Toolbox Northwest
The Toolbox is a for-profit, innovative collaboration center for manufacturing and product-based startups and entrepreneurs. The Toolbox is a collaborative work space where seasoned entrepreneurs, established companies, growing startups, and nonprofit maker organizations will share tools, equipment, space, ideas, and knowledge with emerging entrepreneurs and innovators interested in building businesses based on making things. Entrepreneurs within the Toolbox will have access to the tools, advice, education, and capital they need to prototype products and start growing successful businesses. The Toolbox is the brainchild of Andy Barrett, Chairman and majority shareholder of Berg Co. Andy has 25 years of manufacturing and innovation experience. In addition to Berg, Andy has led the creation of two other companies: Sport Scope Endzone Camera which provides quality, easy to use, and affordable endzone camera systems to coaches with athletic programs of all sizes; and Vestis Systems, which designs, manufactures, and installs commercial and residential awnings, signage, louver sunshades, and window screens. In starting these businesses, Andy observed the need to establish a facility to nurture other product-based companies in the region. Andy reached out to Tom Simpson to partner with him on creating such a facility, and the Toolbox was born. Tom is the co-founder and Chairman of etailz, a rapidly growing ecommerce company, and is President of the Spokane Angel Alliance, an association of angel investors focused on funding regional startups. Andy and Tom’s broad-based experience and success in identifying new market opportunities, building teams, and growing companies are an asset to the Toolbox and the companies accelerated within it.
