SEA Sparks Small Business Economic Development Program
SEA Sparks is a limited-term small business economic development program and mobility initiative that lowers barriers, reduces costs, and simplifies requirements for startup, mid-stage, and emerging companies and concepts interested in conducting concessions operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). The program curates and scales opportunities for inexperienced airport concessionaires to learn and adapt to SEA’s fast-moving ecosystem. All SEA Sparks tenants receive support and guidance to navigate the demands of operating at SEA and pathways to compete for longer-term, inline Airport Dining and Retail (ADR) opportunities.
The SEA Sparks program features 24 limited-term opportunities across five categories at SEA, including:
- Kick Starter: Port-owned Grab & Go food & beverage merchandise cart recently relocated to Concourse A
- Convenience Vending: Tenant-owned, operated, and maintained automated vending machines selling convenience products
- Specialty Retail Incubator: Port-owned spaces for retail sale of fast-moving consumer products and consumer packaged goods
- Specialty Retail Accelerator: Tenant funded and constructed kiosks for retail sale of fast-moving consumer products and consumer packaged goods
- Food & Beverage Kitchens (QSR): Port-owned, fully equipped QSR kitchens for onsite production and service of meals, snacks, beverages, and desserts
SEA Sparks in Action
Through the SEA Sparks program, the Port of Seattle will be launching the first two incubator Food & Beverage Kitchens (QSR) in any North American airport. Taco Street (Mexican street food) will be operating in the Central Terminal Esplanade, and SEA KO (PNW-Korean fusion), will be operating in Concourse B (Gate B-4). Both restaurants are expected to open in August 2026.
In the recently revealed Concourse C Expansion, SEA Sparks added six new specialty retail incubator tenants:
- Hi Ducky (plush toys and stuffed animals)
- Toppies By Tyra (handcrafted crochet accessories)
- Transcend SEA (upcycled apparel and accessories)
- Clara Jane Studio (on-trend jewelry and accessories)
- Royal Phoenix Art (iconic landscape prints and photography)
- Seattle Glassblowing Studio (glass art and custom designs)
Cobb's Gourmet Popcorn recently joined Theo Chocolate in the specialty retail incubator category in Concourse A (near Gate A-1).
In SEA Sparks accelerator category, Cupcake Royale (cupcakes and sweet treats) recently joined Lowrider Cookie Company (gourmet cookies and more) in Concourse A and Show Pony Boutique (fashion-forward apparel and accessories) and Chalo SEA (Seattle-themed travel accessories) in the North Satellite Concourse.
Upcoming Opportunities
SEA Sparks will be soliciting information from interested and qualified small businesses for Specialty Retail Incubator - Coffee. This opportunity will feature an initial term of two (2) years with a one-year extension incentive for a maximum tenancy of three (3) years. Requirements and instructions will be clearly explained in the SEA Sparks Request for Information (RFI 26-9), with expected release and publication during August 2026 and closure in September 2026.
