ACCELERATOR FAQs

Step 1. Please fill out the WMarketplace Accelerator Application. Step 2. If you are accepted into the program, we will send you a link to the Participation Agreement and information on cohort start dates/timing. Step 3. Once the Participation Agreement is signed, we will send you an invoice and your business will be ready to grow with the next cohort!

For participants in the US program, the cost for each business to participate is $1500. This program includes: 6 weeks of instructor-led workshops, each 2 hours 6 months of mentoring and support from the start of the cohort A dedicated, private Slack channel for quick communication, community building and connection A dedicated resources page on WMarketplace website for session recordings, participation guides, tools shared in class, mentorship schedules and WMarketplace vetted business resources.

If your business is located in Tumwater, Lacey or Olympia, Washington, the Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB) offers full scholarships to screened and approved clients. Please reach out to info@wcwb.org for more information and to apply. If you are participating in one of our export-focused programs, please reach out about information on the STEP Grant program that can offset a portion of the Accelerator fee. Please email Christina@WMarketplace.com for more information.

No. Unlike other accelerator programs, The WMarketplace Accelerator is a flat-fee program of $1500 and does not take any ownership or equity in your business. We are here to support women entrepreneurs who want to grow online!

WMarketplace Inc is an ecommerce accelerator program by women entrepreneurs, for women entrepreneurs. We are dedicated to supporting female business owners worldwide with practical tools, guidance and expert advice in growing their online business. Participants join expert-led real-time ecommerce workshops within a cohort setting with other women entrepreneurs to empower women business owners in successfully selling their products online and achieving sustainable growth wherever they are.

Hundreds of women-owned businesses trained in online growth strategies Practical, cutting edge tools and techniques designed to grow your online sales. Extensive expertise in ecommerce, with a focus on empowering women entrepreneurs Comprehensive instructor-led ecommerce workshops covering essential topics Personalized support, mentorship, and guidance from industry professionals Networking and collaboration opportunities within a supportive community including a dedicated, private Slack channel for each cohort. Demonstrated commitment to economic development through ecommerce entrepreneurship Trackable ROI using ecommerce analytics Effective partnerships with local, state, and national public and private organizations dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs and economic development

The application process normally takes 2-3 weeks from the time you apply until you receive acceptance into the program. Once you have been assigned to a cohort, a program start date will be communicated. Program workshops are once a week for 6 weeks. Each weekly session is two hours. Coaching and mentoring will continue for six months after the six week sessions are completed.

Following is an outline of the 6 sessions of instructor-led ecommerce workshops: Week 1: Getting Started with Brand Clarity Create/Refining you business' value proposition Identifying your ideal customer Week 2: A Successful Blueprint for Ecommerce What can you control: Images, SEO, product descriptions Optimizing your product descriptions and images Week 3: Breaking Through the Noise Online Strategies to tell your story Tools and methods to stand out Leveraging social media Building your brand Week 4: Sales Channel Analysis Evaluating online channels Choosing the right channels for your business Are you ready to scale? Week 5: Customer Experience Customer service trends and policies Packaging and labeling* are critical The unboxing experience and customer retention Logistics support Import considerations (for global program) *Additional content for Global Program Week 6 (For Export-Focused Accelerator): Introduction to Exporting Taking advantage of state and federal resources Passive versus strategic exporting Finding and evaluation international markets Shipping and logistics Optimizing your online store for international customers Week 6 (For Domestic Accelerator): Business overview / putting it all together Business planning & finance Pricing and profit Inventory Shipping Taxes

Cohorts typically launch quarterly.

Cohort sizes range from a minimum of 10 to a maximum of 20 businesses. Forming community among the participants and the ability to ask questions of our expert facilitators is key to our success so we keep cohorts small.