Free business support for La Crosse microenterprise owners
Get hands-on financial and digital skills support designed to help you stabilize, organize, and grow your business — at no cost to you.
What is the Launch & Grow program?
Launch & Grow: Finance + Digital Skills for Microenterprise Business Owners is a free, cohort-based business support program for very small businesses in the City of La Crosse.
The program is designed for business owners who want practical help — not theory — and need support organizing their finances, improving systems, and strengthening their day-to-day operations.
This City of La Crosse–funded program provides personalized 1:1 support, practical workshops, and clear next steps so you can make confident business decisions and move forward with momentum.
This program helps microenterprise owners with:
Financial literacy fundamentals for small business owners
Bookkeeping setup or cleanup (including QuickBooks Online)
Digital business tools such as online invoicing, POS, or e-commerce systems
Cash flow tracking, projections, and break-even analysis
Pricing and debt management basics
Lender- and grant-readiness preparation
Applications for the program are now being accepted!.
Who is the program for?
This program is for you if you:
Own a microenterprise in La Crosse (5 or fewer employees, including you)
Are navigating financial uncertainty, cash flow challenges, or growth decisions
Want clear tools, systems, and guidance you can actually use
Are ready to commit time to improving your business over a short, focused period
What you get by participating
In-Person Kickoff Workshop
A half-day, in-person workshop focused on financial clarity, operational foundations, and setting priorities for your business.
1:1 expert support
Up to 10 hours of personalized, one-on-one consulting tailored to your business, goals, and challenges.
Real, tangible deliverables
You won’t leave with “ideas” — you’ll leave with systems, tools, or processes that improve how your business runs.
Clear Next Steps & Local Connections
You’ll finish the program with a roadmap for what comes next, plus connections to local resources that can support you beyond the program.
Program Details and Schedule
Feb 11-13, 2026
Time TBD
Location:
TBD
(OPTIONAL) In-Person Q&A
Prefer application support or talk to someone face-to-face? We’ll be hosting an in-person Q&A support session in La Crosse for a limited time.
In the session, you can:
- 🙋🏽♀️ Learn if the program is a good fit for your business
- ℹ️ Get help confirming eligibility
- ✍🏼 Get support with your application on the spot
Applying in person is optional — online applications are always available.
Wed, March 11 2026
10:00am - 1:00pm CST
Location:
TBD, City of La Crosse
In-Person Kickoff Workshop
This is a high-touch, short-term program designed to respect your time while delivering real value.
- Financial literacy fundamentals for entrepreneurs
- Bookkeeping and cash-flow basics
- Introduction to digital readiness for small businesses (digitizing records, basic systems, and tools)
- Access-to-capital readiness and what lenders look for
- Peer connection and discussion with other business owners
March-April, 2026
Location: Zoom
One-on-One Technical Assistance
How 1:1 assistance works:
- Up to 10 hours of 1:1 support with a small business expert
- Meetings held virtually at times that work for you
- Focused on financial systems, digital tools, and operational improvements
- Includes work on at least one tangible business deliverable
Early May 2026
Time TBD
Location:
TBD, City of La Crosse
Capstone Session
A closing session to:
- Review progress
- Solidify next steps
- Ensure you leave with clarity, confidence, and direction
Spots are limited to 10 businesses to ensure personalized support.
Program qualifications
To qualify for this free program, you must:
Own a microenterprise located in La Crosse
Have 5 or fewer employees, including the owner
Meet low-to-moderate income (LMI) requirements
Be willing to participate in workshops and 1:1 sessions
What does “low-to-moderate income” mean?
This program is funded through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resources, which require income eligibility verification.
Eligibility is based on household size and income, using HUD guidelines. Detailed income limits will be provided during the application process.
If you’re unsure whether you qualify — apply anyway. The application team will help determine eligibility.
What qualifies as "low income"?
| Size of household | Maximum income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $40,350 |
| 2 | $46,100 |
| 3 | $51,850 |
| 4 | $57,600 |
| 5 | $62,250 |
| 6 | $66,850 |
| 7 | $71,450 |
| 8 | $76,050 |
Ready to apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Spots are limited, and demand is expected to be high.
Program sponsored by the City of Lacrosse and made possible through Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding.
Consulting services provided by Revby LLC, a small business consulting firm.