Published June 2005

Tech-based small businesses
to benefit from partnership

SCBJ Staff

The Seattle District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Washington Technology Center recently announced a partnership enabling the two groups to better reach — and serve — Washington state’s technology community.

While the SBA and WTC have been collaborating for some time, providing support and resources to entrepreneurial technology ventures through the Small Business Innovation Research Program, the Strategic Alliance Memorandum recently signed by the two agencies creates a wider network of services to technology-based small businesses.

“Entrepreneurial businesses are one of the strongest contributors to Washington’s economic growth and a major source of new jobs in our state,” said Lee Cheatham, executive director of the WTC. “Working together, WTC and SBA are able to reach more of these young companies and provide greater access to the support and resources they need to grow and be successful.”

The partners agreed to cross promote the programs of each agency and to promote small-business development, including access to capital, technical assistance, women’s business and advocacy. This outreach will be statewide, the agencies said, stimulating economic development in rural and urban areas.

“For more than 20 years the Washington Technology Center has been helping small-business owners develop new technologies and find markets for their products and services,” said Nancy Gilbertson, director of SBA’s Seattle District Office. “At the same time, the SBA has been providing capital and counseling for small technology-based firms.

“Working more closely together to share resources and identify mutual clients will build stronger companies, brighter futures for our state’s work force, and a more robust, globally competitive economy for Washington state,” she said.

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