March 6, 2025

Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program Cohort 3 applications are open

Pre-proposal conference is March 13

The Washington State Department of Commerce is initiating a Solicitation of Applications from industry-led consortia interested in participating in the a new accelerated cohort of the Innovation Cluster Accelerator Program (ICAP). ICAP is an economic development strategy to strengthen industry ecosystems and accelerate economic development.

Eligible organizations include federally recognized tribes and their contracted service providers, local governments, public and private utilities, ports, associate development organizations, and more.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. April 2.

What is ICAP?

There are approximately 7,000 innovation clusters worldwide. From Washington state’s first cohort of innovation clusters  to Canada’s Digital Supercluster and the Queensland Robotics Cluster in Australia, clusters are increasingly used to grow existing industries, transform legacy industries and build entirely new industries. Around the world, government leaders and private industry executives look to innovation clusters to create trust-based collaboration platforms, speed up the pace of innovation, solve industry-level challenges and compete in new markets.

Pre-proposal conferences

There will be a pre-proposal conference to help applicants learn about and apply to the cohort.

General conference

• 12-1 p.m. March 13
• Attend the general pre-proposal conference on Teams

Tribal-specific conference

This conference is only for federally recognized tribes and their contracted service providers.

• 12-1 p.m. Monday, March 17
• Join the tribal-specific conference on Teams

Access the RFA and materials

About Commerce

Commerce works with local governments, businesses, community-based organizations and tribes to strengthen communities. The department’s diverse portfolio of more than 100 programs and effective public and private partnerships promote sustainable community and economic development to help all Washingtonians thrive. For more information, visit http://www.commerce.wa.gov. For information on locating or expanding a business in Washington, visit choosewashingtonstate.com.

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com.

This service is provided to you at no charge by Washington Department of Commerce.

Subscribe | Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe All | Help | Contact us