Talk To The Hub: The Top Free Business Tools for Entrepreneurs in 2025

As a small business owner or startup founder in Oregon, every dollar counts. The good news? There's never been a better time to access powerful business tools without breaking the bank.

At Metro Region Innovation Hub, we're committed to providing Portland business resources and Oregon startup support to help entrepreneurs thrive. Talk to the Hub for free business tools and to provide personalized recommendations based on your specific business needs.

Here's our curated list of the most impactful free business tools that Oregon small business owners are leveraging in 2025.

Talk To The Hub: The Top Free Business Tools for Entrepreneurs in 2025

#TalkToTheHub

Business Planning & Strategy

Lean Canvas – Skip the 40-page business plan and capture your business model on a single page. This streamlined approach helps you focus on key elements like your value proposition, customer segments, and revenue streams. Free business templates are available at leanstack.com.

Trello – Visual project management that helps you organize business initiatives on boards with cards and lists. The free version offers unlimited boards, making it perfect for mapping out your business roadmap, content calendar, or product development pipeline. Start building your free business board for free at https://trello.com/

Marketing & Customer Acquisition

Canva – Create professional-looking graphics for social media, presentations, and marketing materials with this intuitive design platform. The free version includes thousands of templates and design elements that make your business look polished from day one. Start designing your startup today at https://www.canva.com/

Mailchimp – Build your email list and nurture customer relationships with up to 2,000 contacts and 10,000 monthly email sends at no cost. Perfect for newsletters, product announcements, and staying top-of-mind with your audience. Start your small business off with a free 14-day trial at https://mailchimp.com/

Google Business Profile – Essential for local businesses, this free tool helps you appear in local search results, collect customer reviews, and share important information like hours and location. A must-have for boosting visibility in Portland and beyond. Start your business in Oregon and create a business profile here

Financial Management

Wave – Completely free accounting software designed specifically for small businesses. Track income and expenses, send professional invoices, and generate financial reports that help you understand your business health. Get your Oregon startup started for free at https://www.waveapps.com/

Splitwise – While primarily known for personal use, many small partnership businesses use this to track shared expenses before establishing formal accounting systems. Great for co-founders sharing startup costs. Sign up to start tracking your Portland startup cost at https://www.splitwise.com/

Operations & Productivity

Google Workspace – Access professional email, collaborative documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with generous free tiers. The ability to work simultaneously on documents with team members makes this an essential productivity suite. Start building our your team with https://workspace.google.com/

Calendly – Eliminate the back-and-forth of scheduling with this appointment booking tool. The free version allows for one meeting type and seamless calendar integration—perfect for customer consultations or sales calls. Schedule a virtual meeting to learn about Oregon entrepreneur grants, learn about the best Portland entrepreneur events, or simple network virtually for free using https://calendly.com/

A Space for Workshops, Networking, and Conversation

Asana – Manage tasks and workflows for teams of up to 15 people. Track projects, assign responsibilities, and set deadlines to keep your business operations running smoothly without complex systems. View a demo at https://asana.com/

Website & E-commerce

WordPress.com – Launch a professional-looking website with a free plan. While it has limitations (like WordPress branding), it's a solid starting point for establishing your online presence. Get started for free on WordPress.com

Square Online – Create a basic e-commerce store with no monthly fees—you only pay transaction fees when you make sales. Includes inventory management, pickup options, and even Instagram integration. Create your own site at https://squareup.com/us/en/online-store

Communications

Slack – The free version of this team communication platform includes 10K searchable messages, 10 integrations, and 1-to-1 video calls—more than enough for most early-stage businesses to streamline internal communications. Find your team at https://slack.com/

Zoom – Host unlimited 1-to-1 meetings and group meetings up to 40 minutes with the free plan. Essential for remote teams, customer conversations, and virtual events. Schedule a free meeting at https://www.zoom.com/

Data Analysis

Google Analytics – Understand your website visitors, their behavior, and conversion patterns with this robust analytics platform. The free version provides more data than most small businesses can fully utilize. Choose your path at https://developers.google.com/analytics

Hotjar – The free plan allows you to create heatmaps and record up to 35 daily sessions of user interactions on your website, providing valuable insights into how visitors engage with your content. Get started at https://www.hotjar.com/

Learning & Development

LinkedIn Learning – While primarily a paid platform, they offer hundreds of free courses, including many focused on business skills, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Take advantage of their one-month free trial for deeper learning. Start learning for free at https://www.linkedin.com/learning/

HubSpot Academy – Access free certification courses in marketing, sales, customer service, and more. These not only build your skills but also provide credentials you can showcase to clients and partners. Free HubSpot courses at https://academy.hubspot.com/

Local Resources We Love

Don’t forget about free local resources available specifically to Portland entrepreneurs:

MESO (Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon) – empowers small businesses across Oregon by providing access to critical funding opportunities that fuel growth and stability. Their business assistance and lending programs offer tailored financial solutions, from flexible microloans to specialized grant support, ensuring that entrepreneurs—especially those from underserved communities—have the resources needed to thrive. By combining capital access with expert guidance, they help small businesses overcome financial barriers, create jobs, and contribute to Oregon’s vibrant economy.

Portland Public Library Business Resources offers a wide range of business resources, workshops, and support to help entrepreneurs and small business owners succeed. Through their collection of tools, databases, and expert-led events, they provide valuable information on everything from starting a business to securing funding and growing a brand. With access to business mentors and a wealth of educational resources, they play an essential role in supporting Portland’s local entrepreneurs and fostering a thriving business community.

Oregon Start-up Center supports entrepreneurs by providing funding, mentorship, and resources to help startups grow and succeed. They offer access to capital, accelerator programs, and a network of experienced advisors to guide businesses through the challenges of scaling. By fostering innovation and connecting founders with the right opportunities, they play a key role in strengthening Oregon’s startup ecosystem and driving economic growth.

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce supports entrepreneurs by providing affordable commercial space, business training, and access to funding opportunities for small businesses in Oregon. They focus on empowering Latino and BIPOC entrepreneurs by offering resources that help them start, grow, and sustain their businesses. Through a collaborative community model, they create economic opportunities and strengthen the local business ecosystem.

SCORE Portland provides free mentorship, business resources, and funding guidance to help small businesses and startups succeed. They connect entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who offer expert advice on everything from business planning to securing capital. Through workshops, networking events, and personalized support, they help businesses in the Portland area overcome challenges, grow sustainably, and contribute to the local economy.

Latino Founders empowers Latino entrepreneurs in the Pacific Northwest by providing funding opportunities, mentorship, and business support to help them launch, grow, and scale their ventures. They focus on building generational wealth within the Latino community by offering access to capital, networking, and educational resources. By championing Latino-owned businesses, they strengthen the regional economy and create a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem.

ESO Summit 2025

Built Oregon is dedicated to fostering the growth of Oregon’s consumer product industries by providing funding, mentorship, and strategic resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Through their initiatives, they connect emerging brands with the capital and expertise needed to scale, ensuring that Oregon’s makers, artisans, and product innovators have the support to thrive in a competitive marketplace. By investing in local talent, they help build a stronger, more inclusive economy driven by creativity and entrepreneurship.

Portland Community College SBDC offers free, confidential business consulting and training to entrepreneurs and small business owners in Oregon. They provide expert guidance on everything from business planning and marketing strategies to financial management and funding opportunities. By connecting entrepreneurs with the right resources and support, they help businesses grow, increase profitability, and navigate the challenges of running a successful enterprise. The SBDC is a valuable partner for anyone looking to start or scale a business in Portland.

Oregon Entrepreneurship Network (OEN) is dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in Oregon by offering resources, networking opportunities, and access to funding. They connect startup founders and business owners with a network of experienced mentors, investors, and advisors who can guide them through the challenges of growing their businesses. Through events, educational programs, and community-building initiatives, OEN fosters a collaborative environment where entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to Oregon's innovation-driven economy.

While we’ve highlighted some of the key resources available in the Portland, Oregon startup space, we know there are many others out there. We encourage you to explore event opportunities with the Metro Regional Innovation Hub to discover even more resources that can help you grow your business.

Don’t hesitate to Talk to The Hub – they’re a valuable partner in connecting you with the right tools, expertise, and community to support your entrepreneurial journey.

Making the Most of Free Tools

While free business tools can take you far, know when it's time to upgrade. Consider these best practices:

1. Start free, upgrade strategically – Use free versions to test platforms before committing to paid subscriptions

2. Calculate the value of your time – Sometimes paying for efficiency makes sense as your business grows

3. Watch for limitations – Free plans often restrict users, features, or usage volumes. Plan accordingly

4. Consider data security – Free tools may have fewer privacy protections. Be mindful of sensitive information

Next Steps

At Metro Region Innovation Hub, we’re here to help you navigate the world of business resources—both free and paid. Our Navigators can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific business needs and growth stage.

Ready to optimize your business toolkit? Connect with us to discuss which resources make the most sense for your entrepreneurial journey at TalkToTheHub.com

---

What free business tools have made the biggest impact on your business? Share in the comments to help fellow entrepreneurs discover new resources.