Research > Small Business Incubator > Financing > Suggested links

Suggested links

General

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CDFA): http://www.cfda.gov

By: General Services Administration

Lists all types of assistance, including some loan programs, that the U.S. government offers public and private entities. Click on "Find Assistance Programs". Do a Keyword Search for "small business."
Financing Resources: http://www.portlandonline.com/index.cfm?c=42012

By: City of Portland

Includes links to local opportunities for finance and capital, as well as information on tax credits, incentives and discounts, and cost savings programs
Financing Your Start-Up: http://www.entrepreneur.com/money/finance/index.html

By: Entrepreneur.com

A useful collection of articles covering the use of loans, venture capital, angel investors, and personal assets to finance your small business.
Financial Assistance: http://www.business.gov/topic/Finance#Government_Grants_and_Loans

By: U.S. Business Advisor

Many government programs offer financial assistance in a variety of forms and size, such as general business loan guarantees, asset-based financing, microloans, export working capital and revolving lines, and equity or venture capital. Use this site for a one-stop electronic link to the information and services government provides for the business community.
Financial Assistance: http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/index.html

By: Small Business Administration

Learn about preparing and applying for a loan and other forms of financial assistance.
Finding Start-Up Money for Your New Business: http://www.biz.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/index.cfm/bay/content.research/catid/94/cpid/67/detail.htm

By: The Business Library of the Brooklyn Public Library

A comprehensive introduction to the types of funding resources available to small business. Includes information on importance of business plans and credit ratings, as well as where to turn for financing, be it personal investment, outside investors, or various types of loans.

Venture Capital and "Business Angels"

Venture capital firms are interested in investing in high-growth companies but demand a large share of the company's profits and management influence. "Business angels" are private investors who provide seed money and advice to a business they consider a good risk.

Oregon Entrepreneurs Network: http://www.oen.org/home

OEN is a network of entrepreneurs just like you. Through events and programs, they foster an environment that allows your business the chance to start and grow. OEN helps improve the flow of ideas, services, and capital to entrepreneurs and helps connect companies to expertise and other resources they need to grow their business.
Small Business Investment Companies (SBIC) Program: http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/inv/index.html

By: Small Business Administration (SBA)

SBICs, licensed and regulated by the SBA, are privately owned and managed investment firms that use their own capital, plus funds borrowed at favorable rates with an SBA guarantee, to make venture capital investments in small businesses. This site lists SBICs in Oregon.

Loan programs and assistance

Financing Your Business: http://www.sba.gov/financing/

By: Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has designed many loan packages, including micro loans. Many banks offer loans backed by the SBA. For a complete listing of the offerings, check out this Web site.
Financing: http://www.sba.gov/or/financing.html

By: Small Business Administration -- Portland District Office

The Small Business Administration does not currently provide direct financing, nor does it provide grants or low-interest loans for business start-up or expansion. The SBA enables its lending partners to provide financing on reasonable terms to small businesses when funding is otherwise unavailable by guaranteeing major portions of loans made to small businesses through SBA loan programs. See this site for a list of SBA approved lenders. Also links to other SBA financial assistance programs.
Oregon Business Incentives and Finance: http://www.oregon4biz.com/incentives.htm

By: Oregon Economic & Community Development

Offers a number of programs designed to help companies gain access to financing and to help them expand or locate their operations in the State of Oregon. These programs are provided in partnership with banks, local development groups and Small Business Development Centers. Each helps companies of different sizes and in different stages of development. Programs include entrepreneurial loans, loan guarantees, subordinated and direct loans, and tax credits and exemptions.
Portland Business Assistance Guide: http://www.pdc.us/pdf/bus_serv/pubs/business-assistance-guide_7-08.pdf

By: Portland Development Commission

The Portland Development Commission offers assistance to start-up and existing small businesses in accessing Portland resources. This online booklet describes local programs, including microloans, counseling, and training, for a wide range of businesses. Includes free and for-fee programs.
ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia: http://www.sbpac.org/

By: ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia

ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia provides financing and ongoing mentoring to small businesses unable to obtain funding from traditional sources, such as banks. Eligible businesses include those owned by low-income individuals, minorities, immigrants and women; child care businesses, nonprofit organizations, cooperatives and businesses with potential for job creation in economically distressed neighborhoods. Term loans and lines of credit are offered with a $500,000.00 maximum loan size.
Count Me In: http://www.count-me-in.org/

By: Count Me In, Inc.

Count Me In, a microlender, uses a unique women-friendly credit scoring system to make loans of $500-$10,000 available to women across the United States who have nowhere to turn for that all-important first business loan. The organization provides access to networks that expand contacts, markets, skills and confidence.
Mercy Corps Northwest Loan Program: http://www.mercycorpsnw.org/mercy/corps/info/loan_program/

By: Mercy Corps Northwest

This microenterprise program helps low-income individuals in the Portland-Vancouver area who are interested in starting or growing a business, by providing technical assistance and microcredit loans ranging in size from $500 to $50,000.
Northwest Small Business Finance Corporation: http://www.nsbfc.com/

By: Northwest Small Business Finance Corporation

Northwest Small Business Finance Corporation specializes in providing long-term low interest financing to small businesses for expansion. Through the SBA 504 loan program, NSBFC helps the small business borrower to qualify for financing at interest rates and terms which would not otherwise be available from private sector lenders.
Oregon Microenterprise Network Resource Guide and Directory (pdf): http://www.oregon-microbiz.org/docs/OMEN_resource%20guide_online.pdf

By: Oregon Microenterprise Network (OMEN)

A directory of organizations that provide and/or support microenterprise development services to low and very-low income entrepreneurs in Oregon.
Portland Development Commission Business Finance & Incentives: http://www.pdc.us/bus_serv/finance_programs.asp

By: Portland Development Commission

The PDC program includes both loans and incentive grants. Typically, your business location and planned use of funds will guide the determination of the appropriate financial tool for your needs. This page shows a brochure and table that offers a snapshot of the business loan programs offered through the PDC. Healthy businesses often generate jobs and this is an important component of these loan programs.

Tax credits, incentives, & discounts

Business Income Tax Abatements: http://www.econ.state.or.us/BIabate.htm

By: Oregon Economic and Community Development Department

Although not direct business finance options, tax credits and exemptions can be vitally important to business investment decisions. The credits and exemptions outlined here relate to new investments in plant and equipment and may be related to a specific public purpose, such as research, pollution control or child care.
Energy Loan Program: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/LOANS/selphm.shtml

By: Oregon Office of Energy

The Energy Loan Program (also known as SELP) offers low-interest loans for projects that save energy; produce energy from renewable resources such as water, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass, waste materials or waste heat; use recycled materials to create products; and use alternative fuels. The program can loan to businesses, public corporations, cooperatives, and non-profits in Oregon.
Oregon Business Energy Tax Credit Program: http://www.oregon.gov/ENERGY/CONS/BUS/BETC.shtml

By: Oregon Office of Energy

Offers tax credit to those businesses investing in energy conservation, recycling, renewable energy resources and less-polluting transportation fuels.
TriMet: Tax Breaks for Your Business: http://www.trimet.org/employers/taxemployer.htm

By: Tri-Met

If your company pays for any part of employee transit passes or vanpooling costs, you may be eligible for the Business Energy Tax Credit or federal and state tax credits. See this site for more information.