Ignite WA brings business and community leaders together advance small business digital equity

BELLEVUE, Wash. - May 4, 2016 - PRLog -- Ignite WA, in partnership with leading industry and government sponsors are hosting a business round table to accelerate the formation of an influential digital equity bill supporting small business and start-ups in Washington State.

While digital economy is providing unprecedented opportunities for business, both locally and globally, many businesses are simply not prepared to compete. Some studies show only 40 % of US companies even have a web presence. Source: GoDaddy & RedShift Research Small Business Survey 2015.

How do business, government and community come together to enable digital business locally to thrive and compete in the local and global digital economy?

On May 12, Ignite Washington is bringing together key leaders with invited guest to focus on just that.  This invitation-only event will provide a forum to discuss policy options and a digital equity bill to accelerate support for these initiatives. Participating attendees, sponsors, companies and speakers include: City of Bellevue, City of Seattle, Small Business Administration, Delta Airlines, Amazon, Uber, Microsoft, State of Washington, WA Department of Commerce, Ventures, SEED, eBay, Score, eBay, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Seattle U, Amaxra, Meylah, Sammamish Chamber and many small businesses

Agenda will include critical speaker led discussions on:

"What Does a Modern Small Business and Start-Up Look Like?," moderated by Alex Fong, Director of Small Business, Microsoft Corporation

"What Does a Digital Ready Roadmap or Preparedness Assessment Look Like?," moderated by Michael Cockrill, CIO, State of Washington

"Policy Options for Advancing Small Business Digital Equity Bill," moderated by State Senator Pramila Jayapal, District 37

"Adopting a Small Business Campaign," moderated by Fred Neil, VP of Lifecycle Marketing, Amazon

Pramila Jayapal, Washington State Senator who is co-hosting the event, stated that - "Small businesses are at the heart of the American Dream. They are what fuels sustainable economic growth and are vital to Washington's State economy. This is why Ignite Washington and I are working with key leaders to tackle systematic issues and increase their digital equity so that we can produce more jobs and improve economic conditions across the state."

Chaitra Vedullapalli of Ignite Washington, is ecstatic at the prospect of what this will mean for small business and startups. 'This is about helping small business, entrepreneurs, start-ups and the community at large to realize the promise and benefits of digital ready business and enabling innovation."

About Ignite Washington http://www.ignitewa.com

Ignite Washington is a city by city digital equity and readiness initiative for small businesses. Ignite Washington is led by consortium of local businesses, government officials, non-profit organizations, and private citizens focused on developing policies, readiness, and access to relevant resources at a local level to power small business growth. Their goal is to infuse $100 million into local economy in the next 3-5 years. Ignite Washington enables access to talent, technology, markets, and funding; provides support for manufacturing and exports; and expands digital access to local and global customers.

Media Contact:

Jacqueline Touma, CMO, Amaxra (an Ignite WA member)

425-749-7471 jacqueline.touma@amaxra.com

Press passes available