About: Mission and Goals!
How did we get here?
StartupSeattle.com was originally founded By Red Russak of StartupCity LLC in 2012 as a grassroots effort to assist local startups and connect them with events and resources, both online and through one-on-one interactions. Startup Seattle was originally funded through partnerships with Startup Weekend, Microsoft BizSpark, TechStars & Founders Co-op and intended to serve, inform and connect the local startup ecosystem whether serial entrepreneurs, first-timers, would-be or wannabe entrepreneurs.
The City of Seattle believes this effort is critical to keeping our economy thriving, and that is why Mayor Mike McGinn, the City Council and the Seattle Office of Economic Development have adopted StartupSeattle.com – to continue the important work of supporting our local technology startup community.
What is the Startup Seattle Initiative?
Startup Seattle is a collaborative effort between the City of Seattle and leaders of Seattle’s technology startup community to develop a strategy for supporting early-stage technology companies, expand the number of startups, and firmly establish Seattle as an internationally recognized home for emerging technology companies.
What is the four point plan?
- Startup Seattle Business Services. The Startup Business Sector Liaison will re-launch and manage StartupSeattle.com, serve as a single point of contact for new tech startup entrepreneurs and existing community partners, and work with the Startup Seattle Advisory Group to develop and execute a marketing plan to promote Seattle as a destination for top talent and investment capital.
- Expanding Opportunities in Technology. The City will form new partnerships with Startup Weekend, Student RND, Code.org, and other local companies to increase high school student access to experiences in the technology startup sector, with an explicit focus on targeting youth in Seattle’s underserved communities.
- Placemaking. Fremont, South Lake Union, and Pioneer Square are already successful startup hubs, with a good mix of established companies, new companies, residences, and amenities. The City will continue to support existing hubs such as these while taking advantage of opportunities to create innovation centers in other neighborhoods such as the University District.
- Broadband Infrastructure. The City will continue its support for development of a high-speed fiber-to-the-home/fiber-to-the-business broadband network that will give Seattle a major technological edge and create an environment that will stimulate business opportunities.
So, what’s next?
Seattle’s Office of Economic Development will lead this initiative with the help of the Startup Seattle Advisory Group. For 2013 and 2014, Startup Seattle will focus on the following:
- Hire the Startup Business Sector Liaison – anticipated in August, 2013. Once the liaison is hired, she or he will begin outreach to the startup community and providing similar and additional business services to what has become the tradition of StartupSeattle.com.
- Re-launch the StartupSeattle.com website [until the Startup Business Liaison is hired, StartupSeattle.com will continue operating as it has, without interruption.
- Organize 2-3 events to connect high school students directly with local technology opportunities
- Facilitate connections between Seattle Public Schools leadership and Code.org
- Initiate a University District market assessment focusing on the development potential of office space attractive to startups
- Develop a marketing plan and identify partnerships and funding
