Open to SU alumni, Jones Progress Awards now accepting applications

The Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center is seeking applicants for its annual Jones Progress Awards, a business accelerator for Seattle University alumni entrepreneurs. The deadline to apply is September 15, 2024.

The program supports three chosen candidates in ramping up their new businesses by providing mentoring, grant funds, and connections within the regional entrepreneurial system. Goals are set for the three candidates and teams matched with expert business coaches who guide and advise them over six months to achieve milestones. A panel of judges awards up to $10,000 to each of the teams that successfully meet key criteria and milestones within that period.

Past winners of the Jones Progress Awards have found the exercise to be illuminating and helpful in their entrepreneurial journeys. Below are some quotes from past winners:

"Through the program, we were able to grow our business tremendously and build a team to support the growth. The best part of the program was being able to sit down with three business-minded people once a  month and bounce ideas off them. It can be hard to find people to ask questions about building/growing your business and having three to talk to for 90 minutes a month was a huge benefit." ~ John Verduin, '18 MBA, of DYSports, 2022 Jones Progress Awards

"Participating in the Jones Progress Awards gave me the confidence to make a dream into a reality. Jones taught both me and my team how to commit, prioritize, and stay accountable with making our business really work. As a registered nurse, these skills were very new to me, but the staff and coaching made this process very approachable. I feel empowered to grow, learn, and keep moving forward." ~ Tawny Fajardo, '13 Nursing, of Syntek Medical, 2021 Jones Progress Awards

"The ability to bounce ideas around critical and non-critical decisions was immensely beneficial. It helped to have advisors with both industry and functional experience, especially since  we were new to the consumer product goods space. Specifically, we were able to utilize the sounding board to help prioritize what elements of our growth were most important toward our quarterly, yearly, and long term objectives." ~ Thomas Angel, '13 International Business and Economics, of Altitude Beverages, 2021 Jones Progress Awards

For a list of requirements and details on how to apply for the Jones Progress Awards, complete the form found on the JPA Applications page.