Many entrepreneurs have sketched out the next ‘great idea’ on the back of a napkin, but the lack of business expertise and financial resources dooms their bold idea so it remains just a dream.
But all is not lost. Just look at Rebooked, a mobile appointment app company that took advantage of Washington’s startup community, competing in Startup Weekend in Spokane last April. Their idea, which allows service professionals the chance to rebook appointments that were canceled or had no-shows, gained the attention of angel investors. Eight months later, the app was launched and is rapidly taking off.
One of the Department of Commerce’s newest initiatives is Startup 365 Washington which is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses thrive in this state, knowing that they just could become the next Amazon or Starbucks. Every year the state coordinates Global Entrepreneurship Week, which gives entrepreneurs a forum in all 39 counties a chance to share their new ideas with investors and other interested parties.
Washington is ranked by Bloomberg as the #1 Most Innovative State and ranked #3 for Access to Capital by CNBC’s 2012 Best States for Business. A great idea never finds its place in the market without funding and Washington State has a reputation for bringing great ideas successfully to market. Our pioneering spirit and culture of collaboration makes Washington State a great place for businesses to get their start.
As the founders of Rebooked discovered, starting a business outside of major metro areas in Washington State does not hinder the success of a great business idea.
Read more about Rebooked in the Journal of Business.
Go to StartupWashington to learn more about what the State of Washington is doing to help entrepreneurs succeed.