WTIA Founder Cohort 12 Launches with a Day-Long Kick-Off Event

Founder Cohort 12 kicked off on January 28th with a full day of workshops and networking at the Fenwick offices in downtown Seattle. Founders were able to collaborate face-to-face and connect with the mentors who’ll work with them throughout the program. “This was our first in-person kickoff since pre-COVID and it was amazing to see all the energy and the connections between founders already starting,” noted Nick Ellingson, Director of Products and Startup Ambassador at WTIA. It was a sentiment echoed by many in attendance.

Kicking Off Cohort 12 at Fenwick

“Cohort 12’s kickoff was filled with such energy and enthusiasm,” remarked Kat Duncan, a partner at Fenwick. “It was great to see startup founders connect and create a foundation for support on their startup journeys. We’re excited to continue our collaboration with WTIA and the Founder Cohort Program, which are cornerstones of Seattle’s startup ecosystem.”

At the kick-off, founders engaged in a variety of activities designed to build camaraderie and lay a firm foundation for their startups. These sessions helped to establish connections that will support them throughout the six-month program.

A clear founder favorite of the day was the founder panel. Moderated by Kat Duncan of Fenwick, successful cohort alumni M.H. Lines (Cohort 1, Stack Moxie), Pradnya Desh (Cohort 4, Advocat), and Kenny Lee (Cohort 7, Aigen), shared their experiences on everything from ideation to fundraising.

Another favorite was the goal-setting workshop, which helped participants clarify their ambitions and chart a course for the future. This exercise aimed to align their vision with actionable steps they can take towards success. Jonathan Cook, Founder and CEO of Trapezoid AI told us, “Coming out of this event, I felt so energized, the next day I worked dawn to dusk and put that energy into tackling the biggest and hairiest tasks on my plate—which I’d planned to spread over weeks.”

The day concluded with a happy hour hosted by Fenwick, after which the founders made their way to the Yard House for a networking dinner. The table was buzzing with all the conversation as founders shared their experiences and learnings from the day.

“As a first-time female founder, I’m immensely grateful to be part of WTIA Founder Cohort 12. Connecting with Seattle’s incredible innovators and alumni has opened doors, empowered me, and created a priceless environment where passionate founders support one another.”  
- Anya Smith, Founder and CEO of Selffull

Helping Startups Launch and Grow

The WTIA Founder Cohort program empowers startups by providing the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive. Our focus is not just on growing businesses but nurturing a community that will bolster the tech sector with innovative solutions and equitable practices.

The Founder Cohort Mission

Our mission is to upskill and train the next generation of founders while creating structures for them to build relationships with each other and create a cycle of founders helping founders. Through tailored educational tracks, mentorship, and collaboration, we connect founders with industry leaders and a network of peers, fostering invaluable learning and growth opportunities. Our focus on equity and inclusion ensures that all entrepreneurs, regardless of background, have the chance to succeed. The incorporation of in-person sessions and more personalized guidance will further equip startups to overcome challenges and achieve their business goals.

The Program to Date

Since its inception, the Founder Cohort program has supported 311 startups during the challenging early stages of entrepreneurship. The program structure includes workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities, providing startups with a comprehensive toolkit for success. To date, cohort alumni have raised over $350M combined with 80% still in business or successfully exiting.

Program Improvements

The addition of in-person sessions like January’s kick-off event is just one enhancement we’ve made to our programming. “I’m excited about the new format,” Ellingson commented, coming out of the kick-off day at Fenwick. “It’s clear that more events like these will be a valuable addition to our programming.”

While most of the program is virtual, face-to-face interactions can be vital in building meaningful relationships, and these sessions provide an opportunity for founders to form deeper connections both with each other and with program mentors. With that in mind, programming now includes more hands-on mentorship opportunities, both in-person and virtually. By working closely with experienced mentors, participants can get feedback specific to the unique challenges of their startup.

With Cohort 12, we also introduced four educational tracks catering to different stages of the startup journey. These tracks—Product, Growth, Financing, and Business Fundamentals—offer specialized content for each startup to receive the support most relevant to them.

These changes were guided by feedback from interviews with alumni and mentors, with the intent that the Founder Cohort program continues to be an indispensable resource for startups looking to grow and thrive as Washington’s technological and economical landscape develops.

Looking Ahead: The Next Six Months for Cohort 12

The program is structured into three phases, each building on the last to provide a deep dive into essential startup topics. From product development and financing to revenue models and first hires, each phase is designed to prepare founders for those early-stage decisions that will shape the trajectory of their startup.

One highlight of the in-person sessions will be a day-long event led by Dave Parker, CEO of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and author of Trajectory: Startup – Ideation to Product/Market Fit. Known affectionately as “Dave Day,” founders will learn from Dave Parker’s experience in scaling and funding startups. He’s been where the cohort is now—five times, in fact—and has experience as a founder, operator, board member, and advisor, across different industries and stages. Dave Day promises intensive (but fun) workshops, mentoring, and meaningful networking.

As the program progresses, founders will have the opportunity to showcase their progress during a Demo Day, a chance to present their businesses to an audience, including potential investors and partners. This event is a culmination of their hard work and a launchpad for future success. We can’t wait to see how these startups grow over the next six months!

Thank you to our sponsors who make this program possible: