by David  Stansel-Garner 
 • 
 8 February 2024 
 
 The City of Kirkland is excited to extend an invitation to apply to participate in our upcoming Workshop and Pitch Competition, tailored specifically for small businesses like yours.                                                                                                                        Event Details:                                                                   Application Link:                                     http://tinyurl.com/ypxfz4sp                                                           Date: Every Tuesday from February 20 to March 19                                                           Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM                                                           Venue: Peter Kirk Community Center, Kirkland                                                           Pitch Competition: April 3, 5:30 PM at Kirkland Performing Center                                                                                                                                    Workshops:                                                                                                     Basics of Business                                                           Date: February 20, 2024                                                           Speaker: Cameron Wong and Christian Switzer, MBA                                                           Time: 11 AM-1 PM                                                           Location: Peter Kirk Community Center                                                           This is a crash course in the investment required of local small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs to both compete in a pitch competition and scale their businesses: time, effort, and a little outside help. Specific topics will include basic legalities such as organization, licensing, and taxes; an assessment of skillset, risk, and needed resources; and an overview of the competition, including requirements, schedule, learning deliverables, and prizes.                                                                                                                                     Lean Canvas Business Plan and Market Research                                                           Date: February 27, 2024                                                           Speaker: Jim Lopez, MPA, JD, and Christian Switzer, MBA                                                           Time: 11 AM-1 PM                                                           Location: Peter Kirk Community Center                                                           Attendees will learn how to use Lean Canvas to summarize the primary components of a business plan. Emphasized will be identifying customer segments and competition, branding, revenue forecasting, and sustainable profitability. Extensive Q&A to follow.                                                                                                                                     The Business of Finances for Small Businesses                                                           Date: March 5, 2024                                                           Speaker: Stephanie Morris, CPA                                                           Time: 11 AM-1 PM                                                           Location: Peter Kirk Community Center                                                           This session will cover the tax, audit, and accounting side coupled with the funding and budgetary side, respectively. The reporting requirements, risks, and common missteps of the small business owner will be reviewed so that attendees learn the value of recordkeeping and accurate financial statements. In addition, attendees will learn how to calculate, plan for, and communicate initial and ongoing capital funding needs to afford them their greatest opportunity for successful launch and growth.                                                                                                                                     Marketing and More                                                           Date: March 12, 2024                                                           Speaker: Startup425                                                           Time: 11 AM-1 PM                                                           Location: Peter Kirk Community Center                                                           Presented by Startup425, attendees will learn how to communicate their vision with potential stakeholders, including customers, lenders, and judges. Entrepreneurs are the consummate do-it-yourselfers: focused, ambitious, resolute. Yet a common challenge remains the “sell”…the effective influence of a target audience toward a desired outcome. Branding strategies, sales techniques, and presentation how-to’s will all be covered.                                                                                                                                     Preparing to Pitch                                                           Date: March 19, 2024                                                           Speaker: Startup425                                                           Time: 11 AM-1 PM                                                           Location: Peter Kirk Community Center                                                           Need assistance with your pitch? In-person coaching sessions will be available to contestants to help refine their presentation for the live pitch in front of the panel of judges.                                                                                                                                     Live Pitch Finale!                                                           Date: April 3, 2024                                                           Time: Doors Open at 5:30 PM, Competition starts at 6                                                           Location: Kirkland Performance Center                                                           The Live Pitch will be judged by a panel of three judges in a competition for the $5,000 grand prize awards. All contestants will be required to give their pitch in person.                                                                                                 Our engaging workshops at the Peter Kirk Community Center will cover essential topics to fuel your business growth, including:                                                      Pitch Competition: Participants will have the chance to showcase their businesses at the Kirkland Performing Center, featuring three-minute pitches across three categories: People’s Choice, Start-Up, and Expansion. The top finalists in each category are eligible for prizes of $5,000                                                                   Registration: Small businesses across all industries are invited to register online through                                              open forms                                  . The limit is 43 businesses, and applicants will be selected by a random generator. Accepted participants will be notified by February 16, 2024.                                                      This event aims to foster growth, innovation, and collaboration within Kirkland's entrepreneurial community. We believe your business has the potential to shine in this dynamic environment.                                                                   To apply fill out this                                              form                                               . For more information or questions, please reach out to Christian Switzer at                                              cswitzer@kirklandwa.gov                                  .                                                      We look forward to your participation and the opportunity to witness the growth of your business!                                                                   If these dates and times do not work for you, reach out to the                                              Renton Downtown Partnership                                               about their upcoming Workshops and Pitch Competition which is at a later date with evening classes.