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.

20 Nov

Womens Business Council Meeting

Quarterly Womens Business Council meeting for women to learn and network.

November 20, 2026 - November 20, 2026

20 Nov

Building Business Credit Webinar 2026 - Recording

A webinar discussing business credit, its importance, and best practices.

November 20, 2026 - November 20, 2026

21 Nov

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

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

November 21, 2026 - November 21, 2026

01 Dec

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

An on-demand webinar for entrepreneurs to learn how to write a business plan using LivePlan.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Advantage Illinois Loan Program December 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar on the Advantage Illinois Loan Program for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

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

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

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - December 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for an on-demand webinar on AI applications for small businesses.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

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

An on-demand webinar designed to equip small business owners with essential marketing strategies.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Starting a Business in Illinois December 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about starting a business in Illinois.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop

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

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

A workshop focusing on starting a business successfully.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

The Customer Journey & Building SOPs

A training event on improving customer experience and building effective SOPs.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Starting Your Business in Illinois

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

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

01 Dec

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Online Webinar

Online webinar for starting a small business in Illinois.

December 1, 2026 - December 1, 2026

02 Dec

Start Now in Government Contracting Series Part 3 – Capability Statements

This online training session covers essential sections of a Capabilities Statement for government contracting.

December 2, 2026 - December 2, 2026

03 Dec

APEX Government Contracting Beginners Bootcamp

APEX Government Contracting Beginners Bootcamp is a comprehensive introduction to government contracting.

December 3, 2026 - December 3, 2026

18 Dec

How to Start a Business in Illinois

Learn how to start a business in Illinois in this informative online webinar.

December 18, 2026 - December 18, 2026

18 Dec

How to Start a Business in Illinois

Learn how to start a business in Illinois through this online webinar.

December 18, 2026 - December 18, 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

WBDC's Spring Networking Event - April 23, 2026

Past

Reconnect with fellow entrepreneurs at WBDC's Spring Networking Event. Enjoy an evening of networking and celebration on April 23rd.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026

Cybersecurity for Manufacturers: Protecting the Supply Chain

Past

A webinar focusing on cybersecurity risks for manufacturers in the Defense Industrial Base.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Past

An online training session for aspiring entrepreneurs in Illinois.

Thu, April 23, 2026

Funding for Founders: A Practical Access to Capital Workshop

Past

A hands-on workshop to help entrepreneurs secure capital for their businesses.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026

Happy Hour @ Swing Loose Indoor Golf

Past

Networking happy hour event featuring drinks, appetizers, and indoor golf simulation.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026

Funding for Founders: A Practical Access to Capital Workshop

Past

A hands-on workshop on securing business funding.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026

Grant Writing

Past

A no-cost workshop on grant writing fundamentals.

Thu, April 23, 2026 - Thu, April 23, 2026