Find Ventures Ends Program Supporting Washington Startups
In San Diego, for instance, startups raised $590 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 60% drop compared to the previous year and the smallest quarterly investment total in eight years. Find Ventures, launched in 2019, concluded its program after six years of providing non-dilutive funding to early-stage tech companies in Washington, with a focus on underrepresented entrepreneurs.
Find Ventures, an initiative launched in 2019 to support Washington startups, has concluded its program that focused on providing non-dilutive funding to early-stage tech companies. The program, which ran for six years, aimed at fostering innovation among underrepresented entrepreneurs in the tech industry.
Program Structure and Achievements
Throughout its operation, Find Ventures provided significant support to emerging tech businesses. In 2022, ten startups benefitted from the program, receiving non-dilutive funding to aid their growth. This funding mechanism allowed startups to receive capital without giving up equity, a critical advantage for early-stage ventures. Among the companies that participated in the program were Clearbrief, a legal tech firm, and WhyLabs, a startup focused on observability solutions.
The program was particularly aimed at culturally grounded innovation. It involved mentorship from industry experts and included workshops led by professionals like Mike Lightman, who focused on enhancing storytelling in pitch decks. Chantel Cohen also conducted sessions on achieving work-life integration, addressing a crucial aspect for startup founders. Over a 10-week duration, participants were guided through the development of minimum viable products (MVPs), preparing them to navigate the tech landscape effectively.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Find Ventures operated in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, which provided additional support for the program’s initiatives. The program was spearheaded by the Geekz Ventures Program Manager and was a part of a broader network that included partners like Village Capital and the Black Innovation Alliance. Geekz Ventures itself is a non-profit virtual pre-accelerator focusing on underestimated entrepreneurs, providing them with community, curriculum, coaching, and funding.
The initiative was industry-agnostic but concentrated on media and technology sectors, offering opportunities for startups from diverse fields such as media, SaaS, fintech, and entertainment. The 2025 cohort saw the selection of ten tech startups from a competitive pool across the United States, emphasizing the program's national reach and appeal.
Current Market Context
The conclusion of Find Ventures' program comes at a time when market conditions are affecting fundraising efforts across the tech industry. In San Diego, for instance, startups raised $590 million in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 60% drop compared to the previous year and the smallest quarterly investment total in eight years. Only 48 venture capital deals were completed in the same period, the lowest count in seven years, reflecting market hesitancy and challenges in securing early-stage and growth capital.
Despite these challenges, some startups have managed to secure significant funding. Crystalys Therapeutics, for example, raised $205 million in a Series A round, while other companies like Turnout and GigaIO each raised $21 million in seed and Series B financing, respectively. Firestorm Labs, a defense tech startup founded in 2022, secured $47 million in Series A funding, highlighting the ongoing interest in sectors aligned with geopolitical and national security priorities.
Future Implications
While Find Ventures' program has ended, its legacy continues through the startups it supported and the broader impact on the Washington startup ecosystem. The program's focus on non-dilutive funding and support for underrepresented entrepreneurs set a precedent for future initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and innovation in the tech industry.
As tech IPOs and mergers and acquisitions activity begin to rebound nationally, there is cautious optimism about the future of startup funding and development. The emphasis on AI investment, particularly in the Bay Area, underscores the strategic focus on technologies that align with national interests. Overall, the contributions of programs like Find Ventures underscore the importance of nurturing early-stage startups as key drivers of job creation and economic growth in the United States.