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The Bainbridge Graduate Institute, a pioneer in offering Sustainable MBA and certificate programs, is currently exploring options with the StartZone program to provide support in extending their reach to economically disadvantaged business owners. The program at Highline Community College provides entrepreneurship for immigrants, minorities, women and people of disability in Southwest King County. BGI will also serve as a primary sponsor for StartZone’s upcoming reception and client showcase.

BGI Dean, John Gardner Ph.D. stated, “we are excited to partner with HCC, the home for StartZone and the institution who has seen it through the proof of concept stage.  As a private, non-profit business school, our goal is to build capacity through our students and innovative network and provide the agility to spawn other sites outside south King County in areas where the service is most likely to succeed.”

StartZone programs help disadvantaged and low-income South King County residents achieve financial self-sufficiency by providing accessible and affordable training, consulting and other support for building small businesses that are bankable, profitable and sustainably connected to the local economy. StartZone has over 400 members and provides a range of workshops, consulting and other business support services. The program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

The StartZone reception and client showcase will be held from 4-6pm on May 18^th at the Burien Community Center. Representatives from BGI and StartZone will be present to discuss their shared vision to help create economic self-sufficiency for disadvantaged small businesses. The showcase will provide marketing opportunities for nearly 20 client businesses including arts and crafts, food, and a range of service providers. The event is open to the public. 

About The Bainbridge Graduate Institute

The Bainbridge Graduate Institute was the first school to offer an MBA in Sustainable business. Founded in 2002, BGI offers evening and weekend MBA and Certificate programs that thoroughly integrate environmental and social responsibility into every subject of the traditional core business curriculum. BGI works to help other business schools become more sustainable.

About Highline Community College

Highline Community College was founded in 1961 as the first community college in King County. With approximately 18,300 students and 350,000 alumni, it is one of the state’s largest institutions of higher education. The college offers a wide range of academic transfer and professional-technical education programs, with day, evening and weekend classes. Alumni include former Seattle Mayor Norm Rice, entrepreneur Junki Yoshida and Washington state poet laureate Sam Green.

About StartZone

StartZone is a program of Highline Community College that helps disadvantaged and low-income South King County residents achieve financial self-sufficiency by providing accessible and affordable training, consulting and other support for building small businesses that are bankable, profitable and sustainably connected to the local economy.

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

Bainbridge Graduate Institute

BGI was born when co-Founder and President, Gifford Pinchot, a renowned business consultant, realized the nation's graduate business schools were churning out one-dimensional MBA graduates with solid short-term profit-maximization skills, but lacking a deep understanding of how to integrate social and environmental issues into business decisions.

The Institute's pioneering MBA and certificate programs prepare a diverse group of leaders to build enterprises that are economically successful, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. The innovative curriculum preserves the rigor of a traditional MBA program, while infusing sustainability - including both environmental and social responsibility - throughout every course.

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