2019
explored the idea of being
a microlender for startups
in Vancouver, WA
the Connected Trust
the
Connected
Trust
your business association
vision
To provide the same access to land, labor, capital, knowledge, and entrepreneurial resources as the dominant industry leaders of America’s history.
Our North Star
Our company recognizes that barriers to success still exist for many populations. We aim to empower entrepreneurs to close the wealth gap.
Our Moonshot Goal
Want to serve 1 billion entrepreneurs to develop their skills for their financial goals.
mission
To serve all businesses that identify as the global majority with resources to start, scale, and sustain their entrepreneurial endeavors through authentic community building, research-driven insights, and comprehensive support including annual conferences, monthly networking events, technical assistance, and strategic partnerships for funding access.
our purpose
As a business association, we serve entrepreneurs from all backgrounds with resources to start, scale, sustain, and sunset their business ventures, while maintaining our foundation in authentic community building and inclusive entrepreneurship.
support small business
Your support becomes more than funding- it becomes a connection to affirm that dreams should be pursued.
Membership
“Where Authentic Entrepreneurs Thrive”
Skip the stuffy networking. Join a community that prioritizes diverse voices, builds real relationships, and helps you scale with real relationships. Connect with business leaders who get it and want you to win.
Because when entrepreneurs win, we all win.
2020
created monthly network
meetings
2021
earned our 501c3 status
and created our first
conference
2025
changed our model to be a business association
2025 conference
Resilience & Revenue: Building Unstoppable Businesses
November 13, 2025
8:00am – 5:00pm
business resources:
Business Development
basically hustling for new deals and connections to make the company bigger and richer.
Entrepreneurship
starting your own business and grinding to make it work
Oregon resources:
Built Oregon – https://www.builtoregon.com/
Consumer product business support Supports, amplifies, and accelerates Oregon’s consumer product entrepreneurs
Oregon Entrepreneurs Network – https://www.oen.org/
Connects entrepreneurs to peers, mentors, funding opportunities, and training
SCORE Portland – https://www.score.org/portlandor
Free business mentoring from experienced executives for Northwestern Oregon
SCORE Central Oregon – https://www.score.org/centraloregon
Free confidential business counseling for Central and Southern Oregon
Adelante Mujeres – https://www.adelantemujeres.org
Nonprofit empowering Latinas to lead through education and business development programs
Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) – https://bbaoregon.org/
Economic development organization striving for sustainable economic equity for Black businesses
Black American Chamber of Commerce (BACC) – https://blackamericanchamber.org/
Portland-based Empowers Black business owners through culturally competent support and advocacy
Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber – https://hispanicmetrochamber.org/
Latino business support Advances economic equity for Latinos through no-cost technical assistance in Spanish and English
NAMC-Oregon – https://www.namc-oregon.org/
NAMC-Oregon is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community-based organization whose mission is to advocate and support design and construction-related businesses owned by People of Color
Partners in Diversity – https://www.partnersindiversity.org/
creating economic prosperity in Oregon and southwest Washington by working with employers to attract, retain, and develop professionals of color and diversity influencers.
Oregon MBDA Business Center – https://businessimpactnw.org/
Supports established Minority Business Enterprises with technical assistance and consulting
Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) – https://oame.org/
Promotes entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities in Oregon & SW Washington
Constructing Hope – https://www.constructinghope.org/
Constructing Hope’s mission is to rebuild the lives of people in our community by encouraging self-sufficiency through skills training and education in the construction industry.
Central Oregon Community College SBDC – https://cocc.edu/departments/center-business-industry/small-business-development-center/
Expert business advice, education, and support for Central Oregon entrepreneurs
Oregon Small Business Development Center Network – https://oregonsbdc.org/
20 regional centers providing one-on-one business advising, training, and resources
Oregon Coast Community College SBDC – https://oregoncoast.edu/sbdc/
Free business advising and cutting-edge business workshops for coastal communities
Portland Community College SBDC – https://www.pcc.edu/professional/small-business/
Combines one-on-one business advising with training programs for Portland metro area
Southern Oregon University SBDC – https://sbdc.sou.edu/
Regular trainings, workshops and seminars for Southern Oregon entrepreneurs
OSU Advantage Accelerator – https://advantage.oregonstate.edu/advantage-accelerator
Transforms pioneering ideas into high-growth businesses through expert guidance
Oregon Bioscience Incubator (OBI) – https://www.otradi.org/
Part of OTRADI 6-month structured mentoring program taking bioscience ideas from lab to market
PIE (Portland Incubator Experiment) – http://www.piepdx.com/
Ongoing experiment connecting established organizations with Portland startup community
Portland State Business Accelerator (PSBA) – https://www.pdx.edu/accelerator/
Supports startups with facilities, programming, and mentors plus PSU connections
VertueLab – https://www.vertuelab.org/
Cleantech accelerator Provides cleantech startups with funding, mentorship, and climate crisis solutions
Oregon Women’s Business Center – https://livelihoodnw.org/owbc
Free business advising, grant opportunities, and networking through SBA partnership
Washington Organizations
SCORE Greater Seattle – https://www.score.org/seattle
Free, confidential small business mentoring from experienced professionals
Washington Women’s Business Center – https://businessimpactnw.org/washington-womens-business-center/
Mentorship and planning for established business owners to refine operations
Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB) – https://www.wcwb.org/
Coaching, training, and technical assistance for women entrepreneurs statewide
ASHBY FAMILY LEAD & Engagement Services – https://www.ashbynonprofit.org/home
We provide individualized support, programming, & services to Individuals with Visible and Invisible Disabilities in Clark and Cowlitz counties.
Black Owned Business Excellence – https://BOBE.WA/
Help Create a More Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Washington.
Denkyem Co-Op – https://denkyemcoop.com/
Denkyem aims to create economic mobility within the Black community by providing affordable lending and personalized business support services.
Hey, Black Seattle! – https://www.heyblackseattle.com/
Hey, Black Seattle is an important community support organization for Black residents of the Pacific Northwest, making the community connections we need to thrive, among the nearly 300,000 Black residents in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap, & Thurston counties in WA state.
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) – https://www.mesopdx.org/
MESO offers a wide range of services, including business classes, consulting, tailored growth planning, access to capital, credit building, and providing a connection to local resources.
Washington MBDA Business Center – https://mbdawashington.com/
Where minority-owned businesses come to grow with specialized development services
Washington African American Chamber of Commerce – https://waacoc.com/
The WAACOC is committed to equity and system change by offering access to grants, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities essential for success in today’s market.
CoMotion Labs – https://comotion.uw.edu/startups-incubation/comotion-labs/
University of Washington incubator Multi-industry incubation with workspaces, learning, and networking without taking equity
Fledge – https://www.fledge.co/
Social impact accelerator 10-week program for conscious companies with up to $20k investment for 6% equity
Jones + Foster Accelerator – https://foster.uw.edu/centers/buerk-ctr-entrepreneurship/buerk-accelerator-program/
University of Washington program Student-led startup program providing up to $25k with no equity taken
Madrona Venture Labs – https://www.madronavl.com/
Venture-backed startup studio Platform turning innovative ideas into scalable tech startups with VC support
Pioneer Square Labs – https://www.psl.com/
Tech startup studio Supports early-stage tech startups with $500k-$2M investments plus mentorship
Techstars Seattle – https://www.techstars.com/
Prominent tech accelerator offering $120k investment plus intensive mentorship
Edmonds College SBDC – https://www.edmonds.edu/programs-and-degrees/workforce-development-resources/entrepreneurship/sbdc.html
Confidential, objective business advice at no cost for Snohomish County entrepreneurs
Highline College SBDC – https://sbdc.highline.edu/
Helping South King County small businesses start, grow, and expand
South Puget Sound Community College SBDC – https://spscc.edu/small-business-development-center
Free business advising, workshops, and market research services
Washington Small Business Development Center Network – https://wsbdc.org/
Network of 40+ expert business advisors helping entrepreneurs start, grow or sell businesses
Western Washington University SBDC – https://sbdc.wwu.edu/
27 offices providing tools, training and resources for small business success
AI2 Incubator – https://www.ai2incubator.com/
Artificial intelligence focused Leverages Allen Institute’s AI expertise for specialized startup support
Cascadia CleanTech Accelerator – https://cascadiacleantech.org/
Clean technology focus 15-week program delivering mentorship and funding for early-stage cleantech startups
Washington Maritime Blue – https://www.maritimeblue.org/
4-month maritime innovation accelerator balancing economic and environmental needs
WA Skill Labor
Veteran Organizations
coming soon…
coming soon…
board members
Chris Magaña
Board Treasurer
Keith Sconiers
Board Secretary
Stefani Coverson
Board Member
biography
Nathan Webster
Nathan’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1999. Though his immediate business didn’t become his vision, in 2004, his faith launched a new path. From 2004 to 2018, Nathan led Dream Big Community Center, guiding over 3,000 students through self-discovery with his Dream Big 101 curriculum, and authored Scared to Be Me for his curriculum text. He built relationships with businesses like Round Table Pizza, Portland Trail Blazers, and Target, securing nearly $200k through grants, sponsorships, and fundraisers. In 2015, he started a nonprofit consulting agency, later evolving into a marketing firm. That year, he also became an adjunct business professor at Clark College, and a year later, oversaw the Clark College Entrepreneur Program.