Specialized Services: Incubation
Access new markets and test ideas
Our Services
Ventures offers a number of sliding scale resources beyond the initial eight-week Business Basics course to help people reach their goals and move their businesses forward. After attending an Orientation and completing the Business Basics Course, entrepreneurs 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
Commercial Kitchen
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.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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.
RETAIL STORE IN PIKE PLACE MARKET
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.
SPECIAL EVENTS
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
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.
Learn More About Our Incubators
Nuestro 25 Aniversario
Esta época del año en Ventures es usualmente acogedora, festiva y de conexion. Nuestra oficina está decorada con oropel y adornos, y con golosinas caseras para compartir. Nuestro equipo se reúne con clientes, donadores, voluntarias/os y socias/os de negocios locales...
25 Year Anniversary
This time of year at Ventures is cozy, festive and connected. Our office is decorated with tinsel and bows, and fully stocked with homemade goodies to share. Our team is meeting with clients, donors, volunteers and partners at local businesses to let them know how...
Ventures Marketplace Stories of Resilience: Art Maranta Illustrations
“I didn’t know what I had before Ventures” Seven years ago, Amaranta Sandys was a single mother working part-time jobs and wishing she had more independence to raise her son. Without support from family, however, it was hard to image maintaining financial stability...