Built for founders. Backed by Washington's tech ecosystem.

WTIA's startup programs give early-stage founders the community, curriculum, and connections that matter most.

Why WTIA

WTIA sits at the center of Washington's startup ecosystem.

Led by Nick Ellingson (VP) and Koki Sato (Program Manager), our Innovation and Entrepreneurship team plugs founders directly into:

VCs and angel investors
Mentors and advisors
Legal and accounting partners
Enterprise customers

Join a WTIA program and get more than a curriculum. Get the relationships that help startups grow.

Meet Nick Ellingson

NIck Ellingson, VP of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Nick Ellingson is VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) and the go-to human rolodex for anyone navigating the PNW startup and innovation ecosystem. Whether a founder needs an investor introduction, the right mentor, or just a straight answer on where to start, Nick is the first call they make. He has built and led a suite of programs at WTIA to support founders at every stage, and runs international market accelerators that help entrepreneurs from countries like Canada and South Korea develop their go-to-market strategies for entering the US through Seattle. He holds an Executive MBA from Seattle University and brings a background in sales and business development that gives him a practical, founder-friendly perspective on what it actually takes to grow a company.

Founder Cohort

Our signature accelerator for early-stage founders.

WTIA's flagship 4-month program for pre-seed and seed-stage founders.

Hands-on, practical, and built around where you are in your journey.

Cohort-based peer learning
Mentorship from experienced operators and investors
Direct introductions to VCs and service providers
Access to WTIA's statewide ecosystem
Demo Day to showcase your startup

Learn more here.

Founder Cohort+

For startup leaders ready to grow from founder to CEO.

Founder Cohort+ launches in 2026.

An ongoing series for startup leaders navigating the next stage: managing teams, raising capital, and building for sustainable growth.

Curated panels with investors and executives
Workshops on leadership, fundraising, and go-to-market
Peer networking
Continued access to WTIA's full network

Coming soon...

Market Accelerators

A turnkey accelerator for organizations investing in startup growth.

WTIA builds and runs world-class accelerators on your behalf.

You bring the mission and the founders. We bring the curriculum, mentors, network, and execution.

Ideal for organizations supporting founders through economic development, international trade, or grant funding.

500+ startups supported worldwide since 2018
Clients include government agencies, trade organizations, and economic development groups

Let's build your program together.