Spaceworks Incubator: Fall 2026 Creative Enterprise
Spaceworks invites creatives who have a plan for a creative/innovative business that benefits Tacoma’s community and are seeking to develop a thriving business to apply to participate in its Fall 2026 Creative Enterprise Program.
Spaceworks’ Creative Enterprise Program provides relevant and meaningful business training and peer-to-peer support to the participants to systematically grow Tacoma’s creative class and generate destination quality activity that will engage and transform our community.
Cohort Training
The Creative Enterprise is the backbone of our Incubator and results in a formal business plan. Participants meet every Tuesday for 12 weeks (3 hours/week). Sessions include:
- Session 1: Orientation, Expectations, and Alumni Panel
- Session 2: Business Foundations, Your “Why”, and Products/Services
- Session 3: Business Financials
- Session 4: Branding and Culture, Storytelling
- Session 5: Defining Your Customer and Competition, Market Analysis, SWOT
- Session 6: Marketing in Practice
- Session 7: Funding/Financing Opportunities
- Session 8: Insurance and Leasing
- Session 9: Hiring Employees, HR, and Contracts
- Session 10: Growing in Your Community
- Session 11: Graduation Presentation Practice and Peer Review
- Session 12: Graduation - Class graduation ceremony and presentations followed by Q&A.
In addition to these training sessions, acceptance into the Incubator includes several key benefits:
- $1200 stipend for professional business services
- 1 Year trial membership to the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce
- Professional business portrait or product shots
- Spaceworks alumni meet-ups, and events
- Support for grand-openings and other major milestones
- Commercial lease support
INCUBATOR ELIGIBILITY
- Microenterprise (fewer than 5 employees)
- Be a Creative Enterprise
- Tacoma-based business
- Tested product or service in the market or extensive background in the industry of your business. For people who are still in the idea phase, please consider taking our free 4-week workshop series, Business Foundations.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The review process is competitive, and the panel looks for a diversity of businesses. Businesses are evaluated in the following categories:
- Innovation and Creativity 25% - How novel is the product or service?
- Scale and Impact 20% - Does the business activate a physical brick-and-mortar location? Are there multiple employees? Is this a full-time pursuit?
- Financial Need 10% - Is the owner part of a low-to-moderate income household?
- Quality of Product or Service 20% - Is this something people would buy and pay for? Is there a need in the market?
- Community Investment/Involvement 25% - How will the entrepreneur collaborate and contribute to the vibrancy and growth of the community?
Selection Process
Incubator applications are reviewed by a panel that includes Spaceworks Steering Committee members, Spaceworks alumni, and community members. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by October 10, 2026 Spaceworks is committed to recruiting an applicant pool that reflects the diversity of Tacoma. We will only move forward with the selection panel once we achieve that commitment.
Costs
If accepted into the Spaceworks Incubator, there is a sliding scale $200 fee to support our services for small businesses. The services that we offer are valued at around $17,000, and we are grateful to grants and donations to provide those services at a lower cost. We offer a sliding scale and payments plans and will not turn anyone away due to inability to pay. Payment will be requested upon acceptance into the program. There is no cost to apply.
Contacts
For Incubator questions and pre-application reviews (highly recommended!), please contact Jennifer English, Spaceworks Director: JenniferE@tacomachamber.org
IMPORTANT DATES:
Incubator applications due: September 27, 2026 11:59 PM
Notifications sent out by: October 10, 2026
Creative Enterprise Program begins: October 27, 2026 and meets every Tuesday from 6-9pm.