The Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers free, confidential one-on-one business advising to help established owners with planning, financials, marketing, and growth strategies. They’ll even walk you through preparing for loans or scaling operations.

The ScaleUp Business Training (Startup Washington) program offers established business owners—especially those with 2+ years in operation—free, hybrid training to boost profitability, build capacity, and break through growth challenges.

Olympic College Shelton Continuing Education offers affordable, non-credit courses—from professional development to certifications—ideal for business owners upskilling themselves or their teams.

The Evergreen State College Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) offers career-connected certificates and courses in business, entrepreneurship, and leadership for working professionals. Explore programs like Transformative Leadership and the Supervision Certificate to upskill yourself or your team.

The Washington State Department of Commerce Growing Rural Economies program provides technical assistance, training, and mentor networks to strengthen rural businesses and support local economic growth.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)Rural Business Development Grants (RBDG) program provides funding to support rural small business expansion, strategic planning, and development needs.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Micro-entrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) offers grants and loans to support rural micro-entrepreneurs through micro loan revolving funds and training assistance.

The Washington State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) provides affordable capital to small businesses through participating lenders like Kitsap Bank and Heritage Bank, offering loan programs such as the Flex Fund 2 and Owner-Occupied Commercial Real Estate.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers create value-added products, reach new markets, and increase revenue.

The Washington APEX Accelerators (APEX) program provides free, confidential assistance to businesses pursuing government contracts. Services include help with certifications, bid reviews, and marketing strategies to connect with federal, state, and local agencies, with specialized support for minority-, women-, and veteran-owned businesses.

Enterprise for Equity (E4E) provides free classes and coaching to help entrepreneurs with low incomes start or strengthen their small businesses. Training includes business planning, financial skills, and access to resources for long-term sustainability.

The Washington State Microenterprise Association (WSMA) strengthens community-based organizations that provide free training, technical assistance, and access to funding for Washington’s smallest businesses. WSMA supports startups and helps existing microbusinesses stabilize and grow.

The RISE-WA Accelerator (Rural Investment for Small-Business Empowerment) connects rural entrepreneurs-especially women- and BIPOC-owned businesses-with mentors, peers, and resources to expand capacity and create sustainable growth.