PIERCE COUNTY BUSINESS ACCELERATOR

The Pierce County Business Accelerator (PCBA) is designed to provide training for micro businesses and startups, with a focus on BIPOC, veteran, and women entrepreneurs. In partnership with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, the PCBA was developed to grow a healthy economy in Pierce County where typically underserved and minority businesses are provided opportunities and resources to thrive.

In addition to its unprecedented impact in Pierce County, this multi-award-winning program has become an innovative model adopted by other counties across the country. The program focuses on equipping participants with the skills needed to raise external funding, connecting them to the PCBA network, providing financial resources and professional coaching, and empowering them to accelerate their business growth.

Betty Capestany, the program lead and director of Economic Development, believes this unique approach is what made the program so successful.

She says, “What was groundbreaking and different from any business accelerator program out there was we intentionally had the cohorts taught by paid coaches who came from their communities and taught the cohort in their native language… it was truly special.”

The PCBA has also formed strong partnerships with local organizations such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, Korean Women’s Association, Asia Pacific Cultural Center, Mi Centro, and the Tacoma Urban League, who have helped to connect small businesses from their communities with the program and provide additional resources.