A new hub for women entrepreneurs is taking shape in Seattle and will host its official launch party tonight. Less than 10 weeks after opening, The SWELL has 53 members and quickly evolving programming that includes an accelerator, its own consulting startup and weekly “hot seats” where founders hash out challenges.

“What we’ve created is a community that happens to have a co-working space,” said founder Sally Revell. “I am not in the business of co-working. I’m in the business of building a women’s founder community, and we have a space that we convene in.”

Revell decided to launch The SWELL after 25 years in marketing leadership roles for tech companies including Google, Amazon Web Services, Philips and Intuit. Her parents’ deaths in 2024 were a “catalyst for change,” she said, prompting her to strike out as an independent consultant. But she still craved an in-person professional community.

The SWELL, an acronym for “Seattle women entrepreneurs leading and lifting,” is based at SURF Incubator, a longtime co-working and events venue in downtown Seattle.

A membership costs $200 a month and includes access to the co-working space Monday through Friday. The hub is currently capped at 75 members, and Revell is exploring a virtual program.

A survey of participants found that 40% resigned from corporate roles to launch their own ventures and 30% were laid off. An overwhelming majority have worked for big companies, and the cohort has a median of 17 years of work experience.

About 60% said they never want to return to corporate roles, and all are using AI in their business.

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