Business & Entrepreneurship at the University of Washington

From Market Research to Launch Plan

Summer Springboard program located on the campus of the University of Washington

Request a Catalog Full Program Schedule

Program Highlights

Understand how operations, marketing, sales, and finance come together to drive businesses

Learn how to read financial statements in order to decipher a company’s performance

Develop a sales and marketing plan and pitch your venture to investors and mentors

Hear the tales of survival of a startup business from an entrepreneurial founder

Residential Tuition:
$5,498

Commuter Tuition:
$2,998

July 20, 2025 August 1, 2025

University of Washington
Seattle, WA

Testimonials

I came in knowing next to nothing about business and now I feel that I have flourished in business. This program is very beneficial and I feel that I am ready for college.

Nathaniel C.
Business could be a very real career choice for me! I enjoyed the class, and I think my group’s business model has a lot of potential.

Burke P.

Course Overview

Students will learn firsthand from business veterans about starting and running a business. Over the course of the program, they will develop a plan for a new venture and pitch their idea to real world investors. Along the way, meet with leaders from different areas of business and finance.

Meet your instructor

Susan Preston, JD

Business & Entrepreneurship Washington State University

Susan Preston, Managing Member of SeaChange Fund and Seattle Angel Fund, is committed to entrepreneurial growth in the Pacific Northwest through early-stage investments while co-managing the Element 8 Fund, focusing on cleantech ventures.

Learn more

Topics you'll explore

Hands-On Learning

Students will examine best practices in Research and Development (R&D), Operations, Marketing, and Finance. Understand the mechanics of scaling a business while maintaining quality.

Students become part of a new company and configure themselves into teams working on various aspects of a business. The program culminates in a shark tank environment with professional investors.

SSB business students presenting their shark tank proposal

Career Exploration

Meet with range of business people, from small business owners, mid-level managers and execs from Goldman Sachs, McKinsey consultant, and CEO.

From creative marketers to hard-nosed financial analysts, there are myriad careers you may not have heard of. Together we will discuss the career options and the academic paths to get there.