Since 1995 over 100 small businesses have participated
in the Port’s Mentor-Protégé program.
Since 1995 over 100 small businesses have participated
in the Port’s Mentor-Protégé program.
The Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) strives to produce a broad base of high quality, competitive and profitable companies through incremental improvement.
The three-year program pairs each participating small business with two mentors who work with the small business to develop a strategic plan specific to the needs of the small business and overcome obstacles the firm is facing. The Port facilitates monthly team meetings and provides a wide array of free technical assistance during the firm’s participation in the program.
Upcoming 2026-2029 Cohort Application Update
- We anticipate opening applications for the upcoming cohort within the next 1-2 months, pending approval from Port Management regarding updates to the minimum qualification criteria related to COBID certification. All other program eligibility criteria are expected to remain the same.
- In the meantime, we highly encourage interested firms to look into COBID’s newly released Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE) Certification to see if you qualify and consider applying for this certification. Additionally, we also encourage you to research and apply for the Emerging Small Business (ESB) Certification if eligible. More information regarding OSBE eligibility requirements and the application process can be found on the COBID Office’s website HERE.
- Please make sure you are signed up for the MPP Application Notification Waitlist to receive future updates and notifications regarding the upcoming application process and cohort.
- For additional program and application-related questions, please refer to the MPP FAQs HERE.
Criteria to Qualify
- Must hold an active COBID certification*
- Must have been in continuous operation for at least 3 years
- Must be current on all applicable taxes
- Must be current on all required licenses (if applicable)
- Must not be ineligible or debarred from public contracting/public works by BOLI
- Must not be under active litigation that may impact business operations
- Must be willing and able to actively participate in the program, including attending approximately one training and one mentor meeting per month
*The COBID certification qualification criteria are expected to be updated for the upcoming cohort. Interested firms are encouraged to explore eligibility for COBID’s Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) certifications and consider applying for these certifications if eligible.
Typical Services Provided
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- Estimating
- Proposal Writing
- Software
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Safety
The Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) strives to produce a broad base of high quality, competitive and profitable companies through incremental improvement.
The three-year program pairs each participating small business with two mentors who work with the small business to develop a strategic plan specific to the needs of the small business and overcome obstacles the firm is facing. The Port facilitates monthly team meetings and provides a wide array of free technical assistance during the firm’s participation in the program.
Upcoming 2026-2029 Cohort Application Update
- We anticipate opening applications for the upcoming cohort within the next 1-2 months, pending approval from Port Management regarding updates to the minimum qualification criteria related to COBID certification. All other program eligibility criteria are expected to remain the same.
- In the meantime, we highly encourage interested firms to look into COBID’s newly released Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE) Certification to see if you qualify and consider applying for this certification. Additionally, we also encourage you to research and apply for the Emerging Small Business (ESB) Certification if eligible. More information regarding OSBE eligibility requirements and the application process can be found on the COBID Office’s website HERE.
- Please make sure you are signed up for the MPP Application Notification Waitlist to receive future updates and notifications regarding the upcoming application process and cohort.
- For additional program and application-related questions, please refer to the MPP FAQs HERE.
Criteria to Qualify
- Must hold an active COBID certification*
- Must have been in continuous operation for at least 3 years
- Must be current on all applicable taxes
- Must be current on all required licenses (if applicable)
- Must not be ineligible or debarred from public contracting/public works by BOLI
- Must not be under active litigation that may impact business operations
- Must be willing and able to actively participate in the program, including attending approximately one training and one mentor meeting per month
*The COBID certification qualification criteria are expected to be updated for the upcoming cohort. Interested firms are encouraged to explore eligibility for COBID’s Oregon Small Business Enterprise (OSBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) certifications and consider applying for these certifications if eligible.
Typical Services Provided
- Bookkeeping
- Marketing
- Estimating
- Proposal Writing
- Software
- Project Management
- Human Resources
- Safety
Protégé’s Spotlighted in the Local Portland Tribune Publication
