KEDA Wins WSMA Microbusiness Grant funding to support Matchstick Lab Microbusiness Accelerator program

OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) has approved $2 million in small grants to 81 nonprofit organizations to help business owners strengthen their business skills, innovate and access financing to create jobs and grow local economies in every region of the state.  

This program is funded through the Washington State Department of Commerce. Grant awardees include Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDO) or Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESO), Small Business Resiliency Partners (SBRN), community development financial institutions, economic development districts, chambers of commerce, and nonprofit organizations that serve Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), veterans, people with disabilities, returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and other very small businesses.

The purpose of these grants is to extend business training programs, technical assistance and financing support to very small businesses throughout rural and urban communities in Washington, especially those owned by people who are members of historically marginalized communities. These programs will serve small businesses, especially those with five or fewer employees. These businesses include childcare, small scale manufacturing, tourism, home building/construction, agriculture and food, clean materials/clean tech, creative economy and the arts, and many others.

WSMA helps nonprofit business technical assistance providers throughout Washington with training, small grants, networking and support with resource coordination via Evergreen BizLink.

For more information, contact Lisa Smith, WSMA Executive Director at (360) 480-8048 or lisa@wamicrobiz.org.

Matchstick Lab returns! 

KEDA is thrilled that our application to the 2024 WSMA grant has been approved! This funding supports the return of  Matchstick Lab Micro Business Accelerator.  Turn-around time for grant applications is very brief  with applications being accepted now through February 28th. 

 APPLY NOW!

Fourteen startup founders and small business owners who are ready to take their business plan to the next level will benefit from:

• A supportive peer community
• 8-week intensive business plan training program
• Hands-on workshops on storytelling, public speaking, and building strong business credit
• Monthly Lunchtime Lighting Talks
• Personalized mentoring and technical guidance
• Curated introductions and networking opportunities
• Marketing assets, including professional headshots
• The opportunity to win a custom business intro video