Start a New Business in Oregon

Business Oregon is the state's economic development agency. The Business Oregon Commission oversees the agency's activities to ensure an integrated approach to economic development and a continuous policy direction that can transcend changes in executive and legislative leadership.

Business Oregon administers more than 80 grant, loan, tax incentive, and other programs to further the development of businesses, communities, and economies in Oregon. Programs include Arts and Culture, Business Finance, Business Incentives, Global Trade, Infrastructure and Land Programs, Innovation, Certifications, Government Contracting, New Market Tax Credits, and more.

775 Summer Street NE
Suite 200
Salem, Oregon 97301
Phone: 503-986-0123

Business Oregon website

Prosper Portland has a comprehensive range of economic development programs that supports small business, improves access to workforce training, and creates jobs for Portland residents.

Prosper Portland’s business services concentrate on helping businesses create and retain jobs to grow and prosper. Whether you’re an existing or new-to-Portland business, you can get help in navigating local programs; accessing financial and technical resources that give your company a competitive edge; and evaluating Portland as a viable and effective location where your company can thrive.

220 Northwest Second Avenue
Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97209
Phone: 503-823-3200

Prosper Portland website

The Oregon SBA is supported by main district offices in Portland, Oregon and Boise, Idaho. They provide services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting, certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed.

The Portland office serves Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler, Yamhill counties in Oregon and Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum counties in southwestern Washington.

The Boise office serves Clark, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley, and Washington counties in Idaho and Baker, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Union, and Wallowa counties in Oregon.

Examples of educational programs and events include Marketing 101: Building a Brand for Your Small Business; Tax and Business Basics for Self-Employed; Social Media for Beginners, and Common Credit Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.

Portland district office:
620 South West Main Street
Suite 313
Portland, Oregon 97205
Phone: 503-326-2682

Oregon Small Business Administration website

Boise district office:
380 East Parkcenter Boulevard
Suite 330
Boise, Idaho 83706
Phone: 208-334-9004

Boise Small Business Administration website

Oregon’s Small Business Development Centers provide business advising, classes, and workshops for long-time business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.

One-on-one business advising: The experienced team is committed to helping your small business succeed.

Small business management classes: Improve your profitability, financial recording and management, operational systems, strategic execution, and team building.

Workshops and presentations: Regularly scheduled training, workshops, and seminars focus on the topics that matter most to entrepreneurs in Southern Oregon.

101 S Bartlett Street
Suite 130
Medford, Oregon 97501
Phone: 541-552-8300

Oregon Small Business Development Centers website

SCORE Oregon offices include a group of experienced business professionals who volunteer their expertise to help aspiring entrepreneurs start a new business or assist existing small businesses in improving their profitability.

Volunteers are successful real-world business professionals with experience in areas such as accounting, finance, human resources, consulting, import/export, law, operations, production, retail, wholesale, manufacturing, sales, marketing, management, business plan preparation, strategic planning, and many other business disciplines.

SCORE Oregon provides:

• Volunteer mentors who share their expertise across many industries

• Free, confidential business mentoring in person, via email, or by video

• Free business tools, templates, and tips

• Inexpensive or free business workshops and webinars

SCORE Central Oregon serving Central and Southern Oregon
Northeast Thurston Avenue
P.O. Box 6416
Bend, Oregon 97708
Phone: 541-316-0662

SCORE Central Oregon website

SCORE Portland serving Northwest Oregon
12600 SW Crescent Street
Suite 160
Beaverton, Oregon 97005
Phone: 503-350-2005

SCORE Portland website

NAWBO Oregon supports women business owners, founders, and entrepreneurs in Oregon and Southwest Washington. The organization’s goal is to promote and enhance the growth and profitability of member businesses. Meetings provide relationship-building opportunities and educational and informational programs. NAWBO Oregon also supports the aspirations of future women business owners by providing scholarships to young women in local colleges and universities.

5200 Meadows Road
Suite 150
Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035

NAWBO Oregon website

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps small businesses get the funding they need. Funding resources include:

• Loans: Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the SBA.

• Investment capital: Find an investor for your business. Investors make both debt and equity investments.

• Disaster assistance: Get help after a disaster with low-interest disaster loans.

• Surety bonds: Protect your work and your client with an SBA-guaranteed surety bond.

• Grants: Look for government grants that help businesses do scientific research and development.

United States Small Business Administration Funding Resources website

With a mission to create economic growth and opportunity for Portland, Prosper Portland works with Portland businesses to identify financial needs and eligibility and then helps you find the program that fits best.

Prosper Portland offers:

• A variety of flexible loans to meet your unique business or property needs

• Flexible repayment terms tailored to help you ramp up and stabilize your business or commercial property

• Business support through Prosper Portland’s Inclusive Business Resource Network (IBRN)

• The ability to combine Prosper Portland loans and grants to make your project a reality

• Potential partnership with your primary lender to bridge a financing gap

• Dedicated and experienced staff to help you navigate the process

220 Northwest Second Avenue
Suite 200
Portland, Oregon 97209
Phone: 503-823-3200

Prosper Portland Business Finance Programs website

The Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship (LCE) is a resource for innovators, entrepreneurs, and instigators. Housed in the Lundquist College of Business, the center serves as the hub of the University of Oregon's innovation network across campus and into the local community. Through programs, events, competitions, classes, and trips, the center provides activities for students to broaden their education with experiences, hands-on learning, and connections.

Lundquist College of Business
1208 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon 97403
Building: Lillis Business Complex
Phone: 541-346-3300

University of Oregon Charles H. Lundquist College of Business website

A bachelor's degree from the College of Business is the starting point for the pursuit of knowledge and the professional abilities that will serve you throughout your career. The College of Business at Oregon State University offers more than 25 business and design degrees and degree options with a focus on graduates that are profession-ready.

Oregon State's graduate business programs are specifically developed to anticipate the demands of business and industry, and position graduates in the job market. An MBA, an MSB, a Ph.D. as well as certificates and minors are available with flexible programming that accommodates working professionals.

College of Business
2751 South West Jefferson Way
Corvallis, Oregon 97331
Phone: 541-737-2551

Oregon State University College of Business website

The Pamplin School of Business offers undergraduate majors in accounting, economics, finance, marketing, and operations and technology management.

Graduate programs include a master of business administration (MBA), a master of operations and technology management, a master of business administration in nonprofit management, and a master of finance. They also offer post-MBA certificates, including a business analytics certificate, and more.

Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. School of Business
5000 North Willamette Boulevard
Portland, Oregon 97203
Phone: 503-943-7224

University of Portland Dr. Robert B. Pamplin, Jr. School of Business website

Oregon Business reports on a wide range of big-tent business topics like leadership, innovation, technology, culture, politics, and environment, and reaches more than 20,000 business, political and civic leaders across the state.

The signature project of the magazine is the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon, and two companion projects: the 100 Best Nonprofits and the 100 Best Green Companies.

12570 S.W. 69th Avenue
Suite. 102
Portland, Oregon 97223
Phone: 503-445-8828

Oregon Business Magazine website

The Portland Business Journal is Portland's premier business publication providing comprehensive coverage of the local economic landscape. Along with breaking news, PBJ offers in-depth industry analysis, business tools, market leads and 35+ annual award and networking events.

851 SW Sixth Avenue
Suite 500
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: 503-274-8733

Portland Business Journal website

The Southern Oregon Business Journal collects and distributes articles, reports and information pertaining to the business climate in southwestern Oregon. The Southern Oregon Business Journal focuses on Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties. The Southern Oregon Business Journal publishes once a month, exclusively in digital format.

864 Neil Creek Road
Ashland, Oregon. 97520
Phone: 541-227-8188

Southern Oregon Business Journal website