Startup425 Hosts Second Annual Eastside Summit During Seattle Tech Week
- Startup425
- Aug 4
- 2 min read
August 5, 2025 | Bellevue, WA
The Second Annual Startup425 Eastside Summit was a huge success, once again taking place during Seattle Tech Week and bringing together the vibrant startup community of the Eastside and beyond. Entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem leaders gathered for a high-energy day filled with insights, connections, and access to invaluable resources.
Hosted in collaboration with Startup425's partner cities, Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, Redmond, Bothell, and Kirkland, this year’s Summit continued its mission of empowering both tech founders and small business owners with the tools, networks, and support they need to thrive.
Event Highlights
Here’s a quick recap of the day’s standout moments:
🔹 Opening Remarks
We kicked off the event with Jesse R. Canedo, Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Bellevue, who set the tone with an inspiring message about the region’s entrepreneurial momentum and collaborative spirit.
🔹 Meet the Startup425 Partner Cities
Attendees were introduced to the Startup425 coalition of cities, a unique public-sector partnership that’s working together to build a strong, inclusive, and founder-friendly ecosystem across the Eastside.
🔹 Resources for Entrepreneurs Panel
A powerful conversation with representatives from:
Port of Seattle – Lawrence Coleman
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Janie Saco
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Dayo Oyetuga
These experts shared actionable insights and pointed entrepreneurs toward free and low-cost resources available to help them launch and grow.
🔹 Venture Capital Panel
Moderated discussions with Frederik Groce, Rajan Kasetty, and Evan Poncelet unpacked what today’s investors are looking for and how founders can best position themselves for funding in a competitive environment.
🔹 Early-Stage Founders Panel
Three dynamic founders, Komal Kashiramka Bhandari, Anirudh Chandrakant, and Jeisha Grisel Marquez, shared personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and candid advice for others navigating the early days of building a company.
🔹 Accelerator Announcement
We officially announced Cohort 3 of the Startup425 Accelerator, and applications are now open!
Why This Summit Matters
The Eastside Summit is about more than just programming; it’s about building a strong, connected startup ecosystem that bridges founders, investors, support organizations, and city leaders.
Attendees walked away with:
Real connections to potential partners and funders
Clarity on what local and federal resources are available
Inspiration from people who’ve been in the trenches and built businesses from the ground up
If you’re starting or scaling a business in the Eastside region, this is your community.
📝 Apply Now: Startup425 Accelerator Cohort 3
We’re now accepting applications for Cohort 3 of the Startup425 Accelerator. Whether you're a tech founder or small business owner, this program is designed to help you level up with mentorship, community, and resources.
👉 Apply now and be part of the next wave of Eastside entrepreneurship!