Events in the Ecosystem

Submit Resource

Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

10 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois

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

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

Learn More

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

Learn More

16 Sep

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Un taller para aprender a iniciar un negocio exitoso.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

Learn More

16 Sep

How to Start a Business in Illinois

A webinar to help entrepreneurs learn how to start a business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

Learn More

16 Sep

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar

A live seminar for individuals looking to start a small business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

Learn More

17 Sep

SBDC Live Webinar: Legal Issues for Small Business

Join the SBDC for a live webinar on legal issues for small businesses.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Learn More

17 Sep

Starting A Business in IL

A workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to understand business startup opportunities in Illinois.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Learn More

17 Sep

Export 101

A workshop covering the basics of exporting and international trade opportunities.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Learn More

17 Sep

Export 101

A workshop covering a basic overview of exporting and how to take advantage of it for business expansion.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

Learn More

20 Sep

CMMC Compliance Training for Manufacturers

Join our CMMC Compliance Training designed for manufacturers to ensure you meet DoD requirements.

September 20, 2026 - September 20, 2026

Learn More

20 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A FREE workshop to guide you in starting your business in Illinois.

September 20, 2026 - September 20, 2026

Learn More

21 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop (September 2026) - Evening Session

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

September 21, 2026 - September 21, 2026

Learn More

23 Sep

Grant Preparation 101 - Live online seminar

A live online seminar focusing on the pre-award process for state and federal grants.

September 23, 2026 - September 23, 2026

Learn More

24 Sep

The Wedge: Intelligent Ledgers in the AI Economy

A training seminar exploring the role of intelligent ledgers in the AI economy aimed at accounting and finance professionals.

September 24, 2026 - September 24, 2026

Learn More

24 Sep

Grants for Small Businesses - September 24, 2026

Workshop aimed at empowering entrepreneurs to secure funding for their small businesses.

September 24, 2026 - September 24, 2026

Learn More

25 Sep

How to Start a Small Business in Illinois

A training session on starting a small business in Illinois.

September 25, 2026 - September 25, 2026

Learn More

30 Sep

Starting a business in Illinois

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

September 30, 2026 - September 30, 2026

Learn More

01 Oct

Starting a Business in Illinois October 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs successfully start their businesses in Illinois.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

Learn More

01 Oct

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - October 2026

An on-demand webinar focused on how AI can benefit small businesses, featuring demonstrations and practical applications.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

Learn More

01 Oct

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

An on-demand webinar to help entrepreneurs write effective business plans using LivePlan.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

Learn More

April 2026

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
2026-03-29 29	2026-03-30 30 Beginner Computer Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Basic Introduction: Excel	2026-03-31 31 Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp \| Road to Success (March 31, 2026) Inside Chicago's Food Ecosystem: Women Leading the Way Keeping up with Cottage Foods +3	2026-04-01 1 Grant Ready: Unlocking Funding for Your Next Big Idea (April 2026, On-Demand Webinar) Introduction to Marketing for Small Businesses - April 2026 On-Demand Webinar Introduction to Business Plans LivePlan - April 2026 On-Demand Webinar +3	2026-04-02 2 Starting Your Business in Illinois Legal Support for Small Businesses SAGE Advice Chicago Information Session	2026-04-03 3	2026-04-04 4
2026-04-05 5	2026-04-06 6 Graduate Open House	2026-04-07 7 The Future of Small Business Engagement with Large Companies: Learn how to do business with Deloitte and Medtronic Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - April 7, 2026 Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp \| Road to Success (April 7, 2026) +5	2026-04-08 8 CMMC Level 1 Bootcamp: 3 Week Cohort Series - Week 3 Visibility Signals that Win in AI Search Comenzando un Negocio en IL	2026-04-09 9 SBDC In Person/Hybrid Workshop: How to Research Your Target Market Building Illinois - What's Next in Construction Career & Internship Fair - April 9th, 2026 +4	2026-04-10 10 One for the Foxes - April 10, 2026 One for the Foxes - April 10, 2026 The SAGE Advice Program: Strategies to Advance and Grow Enterprises \| Application Deadline +3	2026-04-11 11
2026-04-12 12 Launch Your Business with Customer-Focused Marketing CMMC Level 1 Bootcamp: 3 Week Cohort Series - Week 2	2026-04-13 13 Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 1 Government Contracts Webinar	2026-04-14 14 Starting Your Business in Illinois (Virtual) Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Training How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality - April 14 +1	2026-04-15 15 Agentic AI: Building Autonomous Systems for Small Business Efficiency The Exchange 2026 Naperville Business Network Event @ Empire's Enclosed Rooftop +6	2026-04-16 16 Starting A Business in IL Canva for Your Small Business Export 101 +5	2026-04-17 17 Starting Your Business In Illinois	2026-04-18 18
2026-04-19 19	2026-04-20 20 Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 2 (2026-04-20) Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop (April 2026) - Evening Session	2026-04-21 21 APEX Accelerator Live Webinar: The Certification Process Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - April 21, 2026 Maximize Your Potential with the SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program (2026 Update) +5	2026-04-22 22 Funding Resources for Business Owners The Growth Lab \| Pilot Episode - April 22, 2026 Starting a Business in Illinois +9	2026-04-23 23 Grant Writing Happy Hour @ Swing Loose Indoor Golf Funding for Founders: A Practical Access to Capital Workshop +4	2026-04-24 24 Navigating Lending Resources Harnessing AI for Your Small Business How to Start a Small Business in Illinois +1	2026-04-25 25
2026-04-26 26 Harnessing AI for Your Small Business	2026-04-27 27 Beginner Computer Skills: Building Confidence with Technology	2026-04-28 28 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - April 28, 2026 From Renter to Owner: A Practical Homebuying Panel Target Supplier Engagement Symposium – Building Foundations for Growth +5	2026-04-29 29 Creating Your Capability Statement AI Strategy That Scales: Build Smarter Systems That Grow With You - Smart Brand System Culinary & Hospitality Marketplace: Doing Business with McCormick Place +2	2026-04-30 30 Sales vs. Marketing Fireside Chat with John Sassaris	2026-05-01 1 ECommerce with Shopify - Session 3 - Recorded Session 2026 Grant Ready: Unlocking Funding for Your Next Big Idea (May 2026, On-Demand Webinar) Starting a Business in Illinois May 2026 On-Demand Webinar +4	2026-05-02 2 Grow Smart: Small Business Marketing Series Email & Business Documents Empoderamiento Financiero para Proveedoras de Cuidado Infantil - 2026-05-02 +1

2026 Top Shelf Retail: High Volume Growth Insights | Application Deadline

Past

Participate in an eight-week program designed for established retail businesses to access mass retail market opportunities. Learn essential strategies for growth.