What does it mean to have a truly inclusive workplace? And how do you cultivate an inclusive culture where all employees feel safe to bring their whole, authentic selves to work while performing at peak productivity? In this enlightening episode of The C-Suite Chronicles, we delve deep into these questions and more around workplace inclusivity and its profound impact on…

Generative AI. If you haven’t heard about this technological marvel, you might be living under a rock. It seems to be everywhere. Conversations around generative AI exploded last year when ChatGPT came to market, and the technology has garnered headlines and exponential momentum ever since.  In this episode of the C-Suite Chronicles, we delve deep into the world of generative…

The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) Founder Cohort Program is now in its 10th iteration. Thirty-three companies from across Washington state have been selected for the newest Founder Cohort class, further strengthening the state’s position as a global leader in the technology sector.  What: The virtual program – part of the WTIA Startup Program – helps seed-stage startups grow and…

Many companies are still making slow progress in hiring diverse talent, including women. Although a recent IBM study found that there were 12% more women in C-Suite roles and sitting on boards of directors, the corporate world still has a long way to go when it comes to hiring and cultivating female leadership. Women are underrepresented in all roles, including…

The United States has long been a beacon of opportunity for foreign nationals aspiring to work at innovative and cutting-edge tech startups. However, the journey to securing employment in the U.S. and obtaining the necessary visas is fraught with challenges. Immigration reform has emerged as a critical issue that directly affects foreign job seekers and the U.S. startup ecosystem.  One…

Quantum information systems (QIS) have emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century. It has the potential to revolutionize various industries, from healthcare and finance to cybersecurity and logistics. As the quantum landscape continues to evolve, technology leaders must pay attention to the implications for the future workforce. Talent shortages abound in tech, and quantum is…

Thanks to an introduction from the WTIA Advanced Technology Cluster (ATC) about a year and a half ago, Code Fellows and American Apprenticeships Work (AAW) are partnering to provide more accessible and inclusive pathways to careers in the tech industry. The collaboration combines the expertise of Code Fellows, an intensive technical academy, with AAW's apprenticeship model, which offers job training…

Quantum computing, a revolutionary technology that harnesses the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, has the potential to transform various industries by solving complex problems exponentially faster than classical computers. As the race for global quantum supremacy intensifies, stakeholders from academia, innovation centers, and companies across the United States are actively working to cultivate a vibrant domestic quantum computing ecosystem to…

Company leaders often face tremendous pressure—to successfully develop groundbreaking products and take them to market—while also meeting high expectations from investors, customers, and stakeholders. One of the biggest challenges small business leaders must deal with in this high-pressure environment is delivering on those expectations while attempting to build and maintain a healthy company culture.   Is it possible to strike a…

According to McKinsey & Company, quantum computing has the potential to change the world. In a recent article, the firm noted, “Quantum computing, an emerging technology that uses the laws of quantum mechanics to produce exponentially higher performance for certain types of calculations, offers the possibility of major breakthroughs across sectors. Investors also see these possibilities: Funding of start-ups focused…

When you hear the word networking, you might think of it as making a connection on LinkedIn, commenting on a colleague’s tweet on Twitter, or glad-handing at an industry conference or local Chamber mixer. To be sure, those are acts of networking, but they don’t equate to true, genuine connection.  All humans long for connection; Covid showed us that we…

Quantum computing technologies are growing rapidly, and their applications are far-reaching. Specifically, quantum computing is poised to deliver a number of innovations across a variety of applications in the near future, from reducing manufacturing costs to supporting improvements and adaptations in the agriculture, automotive, and defense industries. According to the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) report, Quantum Information Sciences (QIS)…

Washington state is a leader in Quantum Information Sciences (QIS). With a rich ecosystem consisting of an established innovation hub, exemplary academic institutions, and home-grown technologies that are driving significant economic growth, and as home to the headquarters of major technology companies investing heavily in QIS, Washington continues to be a catalyst for forward progress in this emerging technology. Recently,…

Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA), a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities, has announced the 32 startups selected for the organization’s Founder Cohort Program. What: The virtual program – part of the WTIA Startup Program – helps seed-stage startups grow and scale over the course of six months by following a roadmap…

Is it more difficult to raise early-stage venture capital today than it was a few years ago? That depends on who you ask, what stage your company is in, your narrative, your timing, and how you frame the conversation. Obviously, myriad factors go into fundraising, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.  Pitchbook predicts that venture investments into startups will decline…

As part of its ongoing efforts to support a thriving startup ecosystem in Washington state and help next-generation companies expand from overseas to the United States, WTIA launched its first-ever Australian startup accelerator in late January.  The accelerator, known as the Investment New South Wales USA Software-as-a-Service Going Global program, is a partnership between WTIA and Investment New South Wales.…

Leading a startup is a tenuous balancing act. On any given day, you’re dealing with multiple projects, deadlines, and tasks that demand your attention. Starting and running a business can be rewarding and exhilarating, but it can also be lonely and grueling, with long hours. Managing the highs and lows and maintaining your sanity is challenging, especially in the early…

Founder Cohort 8 is now open for new applicants Since 2018, the WTIA Founder Cohort Program has provided hands-on guidance, support, and community for more than 180 early-stage startups, helping them grow and scale over the course of a six-month period. Founder Cohort 7 is currently underway, and an eighth is set to kick off in September. There are myriad…

If you’ve been involved with WTIA in any capacity but still haven’t joined, you’ve probably heard a lot about our membership program. With good reason—WTIA membership offers great benefits for tech and non-tech companies, and we’re proud to support and strengthen our community by providing access to opportunities that can help our members thrive. What Is WTIA Membership?  WTIA offers…

The seventh WTIA Founder Cohort has been selected and includes 30 tech startups from across Washington State. Part of the WTIA Startup Program, the virtual Founder Cohort program reflects our mission to foster a robust, equity-centered technology sector that empowers thriving communities in Washington State and beyond. As such, the Founder Cohort helps seed-stage startups grow and scale in a 6-month timeframe.…

The WTIA Founder Cohort is humming on all cylinders. To date, a total of five cohorts have graduated since the program’s 2018 inception, with the sixth set to graduate in January 2022. WTIA is currently accepting applications for the seventh Founder Cohort, slated to kick off in early 2022. The premise behind the Founder Cohort is to help early-stage companies…

Startup accelerator focuses on technology innovation to ensure safe reopening and resiliency of tourism in the PNW after Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the Pacific Northwest’s tourism, performing arts, travel, and hospitality (TPATH) industries. The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER), a public/private nonprofit organization, has launched the Congregate Accelerator, a program that brings together industry, government,…

October has been a busy month for the WTIA Startup Programs. WTIA launched its fourth Korean Startup Market Accelerator in collaboration with the Korean Innovation Center of Silicon Valley, started a pilot Startup Accelerator program with Taiwan Tech Arena, and wrapped up its third Canadian Startup Market Accelerator in partnership with the Canadian Consulate and Trade and Invest British Columbia.…

Further fueling the growth of a thriving technology ecosystem in Washington state, WTIA announced the launch of its third Canadian Startup Market Accelerator program last month. A partnership between WTIA, Global Affairs Canada, and Trade and Invest British Columbia, the Accelerator will prepare 10 business-to-business software-as-a-service (B2B SaaS) companies for expansion into the U.S. market. The eight-week, virtual Canadian Startup…

We’re excited to announce the 30 Washington tech startups we’ve selected for our sixth Founder Cohort Program — our biggest class to date. The virtual program — part of the WTIA Startup Program — aligns with our mission to build a strong technology sector in a thriving community in Washington State and beyond. In that vein, the Founder Cohort helps…

Launching a startup can be a lonely venture. Founders are often faced with serious challenges, including fundraising, hiring, creating a board of directors, learning how to market their business to prospective customers, and more. Without access to expertise and support from others who have “been there, done that,” it can be difficult and overwhelming for founders to navigate all the…

In business, there’s no such thing as a local market anymore. To be relevant and competitive, tech companies must be prepared to serve a global marketplace.  That is the premise behind the Washington Industry Technology Association (WTIA) International Accelerator Program. The idea of the program is to foster collaboration with technology startups in other countries to help them prepare to…

We’re excited to announce the 22 Washington tech startups that have been selected for our fifth Founder Cohort Program. The virtual program — part of the WTIA Startup Program — helps seed-stage startups grow and scale over the course of 6 months by following a roadmap designed to guide them through their next milestones as they navigate increasing revenue, securing…

In fall of 2018, Brian Deller was selected to be one of the 24 people who made up WTIA’s first Founder Cohort. The year-long program brings together Washington-based venture-scale startups to learn, develop, and “best of all, become their own team of resources and partnerships that last for many years to come,” according WTIA CEO Michael Schutzler. Since joining the…

Whether your goal is to increase awareness of a new service, sell more products, or expand an email-marketing list, paid search and paid social ad campaigns can be a powerful tool for accomplishing large and small business goals. There a few things business leaders and marketers need to keep in mind when implementing paid digital ad campaigns. Start with an…

Conferences present a valuable opportunity for company execs to build relationships with reporters while contributing to conversations within the industry. All benefits aside, coordinating those meetings can seem daunting and is often met with some common questions. Here’s what you need to know before scheduling on-site conference interviews. Who should I reach out to? Many events have a list of…

We’re excited to announce the 24 Washington tech startups we’ve selected for our new Founder Cohort Program. The program — part of the WTIA Startup Club — aligns with our effort to support entrepreneurs in Washington’s booming tech industry. The Founder Cohort Program will help these 24 venture-scale startups develop over the course of one year. Each startup is headquartered…

Social media engagement requires an ongoing cycle of research, planning, execution, reporting and adjustment. Whether you’re just beginning to engage on social media, or are pivoting to a new strategy, it’s important to keep these best practices in mind: Conduct a social media audit. Evaluate how and on which platforms your company is active. Research your target audience. Understanding how…

When companies consider data as a PR tool, many think conducting a robust survey is the only way. While surveys are great for targeting specific audiences and to investigate particular trends, they can be a substantial line item in a modest marketing budget and require significant internal resources to get off the ground. Proprietary data is another option companies can…

Regardless of what your current role is in the business world, the odds are that you’re going to have to eventually work with a software development team. Whether you’re a founder, a product manager, or a project manager, you’re going to have to develop a comfort level with tech. Luckily, that’s not as difficult as you may think, provided you…

I’ve spoken with over 400 founders in the past two years, and I've asked all of them about their challenges and needs as part of a larger strategy for WTIA to deliver more value to startups. As I had these conversations, there was a common thread that persisted: the greatest need was for connections - connections to investors, connections to…

When the average person imagines an entrepreneur, they likely envision the most popular and successful thought leaders of our time—Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and other visionaries that have redefined our culture. They don’t image the entrepreneur as a cash-strapped professional sweating over spreadsheets and laying awake at night wondering what the next day will bring. Nevertheless, this is the reality…

Getting in the news is no easy task, especially when you have a shortage of company announcements to share. One tactic to supplement awareness during a not-so-newsworthy time for your business is to execute a thought leadership program on behalf of your company stakeholders. Outside of generating a cadence of awareness, thought leadership has additional benefits like establishing a consistent…

I recently gave a talk to a group of entrepreneurs on what it takes to have an effective web presence in today’s market. The topic generated a lot of interest, so I thought it would be helpful to share it with a broader audience. In a nutshell, I will be covering four focus areas that are vital for your web…

I joined Amazon in 2010, just as the company began blitz-scaling. During this growth period I was an Amazon Bar Raiser. My job as Bar Raiser was to help teams across the company decide which job candidates met Amazon's famously high standards. Here are some of the most important things I took away from that experience. Make Hiring a Core Competency A…

Below are answers to questions regarding various stages of startup companies: 1. I am in the early stages of starting my business. What basic legal issues do I need to be aware of at this time, and where should I start? Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging undertaking. Begin by reviewing existing agreements you may have with…

In the two years I’ve been working with early-stage startups on fundraising and business development, I’ve noticed a question that comes up consistently among founders: Independent of what they’re working on, they ask when it’s time to start raising seed funding. I understand the impulse. Aside from whatever that money might enable them to do, many founders see their first…

In 2017, startups raised over $5.6 billion through Initial Coin Offerings (ICO’s). These were highly speculative offerings. Many entrepreneurs launched ICO’s with little more than a white paper describing what they planned to build. Unsurprisingly, nearly half of these offerings collapsed by early 2018. These figures, combined with many fraudulent offerings, attracted the attention of regulators around the globe. In…

In my work with startups, raising investment is one of the biggest challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Not only are securities laws complicated, but many entrepreneurs struggle to find investors. When negotiating with investors, limited funding options can result in unfavorable terms. This articles goes in to detail on how you can accept investment from any Washington state resident and set…

As the creator of Founders Live, Nick Hughes is a successful entrepreneur with business achievements in social media, digital payments, and e-commerce. In addition to creating the global entrepreneur network Founders Live, Nick stays busy as an advisor to numerous startups and occasionally takes positions in sales or biz dev roles if needed. Previously, he founded the mobile payment startup…