Growing Your Business

Knowing when and how to grow your company is an important step, especially when you have others who depend on your business for their livelihood. Following are some resources that will help you expand your operations, whether you need a little advice, some additional training or data and analytics that will help you move to the next stage of success.

The Business Startup Playbook

The Playbook has a special section that addresses business growth. Sure, you can read the whole guide as a refresher, but this link takes you to the part that deals specifically with expansion strategies.

ScaleUp

Small business owners participate in 35-hours of on-site classroom training to improve financial operations, reduce operational expenses and learn how to compete more effectively in the marketplace.

Thrive!

This program is designed specifically for second-stage companies, providing them with phone and online consulting and sophisticated diagnostics and analytics designed to help CEOs make informed decisions that will lead to exponential growth.

Small Business Flex Fund

Small businesses and nonprofits can apply for a low-interest loan of up to $150,000 to finance expansion and growth as well as recover from the pandemic and subsequent economic slowdown.

Access to Capital

We’ve compiled a list of angel investors, venture capitalists and local investing organizations (LIONS) to help you find money to launch your new enterprise.

Startup Wisdom: 27 Strategies for Raising Capital (opens in new window)

Money makes the world go round and this free book has traditional and creative ways to secure additional financing, from crowdfunding to little known grant programs.

Property & Site Search

Is your business bursting at the seams? Need a bigger office or manufacturing space? Use our Property Search tool to view available properties and buildable land in your area and use the filters to narrow and refine your choices, whether you’re interested in buying, leasing or building.

Startup Centers

Washington’s Startup Centers offer consulting, mentorship and courses to help you solidify your expansion plans.

Small Business Export Assistance

Commerce fields a team of experts who can help you get into exports or expand into new markets worldwide. Services include technical assistance, research, matchmaking, trade shows and trade missions to key markets around the globe.

Export Voucher Program

Qualifying small businesses in Washington State can be reimbursed up to $5,000 for export-related activities, including trade show and trade mission fees, travel, interpreter and translation services, training, international certifications and more.

Resources for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Online resources especially for veterans who own and operate small businesses.

Resources for Women-Owned Businesses

A collection of resources for women-owned businesses in Washington State.

Retirement Marketplace

This employee or employer program allows owners and workers to plan for retirement through 401(k) and IRA retirement plans that are vetted by the state and offered by private plan companies.

When Disaster Strikes: A Crisis Planner for Businesses

A step-by-step crisis plan to help you prepare for manmade and natural disasters that could interrupt or jeopardize operations, including steps for opening your business once a crisis has passed.