, and select the business challenges you'd like to work on. Then, view the mentors who have expertise in those areas and start a conversation. Whether you have a quick question or a deeper subject you'd like to discuss, you'll find experienced entrepreneurs who are ready to help.

WVC Center for Entrepreneurship

Resources, Community, Education

Online entrepreneur/business classes

SBDC training provides practical, real-life solutions tailored for the entrepreneur and facilitated by knowledgeable business professionals.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Education

Quest Revolving Loan Fund

An Economic Development Lender that promotes new businesses, supports currently established businesses, and helps create jobs. Quest usually becomes involved when a potential borrower is rejected by an SBA Bank or are asked to participate in a loan with an SBA Bank. For more information email quest@nwi.net or call (509) 663-5711.

Quest

Funding

Regulatory Handbook

The Regulatory Handbook contains information about local, state and federal permits, approvals, and licenses for Washington State. Although not a complete list, this list does provide in-depth information on most environmental permits.

State of Washington Governor's Office for Regulatory Innovation & Assistance

Resources

Road Map for Opening A Business

This is a road map for opening a business in the state of Washington. There are eight steps in the road map but not all of them will apply to your business. We recommend you read through all steps in this road map before applying for your business license.

Washington State Small Business Guidance

Resources

Small Business Guide

This free guide provides links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in the state of Washington (available in six languages).

Washington State Small Business Guidance

Resources

StartUp Washington: Grants & Awards

Resource list of grants and awards compiled by StartUp Washington

StartUp Washington

Funding

StartUp Washington: Mentor's Corner

The website Quora introduces mentors from all over the world to help entrepreneurs be successful. People from all walks of life can ask a question about any subject, which is then distributed to a vast network of people, from experts and authorities to regular folk with relevant knowledge. The answers are then archived and organized so they can be accessed by anyone else with the same question. Each week, this site will post some of those questions and link to some of the best answers. It's like having a mentor in a box.

StartUp Washington

Community

StartUp Washington: Work Spaces Map

Explore StartUp Washington's interactive map showing coworking spaces, maker spaces, incubators, accerators, and commercial kitch incubators in Washington state.

StartUp Washington

Resources

Starting a Business

Thinking of opening your own business? This portal will help you begin or complete the process. You will find links to a start-up guide, training and ther resources at 'Not Sure Where To Start' and resource links in "Market Research." Our advising services include business and financial plan completion.

Washington State Small Business Center

Resources

Startup Toolkit

Explore and learn more about getting started.

WVC Center for Entrepreneurship

Resources

Startup Washington: Angels & Venture Capitalists Resources

This is a resource list of Angel Networks, Venture Capital Firms, and more funding options for your business.

StartUp Washington

Funding

USDA Programs & Services

USDA Rural Development operates over fifty financial assistance programs for a variety of rural applications.

USDA Rural Development

Funding