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Apply to Apply to Spaceworks Incubator

Apply to the Spaceworks Incubator 

Spaceworks is seeking creative entrepreneurs who want to grow a thriving business and make a positive impact in Tacoma. Since 2010, the Spaceworks Incubator has provided relevant and meaningful business training for first-time business owners, ambitious creative professionals, and folks passionate about making Tacoma a great place to live and work. We serve as a training ground to test new ideas, products, and services with a safety net of technical assistance and mentorship.   

Cohort Training 

The Business Planning Cohort is the backbone of our Incubator and results in a formal business plan. Participants meet everyTuesday 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.
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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)
  • 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? Has there been a negative impact from COVID-19?
  • 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 March 20, 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: February 28, 2026 11:59 PM 

Notifications sent out: March 20, 2026 

Business Planning Cohort begins: April 7, 2026 and meets every Tuesday from 6-9pm. The first and last three class sessions will be in person. All other sessions will be held virtually.

Spaceworks Tacoma