Events in the Ecosystem

Submit Resource

Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

17 Jun

Happy Hour Networking @ CoCo & Blu (June 17th)

A networking event for local business professionals at CoCo Blu on June 17th.

June 17, 2026 - June 17, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

WBE Onboarding - June 2026

A free webinar for newly certified WBENC WBEs to understand the WBDC and WBENC networks.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

ESTRATEGIAS DE MARKETING DIGITAL

Training sessions on digital marketing strategies for businesses.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

Make Better Decisions with Analytics and AI

Join us for an online workshop on using AI and Google Analytics for business insights.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

Starting Your Business In Illinois

An online workshop to assist individuals interested in starting their small business.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

Starting A Business in IL

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

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

13th Annual MESC 2026 KICK OFF EVENT

Kick off your entrepreneurial journey at the 13th Annual MESC 2026 event with opportunities to win prize money.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

Export 101

A workshop covering the basics of exporting and how to take advantage of it for business growth.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

18 Jun

State of IL BEP Certifications

A seminar on the State of IL diversity certification application process.

June 18, 2026 - June 18, 2026

Learn More

23 Jun

Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - June 23, 2026

Join the Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp for invaluable insights into government contracting.

June 23, 2026 - June 23, 2026

Learn More

23 Jun

DPA Title III & IBAS: Supply Chain Resiliency, Manufacturing Growth, and Defense Readiness

An online training event focused on Supply Chain Resiliency and Manufacturing Growth related to Defense Readiness.

June 23, 2026 - June 23, 2026

Learn More

23 Jun

APEX Accelerator Live Webinar: The Certification Process

Join the APEX Accelerator Live Webinar to learn about the certification process for small businesses.

June 23, 2026 - June 23, 2026

Learn More

24 Jun

QUICKBOOKS Curso de 6 semanas Capacitación: Serie en Español (Online)

Curso de 6 semanas sobre QuickBooks en español, diseñado para propietarios de pequeñas empresas.

June 24, 2026 - June 24, 2026

Learn More

24 Jun

On-Deck Pitch

On-Deck Pitch is an event to help entrepreneurs refine their pitching skills.

June 24, 2026 - June 24, 2026

Learn More

24 Jun

SBDC In-Person Workshop: Payment Processing Basics for Small Business

A workshop focused on payment processing solutions for small businesses.

June 24, 2026 - June 24, 2026

Learn More

24 Jun

Grants for Small Businesses - June 24, 2026

A workshop designed to empower small business owners with the knowledge and resources to identify and pursue grant opportunities.

June 24, 2026 - June 24, 2026

Learn More

25 Jun

Unlocking Local Success: Google Business Profile & AI Tools Workshop

A workshop focusing on Google Business Profile and AI tools for local business success.

June 25, 2026 - June 25, 2026

Learn More

25 Jun

6-week QUICKBOOKS like an Expert: Take Your Finances to the Next Level (Online)

A 6-session online course on QUICKBOOKS for small business owners.

June 25, 2026 - June 25, 2026

Learn More

25 Jun

AI Toolkit for Business Leaders

A free webinar for small business leaders on how AI can support growth and productivity.

June 25, 2026 - June 25, 2026

Learn More

25 Jun

Financial Accounting for Small Business Owners

A training seminar on financial accounting tailored for small business owners.

June 25, 2026 - June 25, 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