Specialized Services: Incubation
Access new markets and test ideas
Our Services
We strive to give our entrepreneurs increasing access to markets and incubation opportunities. Ventures has a retail store and incubator in Pike Place Market, the Ventures Marketplace, where our business owners can test and refine their products, an online Business Directory that allows entrepreneurs to increase their online presence, as well as booths at gift shows and pop-up markets. We also provide access to affordable commercial kitchen space for our food businesses.
After completing the Business Basics Course, you have access to Specialized Services: business training, capital, coaching, and hands-on learning opportunities. Schedule a meeting with one of our business coaches to enroll in Specialized Services.
Ventures’ Incubation Programs
Ventures has an affordable commercial kitchen space. Ventures leases a space at a commercial kitchen and then sub-rents to our entrepreneurs at an affordable, sub-market rate. The space can be used by people who do packaged food products, catering, or mobile food. The kitchen comes fully equipped and includes limited shared storage space. Flexible scheduling is available, making this a great option for small businesses who are just starting out.
The Ventures Business Directory allows customers to search for Ventures’ food, service, and product businesses. Ventures entrepreneurs interested in a Business Directory listing can receive coaching from Ventures Business Coach on how to create a professional online profile, tell their story, and attract customers using online marketing strategies. Ventures advertises the Directory to its community of board members, donors, volunteers, partners, and other supporters.
Ventures’ product businesses sell at the Ventures Marketplace where entrepreneurs have access to millions of customers each year passing through the historic Pike Place Market. All vendors at the store receive coaching from retail experts, and sell their products on the shelves next to ~100 other local small businesses.
Ventures participates in and hosts various special events to help our entrepreneurs grow their businesses, access new markets, generate revenue, learn new skills, and gain first-hand experience through valuable business situations.
We offer various events throughout the year, such as:
- The Seattle Gift Show (Winter)
- InnoVentures: A Small Business Pitch Contest (Spring)
- Gates Foundation Giving Marketplace (Winter)
Coaching helps our entrepreneurs identify and overcome barriers to business success. Our coaches are teachers, mentors, counselors, and business consultants. Coaches work side by side with business-owners as they create marketing, sales, and financial plans but they do more than help with business plans and goal setting – they are cheerleaders. Ventures’ Business Coaches are great listeners, ask open-ended questions, motivate, and meet our entrepreneurs where they’re at.
