Spaceworks Tacoma
Spaceworks Tacoma is a nonprofit, joint initiative of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber that operates an Incubator program for creative entrepreneurs and an Artscapes public art commissioning program, serving Tacoma-based artists, makers, and small business owners since 2010.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersTacoma, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Spaceworks Tacoma does
Spaceworks Tacoma is a nonprofit creative economy organization founded in 2010 and operated as a joint initiative of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber and Chamber Foundation. It operates two core programs: the Incubator, which provides training, workshops, one-to-one coaching, and peer-to-peer support to creative entrepreneurs launching or growing small businesses in Tacoma, and Artscapes, a public art commissioning program that produces murals, window installations (Woolworth Windows), and exhibits to activate underused spaces. The organization historically also ran a coworking site (1120 Pacific, formerly Creative House) that closed on January 31, 2023 after 8 years and more than 35 tenants, and it operates the Kiva Tacoma Hub, which facilitates 0% interest microloans of $1,000–$15,000 to underserved entrepreneurs.
The organization is staffed by 1–10 employees, including a Program Director, Incubator Coordinator / Kiva Advisor, and Public Art Coordinator, supported by a Steering Committee with representation from the City of Tacoma, ArtsWA, WA State Department of Commerce, Hilltop Artists, and local creative entrepreneurs. Funding comes from local foundations, corporate sponsors, individual donations, and city and federal economic development grants (City of Tacoma, Pierce County, HUD, National League of Cities). Since 2010 it has supported 490+ incubator alumni (83% still in business as of the most recent reporting), 900+ artists and creative entrepreneurs, and activated 50+ vacant storefronts, with more than $43,000 paid to artists in 2025.
The underlying operating model is community-led and partnership-driven rather than technology-driven. Distribution is direct, via program applications submitted through the Submittable platform and channeled through the Chamber-hosted main office at 950 Pacific Ave, #300, Tacoma. There is no software product, API, or proprietary technology platform; the primary value-creating mechanics are mentorship, technical assistance, public art commissioning, and access to capital and peer networks. The operating geography is strictly Tacoma, with no international footprint and no stated plans for geographic expansion.
Spaceworks Tacoma firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spaceworks Tacoma
- Legal name
- Spaceworks Tacoma
- Website
- https://spaceworkstacoma.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Spaceworks Tacoma is a nonprofit, joint initiative of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber that operates an Incubator program for creative entrepreneurs and an Artscapes public art commissioning program, serving Tacoma-based artists, makers, and small business owners since 2010.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Spaceworks Tacoma is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tacoma
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Spaceworks Tacoma business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation and Corporate Donations: Spaceworks is a nonprofit supported by local foundations and corporations that provide funding to sustain programs for artists and creative entrepreneurs.
- City and Federal Economic Development Funding: Funding from city economic development dollars and federal programs (e.g., HUD, National League of Cities) that support creative economy initiatives.
- Individual Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and sponsorship packages for local businesses seeking recognition and community engagement.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Spaceworks Tacoma product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spaceworks Tacoma is a nonprofit creative economy organization that delivers training, coaching, and peer support to creative entrepreneurs through its Incubator Program and commissions murals, installations, and window exhibits across Tacoma through its Artscapes Program. The organization also facilitated access to 0% interest Kiva microloans and previously operated an affordable coworking space for artists and makers.
Product overview
Spaceworks Tacoma is a creative economy organization that operates two core programs: the Incubator Program for creative entrepreneurs (providing training, mentorship, and technical assistance) and the Artscapes public art program (commissioning murals, installations, and exhibits). The organization also offers affordable coworking space and facilitates access to capital through Kiva microloans. This is a service-based nonprofit, not a software product platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Incubator Program: A training ground to test new ideas, products, and services with technical assistance and mentorship for creative entrepreneurs
- Artscapes Program
Products and services
- Incubator Program A training ground for creative entrepreneurs to test new ideas, products, and services with technical assistance and mentorship support. Helps Tacoma businesses go from dream to reality through workshops, coaching, and peer support.
- Artscapes Program Commissioned public art initiative that creates temporary murals, installations, and exhibits across Tacoma, including Woolworth Windows, annual Mural Fest, and rapid/permanent public art projects in partnership with local artists and organizations.
- Kiva Microloans Facilitation Facilitation of 0% interest microloans ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 with repayment terms of 1 to 5 years, designed for underserved entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses facing barriers to traditional financing. Delivered via the Kiva Hub at the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber.
Quantifiable outcome
- 83% of Incubator alumni still in business since 2010
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Spaceworks Tacoma
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Spaceworks Tacoma technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Spaceworks Tacoma partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Business Impact NWcoreBusiness Impact NW empowers entrepreneurs through coaching, training and lending. They are a key partner providing micro-enterprise support services to Spaceworks clients.
- KivacoreKiva is an international nonprofit providing 0% interest microloans ($1,000-$15,000) to underserved entrepreneurs. Spaceworks partners with Kiva Hub at Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber to help Pierce County small businesses access capital.
- Make It TacomacoreEconomic development initiative promoting business investment in Tacoma. Partner supporting Spaceworks mission to cultivate creative economy.
- City of Tacoma - Arts & Cultural Vitality DivisioncoreCity division supporting cultural sector through funding programs, public art, professional development, and special programming. Includes Arts and Tacoma Creates branches.
- Washington Lawyers for the ArtssupportingConnects artists and arts organizations with the legal community, making legal resources accessible to artists and arts organizations of all disciplines.
- SCOREsupportingNonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs with 3,000+ years of experience across 62 industries. Provides resources, templates, workshops, and mentoring at Bates Technical College.
- Artist TrustsupportingProvides grants and resources to artists of all disciplines in Washington state with robust website for calls for artists, resources, and job listings.
- The Veterans Incubator for Better Entrepreneurship (VIBE)supportingProvides applied training environment supporting military veterans' entrepreneurial aspirations. Free brown bag workshops hosted at UW Tacoma campus.
- Impact WashingtonsupportingNonprofit strengthening Washington manufacturers with training, consulting, and strategy building services for global competitiveness.
- Tacoma Art ListservsupportingTwo-way email list reaching 1,200+ artists, arts organizations, and art lovers for events, calls to artists, grant opportunities, live/work space info, and jobs.
- Tacoma-Pierce County ChambercoreSpaceworks is a joint initiative of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber & Chamber Foundation. Host organization for Spaceworks Main Office.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Spaceworks Tacoma competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Spaceworks Tacoma social profiles
Digital presenceSpaceworks Tacoma financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spaceworks Tacoma leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Spaceworks Tacoma funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spaceworks Tacoma M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Spaceworks Tacoma
What does Spaceworks Tacoma do?
Spaceworks Tacoma is a nonprofit creative economy organization that delivers training, coaching, and peer support to creative entrepreneurs through its Incubator Program and commissions murals, installations, and window exhibits across Tacoma through its Artscapes Program. The organization also facilitated access to 0% interest Kiva microloans and previously operated an affordable coworking space for artists and makers.
Is Spaceworks Tacoma a public or private company?
Spaceworks Tacoma is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Spaceworks Tacoma founded?
Spaceworks Tacoma was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Spaceworks Tacoma based?
Spaceworks Tacoma is headquartered in Tacoma, United States, in the North America region.
How does Spaceworks Tacoma make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Foundation and Corporate Donations are the primary driver. The others are city and Federal Economic Development Funding and individual Donations and Sponsorships.
Does Spaceworks Tacoma have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spaceworks Tacoma.