diverse company employees conversing in the office

Startup Assistance

In Tacoma-Pierce County, your startup is set up for success from start to finish.
An image of downtown Tacoma featuring the old clock tower
An image of the corner of a brick, historic building in Tacoma
An image of the Washington capitol building
  • Financial Support
  • Specialized Incubators
  • Small Business Incubators
  • Local Resources
  • State Resources
Financial Support
Financial Support

Fund Your Business

With multiple opportunities for state and local financial assistance, we’re here to help you find the funding plan that works best for you. Pierce County offers loan programs to businesses located in or expanding to Pierce County. These loans are made in partnership with bank financing and provide funding for permanent working capital, equipment acquisition, start-up costs and more. The City of Tacoma grant and loan program assists businesses in accessing capital through small business loans, microloans, historic rehabilitation & repair loans, fire safety loans and more. Whether it’s short- or long-term loans or crowdfunding, Washington state has several funding strategies to help businesses grow and expand.

Specialized Incubators
An image of downtown Tacoma featuring the old clock tower
Specialized Incubators

Launch Your Business

Meet the incubators coworking spaces that are home to our latest and greatest startups. The Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE) at the University of Washington Tacoma provides an applied training environment that supports military veterans’ entrepreneurial aspirations and promotes their understanding of the modern startup life cycle. Readiness Acceleration and Innovation Network (RAIN) is a nonprofit collaborative medical and biotechnology ­incubator in downtown Tacoma, WA. RAIN’s mission is to catalyze the development of innovative med/biotech companies that generate sustainable, high-paying jobs in the greater Tacoma area. Tacoma Maritime Blue is an incubator committed to the advancement and development of maritime businesses in Tacoma. The incubator focuses on clean water and alternative energies and provides companies with free rent and access to mentorship and funders.

Small Business Incubators
Small Business Incubators

Launch Your Business

Spaceworks is a startup incubator, artscape hub and co-working venue that cultivates creative communities. William M. Factory Small Business Incubator hosts small businesses and provides them with access to financial capital, workshops, mentors, coaches and networking. The Spaceworks Black Business Accelerator works to advance Black-owned businesses in Tacoma and to assist in breaking down systemic barriers for these businesses through the creation and execution of business plans, network opportunities and more. SURGEtacoma empowers startups, freelancers, entrepreneurs, students, and nonprofits by providing state-of-the-art offices, co-working spaces, resources and networking opportunities.

Local Resources
An image of the corner of a brick, historic building in Tacoma
Local Resources

Grow Your Business

With resources like the Startup253, growing a small business in Tacoma is easier and more collaborative than ever before. Startup253 is a startup resource and networking hub, bringing together entrepreneurial leaders, venture capital and more to advance local startups and place the South Sound at the forefront of innovation and creativity. SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. Because their work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and thanks to their network of 10,000+ volunteers, SCORE is able to deliver its services at no charge or at very low cost.

State Resources
An image of the Washington capitol building
State Resources

Taking Your Business to New Heights

The state of Washington provides businesses with countless resources to help take your business to new heights. The Washington Small Business Development Center (WSBDC) is a network of business advisors and support staff who assist clients with making better informed business decisions to grow and sustain their businesses. The Washington State Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises (OMWBE) develops programs designed to improve the contributions of minority- and women-owned small businesses to the Washington state economy. The Washington State Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) provides helpful information, links to valuable resources, and outlines the steps for starting and operating a business in Washington state.

Contact

Are you a startup looking to build your business in Tacoma-Pierce County? Our experienced staff can help you on your journey.

Stay Informed

Interested in learning more about building a business in Pierce County? Our team of economic development professionals are here to help. Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay informed.