You’ve grown past startup, but…

Two women are standing at a glass board with yellow sticky notes, one is placing a sticky note while the other looks on, in a modern office setting with large windows and ceiling lights.

—> Your business has run - without a plan - for too long

—> You need help keeping yourself accountable

—> You feel isolated when making decisions

—> You need fresh perspective, resources, and connections

—> Your revenue or profit has plateaued or declined

—> You aren’t sure how to use your financial records to make decisions

—> You struggle to hire or keep good employees

—> Your internal systems are breaking and things are slipping through the cracks

—> You see opportunity everywhere but don’t know where to focus your energy

—> You started this business to do what you enjoy, but spend most of your time solving problems

We get it. You need to increase your skills to get to the next stage of growth.

We’re seeking 15-20 business owners who are feeling stuck to join Increase Project, a program DESIGNED specifically to OVERCOME these challenges.

Apply for Increase

Apply Now
Apply Now

Want to Meet us first?

Meet With A Business Advisor
Meet With A Business Advisor

Know someone?

Nominate a Business
Nominate a Business

Applications are OPEN. Our next cohort starts September 2026. Our cohort programs are competitive. If you are new to Livelihood NW, meet with a business advisor to strengthen your application.

Graphic with green upward bars and the words '.increase' in blue, alongside smaller text 'PROJECT' in blue.

Is Increase Project right for you?

Increase Project is For You If:

  • You’re ready to get off the treadmill and work ON your business, not just IN your business

  • It’s time to learn new skills and expand your comfort zone

  • You have a functional accounting system.(Don’t have one yet? Take our QuickBooks Training.)

  • You’re making at least $100k in annual revenue, but feel stuck*

  • You have 1 or more workers and are ready to grow with intention*

  • You or your businesses is located in Oregon or SW Washington

  • You want to break through to the next stage of growth

  • You’re tired of doing it alone

Apply Now
Apply Now
A woman with glasses smiling in a greenhouse surrounded by green plants and hanging moss.

Applications for Increase Project are OPEN. Cohort begins in September 2026.

Pictured: Celeste Noche (Increase Project alumni)

*Don’t have employees? Revenue below $100k?

Not sure if increase PRoject is right for you?

Schedule a free meeting with a Business Advisor — We make exceptions for the right fit, and have other programs for smaller businesses.

Meet with a Business Advisor
Meet with a Business Advisor
Icon of a calendar with a green border and black background

Increase Project participants Gain:

  • Skills that fill in knowledge gaps so you can become the business owner needed to reach your next goals

  • Connection to peers who understand what you’re going through, and might have been through the same thing before

  • More time, clarity, and confidence for your next stage of business

  • The ability to see challenges and opportunities ahead of time so you know when to say no, when to pivot, and when do double down.

  • Help from professional business advisors every step of the way

become the leader your business needs.

Smiling woman wearing a pink cap and black apron, standing at an outdoor food stand with jars, containers, and a large pot, promoting Makatán food.

Pictured: La Popular La Maka Tlan (Increase Project alumni)

Apply Today
Apply Today

Hear from Businesses we’ve worked with

A colorful graphic with a photo of a smiling woman at the bottom left corner, and stylized elements in shades of green, blue, and black.
Trade publication named 'Automotive News' with a feature article about electric vehicles and industry trends, including a photo of a smiling woman.
Educational infographic with a green header and a photo of a woman smiling and crossing her arms at the bottom left corner.
A colorful infographic displaying various statistics and information related to a topic, with a photo of a smiling woman in the bottom left corner.
Quote about the benefits of education and data-driven decisions in business, attributed to Jessi Slavich from Vena Cava Skin Therapy, with a small circular portrait of a woman with dark hair, and green quotation marks in the top left and bottom right

You don’t have to figure it out alone

A group of eight smiling people standing closely together inside a colorful indoor setting.

Pictured: Increase Project Cohort 9 Meetup

Increase Project is A live, structured learning environment that CREATES community. You’ll:

  • Meet (camera on) for a multi-session deep dive into four key business skillsets:

    • Entrepreneurial Mindset

    • Financial Empowerment

    • Marketing & Sales

    • Foundations for Growth

  • Apply strategies directly to your business in real time

  • Get one-on-one advising and bookkeeping support

  • Learn alongside peers navigating relevant and similar challenges

  • Get access to resources and referrals across an ecosystem of business support

  • Develop three year growth plan in collaboration with professional business advisors, tailored to your unique challenges, strengths, and goals

  • Present your growth plan to a panel of business experts in the community, get feedback and advice, and celebrate after!

Go from Working in your business to working on it

A man with a gray beanie and black sweater wearing a brown apron holding a white tumbler with a lid, standing in front of a dark textured metal wall.

Pictured: Touring Coffee Roasters (Increase Project alumni)

Increase Project is built for owners who realize the path forward requires learning more skills.

We see where owners at this stage get stuck, and we understand the specific skills that are needed to get past this stage of growth.

These skills can be taught and learned, without the expensive and time-consuming process of trial and error.

Join Increase Project and become the owner your business needs.

Don't Miss Your Chance - Apply Now
Don't Miss Your Chance - Apply Now

Applications for Increase Project are OPEN. Cohort begins in September 2026.

FAQs

  • Increase Project is rigorous, and requires business owners to prioritize their growth as leaders. Expect to spend at least a few hours each week either in class, meeting with your advisor or Accountability Team, preparing for sessions, or developing your growth plan.

    All sessions, advising meetings, and Accountability Team meetings take place on Zoom and are required.

    • 13 Live class sessions

    • 1 Final Presentation Day - April 1st, 2027

    • Private business advising scheduled at your convenience (during business hours)

    • 4 Accountability Team meetings (scheduled by your team)

    • Worksheets, videos, and required readings.

    Class Schedule:

    Classes are held Thursday mornings, 9 am to 11:30 am.

    • Sep 10, 2026

    • Sep 24, 2026

    • Oct 8, 2026

    • Oct 22, 2026

    • Nov 5, 2026

    • Nov 19, 2026

    • Dec 3, 2026

    • Jan 7, 2027

    • Jan 21, 2027

    • Feb 4, 2027

    • Feb 18, 2027

    • Mar 4, 2027

    • Mar 18, 2027

  • Sessions are recorded, but you will miss out on valuable discussions and interactions with your peers. No more than three absences are allowed in order to receive a certificate.

  • Increase Project is a year-long enrollment. Program fees are subsidized by Livelihood NW’s generous sponsors.

    • This program has a fee of $200-$1000 based on Household Income.

    • Scholarships are available. We will make sure that the fee will not be a barrier to enrollment in this program.

  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

    You may be selected for a brief interview. If so, we will contact you via email to schedule.

    Final decisions will be made by August 2026.

    Applications received after the cohort begins will be added to our wait list, and be considered for future cohorts and other programs.