(Formerly known as Ascend Portland. Same program, new name!)

 

Access to management, Money & Markets

Pictured: Sibeiho (Ascend Portland Client)

CURRENTLY Accepting applications

From Food & Beverage and/or Consumer Goods Businesses for the 2025 (Virtual) Cohort.

SCALE THROUGH REGIONAL AND NATIONAL MARKET ACCESS — The goal of Ascend Oregon is to increase wealth opportunities for people of color and other historically underserved entrepreneurs by creating an ecosystem of support that enhances business knowledge, access to capital, and procurement opportunities.

are these challenges keeping your business from scaling?

 

  • Do you feel left behind by changing market conditions?

  • Struggling to keep up with rising costs and supply chain disruption?

  • Looking for help keeping yourself accountable?

  • Exhausted and need fresh perspective?

  • Need connections to open doors?

  • Selling more but always short on cash?

  • Working too many hours on tasks you should delegate or outsource?

  • Winning product awards but not paying yourself enough?

  • Haven't recovered from the pandemic?

  • Feeling isolated in your decision making?

 

Ascend Oregon could be a great next step

Program Benefits

 

    • Legal support & resources

    • Management & strategic planning

    • Loan access and/or readiness

    • Marketing strategy

    • Leadership & Human Resources

    • Financial analysis & coaching

    • Access to bookkeeping training

    • Product development & securing contracts

    • Personalized strategies for growth

 
 

    • M3 Model: Management, Money & Markets

    • Curriculum sessions (every other week for 9 months, except for June, July & August which is once/month)

    • Guest experts & panelists

    • Develop a Strategic Roadmap to identify & execute your market access goals

    All programming will take place live on Zoom.

 
 

    • Expand your business support ecosystem

    • Relationship building with market access partners (B2B), government, procurement opportunities (B2G), and anchor institutions

    • Access to regional procurement opportunities & support in connecting with buyers and market opportunities

    • Make connections with other CEOs via peer groups

 

Program Details

Ascend is an industry-specific, cohort-based program that accelerates the growth of companies through the M3 Model: Management, Money, & Markets.

 

  • MANAGEMENT — Growth plan, improved business & leadership knowledge, new networks, opportunities for increased revenue, and employee retention/growth.

    MONEY — Access to financial products, and improve cash flow. 

    MARKETS — Market readiness, contract retention, growth, and new relationships.

  • YOU NEED MORE THAN AN ADVISOR, YOU NEED AN ECOSYSTEM OF SUPPORT.

    Ascend Oregon is managed by Livelihood NW. Ascend clients receive a breadth of access to business education, experts, loans, legal advice, and procurement opportunities through the support of collaborating organizations including:

  • Past Ascend Oregon clients have reported the following outcomes:

    • Feeling empowered, motivated, unstuck, more confident & connected

    • New purchase orders with local grocers & private companies

    • New contracts with wholesale distributors, including international

    • Secured business support grants

    • Increased brand awareness

    • Increased retail sales

    • New marketing Strategies

    • Approval for bank loan to expand production

    • Successful launch of new products

    • Opened a new location

    • Completed strategic plan

    • Updated legal documents

    • New connections with entrepreneurs

    • Secured a private investor

    • +More

  • Ascend Oregon Alumni can continue to access key Ascend benefits including:

    • Monthly B2B networking & educational with all Ascend Cities

    • Procurement opportunities

    • Additional advising hours may be available

 

Leverage A National Network to Scale

Ascend Oregon (serving all of Oregon and SW Washington) is part of a national, multi-city network of Ascend Cities. Ascend Oregon clients can access training, events, collaboration opportunities, B2B networking, and guest experts across the country.

ELIGIBILITY & COST

    • Priority is given to businesses owned by BIPOC, women, LGBTQ, Veteran or other underrepresented populations

    • Must be in the Food & Beverage or Consumer Products industries (for the upcoming cohort), other industries welcome to apply

    • Are seeking or will seek B2B, B2G, or Anchor Institution opportunities

    • Are at $250k+ targeted annual revenue*

    • Have 5+ employees*

    • Home or business is located in Oregon or SW Washington

    *If your revenue is below $250k, or have fewer than 5 employees, you are still encouraged to apply! We have flexibility here and consider each application individually.

    For further inquiries regarding client eligibility, please email us.

    • This program has an engagement 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.

Have More questions?

Meet with Colleen Slinkard, the Ascend Oregon program manager to get your questions answered before applying, or nominating a business.

 

Ascend Oregon clients

Check out some past and current Ascend Oregon businesses

“We had the privilege to be in the 2021 Ascend Cohort with Livelihood NW and are thrilled with the level of mentorship and community that we have received with them!”

- Past Ascend Oregon Client

“What Livelihood NW does for the local business community is priceless! What an amazing resource for any entrepreneur to have in their corner.”

-Bambuza Vietnam Kitchen

“Livelihood NW is one of the best resources for anyone that owns a small business. They really care and do whatever it takes to help make your business enjoyable, sustainable, and profitable.”

-Fire Brew

ARE YOU A CURRENT Ascend Oregon CLIENT or Alumni?

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APPLY NOW

CURRENTLY Accepting applications for our 2025 cohort

There is no fee to apply | Program Delivery via Zoom

Applying early is encouraged as applications are open until cohorts are filled. All industries are welcome to apply, but the next cohort will be Food & Beverage and Consumer Goods focused.

The next Cohort Starts Early 2025

Can’t wait? Meet with a Business Advisor through Open Business Advising — No application needed!

NOT SURE IF THIS PROGRAM IS THE RIGHT FIT?

Don’t worry — we will assess your eligibility for ALL our programs with one application. You can meet with our Program Manager Colleen Slinkard to chat more, or check out our other cohort program, Increase Project, which is open to a wider range of industries and business stages.