NEIU Business Innovation & Growth Center

Events in the Ecosystem

Events in the Ecosystem

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Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

19 Aug

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A free workshop on starting a business in Illinois.

August 19, 2026 - August 19, 2026

20 Aug

Starting A Business in IL

A workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business in Illinois.

August 20, 2026 - August 20, 2026

20 Aug

Export 101

Join the Export 101 workshop to learn about international trade and exporting for business opportunities.

August 20, 2026 - August 20, 2026

25 Aug

Navigating Google’s Latest Updates for Business Growth

A workshop covering the latest updates to key Google products.

August 25, 2026 - August 25, 2026

26 Aug

Starting a business in Illinois

A training session for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn essential steps for starting a business in Illinois.

August 26, 2026 - August 26, 2026

26 Aug

Choosing the Right Structure for Your Business

Join us for a webinar on choosing the right legal structure for your business.

August 26, 2026 - August 26, 2026

27 Aug

Starting Your Business in Illinois - August 27, 2026

A seminar to help individuals start their own business, offered by the Illinois Small Business Development Center.

August 27, 2026 - August 27, 2026

28 Aug

How to Start a Small Business in Illinois

An overview of the essential steps to start a small business in Illinois.

August 28, 2026 - August 28, 2026

01 Sep

Grant Ready: Unlocking Funding for Your Next Big Idea (September 2026, On-Demand Webinar)

An on-demand webinar designed to help entrepreneurs unlock funding for their projects through grants.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

01 Sep

Introduction to Business Plans & LivePlan - September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar providing knowledge and tools to write a business plan.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

01 Sep

Advantage Illinois Loan Program September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An informative on-demand webinar on the Advantage Illinois Loan Program.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

01 Sep

Introduction to Marketing for Small Businesses - September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar equipping small business owners with essential marketing strategies.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

01 Sep

Starting a Business in Illinois September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business in Illinois.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

01 Sep

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - September 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for an on-demand webinar on using AI in small business.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

02 Sep

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Aprenda los elementos básicos para comenzar una empresa exitosa en este taller.

September 2, 2026 - September 2, 2026

06 Sep

Selling to the City of Peoria: How to Get Started and Find Opportunities

This informative webinar offers businesses insights into engaging with the City of Peoria for government contracting.

September 6, 2026 - September 6, 2026

10 Sep

SBDC In Person/Hybrid Workshop: How to Research Your Target Market

Workshop on researching your target market for business planning.

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

10 Sep

Legal Support for Small Businesses

Workshop connecting small business owners with legal experts for guidance on legal issues.

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

10 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A free workshop to help you start your business in Illinois.

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

16 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois - September 16, 2026

A seminar on starting your own business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

February 2026

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
2026-02-01 1 Advantage Illinois Loan Program February 2026 On-Demand Webinar Introduction to Business Plans & LivePlan - February 2026 On-Demand Webinar Grant Ready: Unlocking Funding for Your Next Big Idea (February 2026, On-Demand Webinar) +2	2026-02-02 2	2026-02-03 3 Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp \| Road to Success (Week 3) Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - February 3, 2026	2026-02-04 4 Tu Declaración de Impuestos 2025: Qué Cambió, Qué Deducir y Qué Evitar - 2026-02-04	2026-02-05 5 Become Your Own Boss (BYOB): Business Planning Course	2026-02-06 6	2026-02-07 7
2026-02-08 8	2026-02-09 9 Essentials of Leveraging Your WBE Certification – Session 1 - 2026-02-09	2026-02-10 10 Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Training Happy Hour @ Riverlands Brewing 10th Annual Chicagoland Chamber PAC Advocacy Champion Award Reception +1	2026-02-11 11 Board of Directors Meeting - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics Starting Your Business In Illinois	2026-02-12 12 SBDC Live Webinar: Legal Issues for Small Business Email & Business Documents AI in Action: Elevating Communication Skills for the Modern Workforce	2026-02-13 13	2026-02-14 14
2026-02-15 15	2026-02-16 16 GREAT Week Kickoff	2026-02-17 17 Choosing the Right Entity for your Business APEX Accelerator Live Webinar: The Certification Process Doing Business with the Federal Government: Understanding the GSA Scheduled +6	2026-02-18 18 Marketing Fundamentals Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop CMAA's 2nd Annual Small Business Showcase +7	2026-02-19 19 AI For Beginners/Breakfast & Brainstorming Oak Brook Business Network Event @ Empire's rooftop in Lombard Export 101 (February 2026) +8	2026-02-20 20 Barcelona Guitar Trio - February 20, 2026 Barcelona Guitar Trio - Feb 20, 2026	2026-02-21 21
2026-02-22 22 Legal Support for Small Businesses	2026-02-23 23 Starting Your Business in Illinois (Marion)	2026-02-24 24 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - February 24, 2026 Keeping It Local: Assistance with Planning for the Future of Your Business Starting your Business in Illinois +5	2026-02-25 25 Starting a Business in Illinois Starting Your Business in Illinois Naperville Business Network Event @ Empire's Enclosed Rooftop +6	2026-02-26 26 Smart Capital, Strong Business: How Equipment Financing Fuels Growth Financial Planning for Small Business Owners Business on the Move Initiative - Marketing, Customers, and Competition +3	2026-02-27 27 Incorporation / Organization Day How to Start a Business In Illinois	2026-02-28 28 Accelera las Operaciones de tu Empresa Movie Screening and Fundraiser: “The Wiz” 29th Annual Chicago River Student Congress

Upgrade Your Cashflow: Small Business Financing Seminar

Past

A seminar focused on small business financing strategies and funding solutions.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

An Introduction to Winning Business in the Government Marketplace

Past

A training webinar designed to help small businesses understand and navigate government contracting.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Starting A Business in IL

Past

Workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business in Illinois.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Starting Your Business In Illinois

Past

An online workshop designed for individuals thinking about starting their own small business.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

WBE Onboarding - February 19, 2026

Past

Join us for a free 45-minute webinar aimed at newly certified WBENC WBEs or those wanting a refresher on the WBDC and WBENC networks.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

SBDC Live Webinar: How to Research Your Target Market

Past

Guided webinar on researching your target market for business planning.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Google Docs & Professional Documents

Past

Learn how to create and format professional documents using Google Docs.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Starting a Business in Illinois 2/19/2026

Past

A training event to learn about starting a business in Illinois.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Export 101 (February 2026)

Past

This seminar provides an overview of exporting and its benefits for business expansion.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

Oak Brook Business Network Event @ Empire's rooftop in Lombard

Past

A casual networking evening for local business professionals with drinks and appetizers.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026

AI For Beginners/Breakfast & Brainstorming

Past

A free seminar introducing the basics of Artificial Intelligence.

Thu, February 19, 2026 - Thu, February 19, 2026