Seattle is truly a GREAT place to build a startup, but most of the early-stage entrepreneurs we speak to are not aware of the local resources that are available to help them.

With applications for the Seattle Founder Institute coming to a close, we are excited to re-release the updated Seattle Startup Ecosystem Canvas, which is currently in V2 below! It was developed by the Seattle Founder Institute and local leaders Aswin Pranam, Raghav Nair, and Robert Le. Many Founder Institute Mentors also contributed.

More input is needed, so please leave your comments on this collaborative Google document, and it will be considered for the next update!

Below you can also find a text synopsis of the infographic:

Startup Stages

There is no one right way to build a technology company, but for the sake of simplicity we have outlined a basic, common, sequential framework.

1. Idea Stage

This is where new entrepreneurs get inspired, learn best practices, develop skills, validate ideas, and begin to build their team and product.

A. Inspire

Startup Media: Centralized local information, listings, and news. (i.e. startup blogs/ publications/ lists/ FB groups/ newsletters)

Inspirational Events: Open, inclusive, beginner startup events (i.e. Startup Weekend, idea fairs, and inspirational meetups)

B. Educate

Best Practices: Beginner knowledge-sharing events. (i.e. beginner events that serve to educate more than inspirate)

Training & Feedback: Skill & Idea development. (Ex. bootcamps and comprehensive training programs)

C. Validate

Team Formation: Resources for teaming up. (i.e. events or other resources that facilitate early-stage recruitment and cofounder matching)

Build First Product: Hackathons & resources to build. (i.e. hackathons and other builder-focused events and resources)

2. Launch Stage

In this stage, entrepreneurs establish and formalize the company, develop the product, get feedback from customers, and prepare for the next step.

A. Start

Establish: Law firms & banks for startups

Workspace: Co-working and flexible workspaces (note: “official” office space goes in 3.1.a. Infrastructure)

B. Develop

Formalize: Accounting, development and HR for early-stage startups.

Prepare for Seed: Incubators and advanced mentorship. (i.e. advanced knowledge sharing, later stage events and resources for startup teams)

C. Launch

Seed Accelerators: Seed funding mentor programs (Techstars-style programs that provide funding)

Pitch & Demo: Show local startups for investment (i.e. demo days for companies seeking seed investment)

3. Growth Stage

Here, a startup proves their utility, receives recognition, and scales up. This usually requires funding, angels, VCs, and ways to connect them to startups.

A. Recognition

Investor Networking: Connect professional investors with founders. (i.e. events or groups that facilitate connections with professional investors)

Major Media: Mainstream local business press. (i.e. major local or regional publications that frequently champion local businesses)

B. Funding

Angels / Micro-VCs: Seed-stage investors

Venture Capitalists: Series A and beyond

C. Growth

Infrastructure: Office space, HR, local business insurance. (i.e. office space/ HR/ insurance providers for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)

Expansion: Growth accelerators/consultants. (i.e. programs and business consultants for capital-rich companies to grow and scale)

4. Success Stories

Successful homegrown companies that have raised significant institutional funding, employ a large workforce, or have achieved liquidity.

Supporters

To facilitate the steps, every ecosystem needs strong supporters.

1. Evangelists

Successful local founders who lead the ecosystem & frequently mentor newbies. (i.e. Local leaders who have taken a leadership position, speak at a lot of startup events, mentor all the programs, etc)

Bob Crimmins
Chaks Appalabathula
Chaya Jadhav
Chris DeVore
Dan Shapiro
Dave Parker
Diane Njam
Gary Rubens
Glenn Kelman
Gillian Muessig
Heather Redman
Janis Machala
Jaren Schwartz
Joe Walin
John Cook
John Sechrest
Josh Holmes
Josh Maher
Karen Rosenzweig
Katie Chase
Kevin Croy
Marc Nager
Marcelo Calbucci
Maria Dykstra
Mark Hancock
Martina Welke
Matt Dyor
Mukund Mohan
Peter Chee
Pradeep UN
Rand Fishkin
Ravi Gadde
Rebecca Lovell
Rudy Garde
Saibaba Talluri
Sanjay Puri
Sarah Bird
Scott Berkun
Shauna Causey
Srikanth Kasam
Tamara Adlin
T.A. McCann
Yi-Jian Ngo
Yoli Chisholm

2. Government

Public organizations that facilitate local economic development

3. Talent

Major local business or tech universities and employers that attract and retain local talent.

Local Universities (universities with prominent technical or business programs)

Local Employers (Major technical employers, like Microsoft or Google or large local companies, with large local offices)

The Startup Ecosystem Canvas project seeks to provide local entrepreneurs with a clear list of resources for every stage of their startup journey, and outline a basic framework for communities to map their ecosystem.

Learn more about the Startup Ecosystem Canvas here, and if you have any comments on this canvas, please contribute to this collaborative Google document.

Nov 16, 2018

Seattle Startup Guide: A Giant List Of Resources for Entrepreneurs

Startup Stages