Startup425 Foundations Seminars

Have a great idea for a product or business? Not sure where to start? Consider Startup425 Foundations. Held each year in the spring and fall, this program brings together innovators, business advisors, and entrepreneurs for a broad overview of the startup process, from business plan preparation to financing, marketing, and cybersecurity.

Not sure if you can commit to the entire series of seminars? No worries. Sign up for only the sessions most appeal to your interests or needs.

2022 Series

The Startup425 Foundations seminar series delivery format has been modified. Rather than conducting in-person sessions in each of the five participating libraries (Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Redmond, and Renton), the material will be delivered online using webinars.

Descriptions of each webinar and the link to the latest session on YouTube can be found below:

  1. Small Business Planning with the Lean Canvas: Learn how business planning can help you manage the risk of starting a new business. We will show you how to use the lean canvas to put all the pieces together in a compelling way to turn your idea into a new product or service and then into a business. Presented by business breakthrough strategist Dean Van Dyke.
  2. Understanding the Options for Financing Your Small Business: Explore the financing options for starting a new small business. We will help you determine the option that makes the most sense for supplying the capital your business needs. Presented by SBA outreach specialist Janie Sacco.
  3. Risk Management and Cybersecurity:  Learn about the common types of business insurance, how they work and when they might apply to your business. Learn how to guard against cybersecurity threats by safeguarding business and employee devices and data. Presented by cybersecurity expert Jim Bachaud.
  4. Small Business Finance: Knowledge to understand budgeting and learn how to practice good cash flow management in order to keep your small business running.  Presented by accounting expert Simone Bachaud.
  5. Understanding How Marketing Can Help You Launch Your Small Business: An overview of the key marketing activities you need to work on when launching a new business will be covered. They include defining your target market, designing, pricing, and packaging your product or service, and ways to promote your business at launch. Presented by digital media marketing expert Robbin Block.

Dates, Times, and Locations

Date Day Time Topic Format Registration
10/4 Tuesday 600 to 700P Small Business Planning with the Lean Canvas Online Register now!
10/11 Tuesday 600 to 700P Understanding The Options for Financing Your Small Business Online Register now!
10/18 Tuesday 600 to 700P Risk Management and Cybersecurity Online Register now!
10/25 Tuesday 600 to 700P Small Business Finance Online Register now!
11/1 Tuesday 600 to 700P Understanding How Marketing Can Help You Launch Your Small Business Online Register now!

“I really appreciate the speakers sharing their relevant experiences and knowledge and taking their time for us!”

— Spring 2018 Participant

Program Partners

Startup 425 is proud to partner with the community to make our programs possible. We’re not interested in reinventing the wheel—outstanding organizations and program providers are already doing great work on the Eastside. Instead, we convene and collaborate with strong, independent partners to promote entrepreneurship and economic development.