The Entrepreneurship Summit offers a unique platform for individuals passionate about entrepreneurship to come together, learn from each other, and ignite innovative initiatives that drive economic growth and positive change in the greater King County area and beyond. Additionally, this event will provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to receive beneficial information on how to sustain and grow their businesses in the local economy and adjust to trends in the market.

Small businesses play a critical role in our economy, providing jobs and driving growth in local communities. However, starting and running a small business can be a daunting task, especially for those who are new to the world of entrepreneurship. That’s why we’re excited to host our upcoming summit for small businesses in our network. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive resource for small business owners by offering valuable insights, resources, and connections that will help them thrive.

At the heart of the event will be a series of panel discussions and speakers covering a wide range of topics related to establishing and maintaining a successful small business. We’ve invited experts from various fields to share their expertise, including financial advisors, marketing specialists, and successful entrepreneurs. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in lively discussions, gaining valuable insights and actionable advice that they can apply to their own businesses.

In addition to the panel discussions, we’ll also be offering a walk-in service for individuals who are just starting out and need guidance on how to get their business off the ground. Our team of experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide step-by-step guidance on everything from writing a business plan to obtaining the necessary permits and licenses. We’ll also be connecting attendees with a range of mentors, consultants, and other resource providers who can offer personalized guidance and support tailored to their specific needs.

By providing small business owners with as much information as possible, they can make informed decisions and succeed in their ventures. We believe that by bringing together a diverse group of experts and resources, we can help small businesses in our network thrive, creating jobs and driving growth in our local communities. We’re excited to welcome all attendees to our summit and look forward to supporting their entrepreneurial journey.

Stakeholders

• Government
• Corporations
• Small business development organizations
• Small business owners
• Lending institutions
• Aspiring small business owners

The summit will be a full-day, 7 hour event. The event offers a formal opening and closing, a lunch break, and a total of four panels with short networking intermissions in between. Towards the end of the event, we will cap it with an Award Ceremony.

Panels

1. Navigating Startup Ecosystems & Access to Capital – Discussion on strategies for navigating the startup landscape, accessing resources, and overcoming challenges.
2. Innovation & Disruption – Discussion on exploring emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and innovative business models reshaping and creating new opportunities for entrepreneurship.
3. Capacity Building & Contract Procurement: Discussion on exploring strategies for successful contract procurement and capacity building focusing on enhancing skills, resources, and capabilities necessary for entrepreneurs to thrive in these markets. We will discuss the importance of building relationships, understanding procurement processes, and leveraging resources to scale operations and meet contractual obligations.
4. Sustainable Capital: Discussion on the different types of lending options available for small businesses and how to prepare and manage funding for the long-term.

Networking Lunch

• Each panelist or invited organization will be assigned to a specific lunch table prior to the event.
• The registered participants on a first come first serve basis will be able to select which table they would like to sit at during lunch.
• This can be done at the point of registration or when they arrive for the event.
• The lunch discussion will be on a topic that will be moderated by the panelist or invited organization.

The 2nd Annual Entrepreneurship Summit will be hosted on October 2024 from 11am to 6pm at Seattle University.

• Date: October 26, 2024
• Time: 11:00AM – 6:00PM
• Location: Pigott Building | 901 12th Ave. Seattle, WA 98122