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.

24 Jul

How to Start a Small Business in Illinois

An online training to guide individuals on how to start a small business in Illinois.

July 24, 2026 - July 24, 2026

29 Jul

Starting a business in Illinois

Virtual training designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to help them start their business.

July 29, 2026 - July 29, 2026

01 Aug

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - August 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for an on-demand webinar featuring practical uses of AI for small businesses.

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

01 Aug

Starting a Business in Illinois August 2026 On-Demand Webinar

This on-demand webinar provides essential knowledge for starting a business in Illinois.

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

01 Aug

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

An on-demand webinar that teaches entrepreneurs how to write a business plan.

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

01 Aug

Advantage Illinois Loan Program August 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

01 Aug

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

A free on-demand webinar for small business owners on marketing strategies.

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

01 Aug

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

An on-demand webinar designed to help entrepreneurs secure grant funding.

August 1, 2026 - August 1, 2026

02 Aug

Tax Know-How for Small Business

A training session covering tax know-how for small businesses.

August 2, 2026 - August 2, 2026

02 Aug

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Join our FREE workshop to learn how to start a business in Illinois.

August 2, 2026 - August 2, 2026

03 Aug

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Workshop on starting a business in Illinois.

August 3, 2026 - August 3, 2026

03 Aug

Legal Support for Small Businesses

A workshop connecting small business owners with legal experts for guidance on business-related legal issues.

August 3, 2026 - August 3, 2026

11 Aug

How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality (August 11, 2026)

Final session of the series focusing on childcare business essentials.

August 11, 2026 - August 11, 2026

12 Aug

SBDC Live Webinar: Engage More Clients with Business-to-Consumer (B2C) Content Marketing

A workshop to help business owners create effective B2C content marketing strategies.

August 12, 2026 - August 12, 2026

12 Aug

Womens Business Council quarterly meeting

A quarterly meeting for women in business to network and learn from guest speakers.

August 12, 2026 - August 12, 2026

12 Aug

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Un taller para aquellos que desean iniciar su propio negocio.

August 12, 2026 - August 12, 2026

17 Aug

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

This workshop offers vital information for opening a business in Illinois.

August 17, 2026 - August 17, 2026

19 Aug

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

A training workshop for aspiring business owners to learn the essentials of starting a business.

August 19, 2026 - August 19, 2026

19 Aug

How to Start a Business in Illinois

Learn how to start a business in this live webinar focusing on business planning and resources.

August 19, 2026 - August 19, 2026

19 Aug

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A free workshop on starting a business in Illinois.

August 19, 2026 - August 19, 2026

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

Small Business Assistance and Access to Capital Event

Past

An informational session on Small Business Resources and Access to Capital.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

The Growth Lab | Pilot Episode - April 22, 2026

Past

Join us for the launch of The Growth Lab, a new advisory series for entrepreneurs. Bring your business challenges and get expert advice.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Funding Resources for Business Owners

Past

This presentation helps business owners understand capital readiness and how funding needs evolve from startup through growth.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Full-On Cleopatra (April 22-25, 2026)

Past

Experience the continuation of Full-On Cleopatra, showcasing the rich narrative of Cleopatra's life. This event will run for four days at the Stage Center Theatre.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Sat, April 25, 2026

Navigating Government Contracting - A Roadmap for New Vendors

Past

This training event will cover government contracting basics and readiness for new vendors.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Starting a Business in Illinois

Past

Attend this virtual training to learn what you need to know to do business in Illinois.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Capital Readiness 101 - April 22, 2026

Past

Learn how to position your business for financial challenges and opportunities in this essential session on capital readiness.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Make Your Website Work For You - Grow with Google

Past

Learn how to build or improve a search-friendly website that drives action and delivers results.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Grant Preparation 101 - Live online seminar

Past

A seminar to learn about grant preparation and pre-award processes for state and federal grants.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Past

Join us for a FREE workshop on starting a business in Illinois.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Board of Directors Meeting

Past

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Meeting.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026

Starting a business in Illinois

Past

An online seminar on starting a business in Illinois, featuring live training.

Wed, April 22, 2026 - Wed, April 22, 2026