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.

18 Oct

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A workshop to help entrepreneurs start their business in Illinois.

October 18, 2026 - October 18, 2026

19 Oct

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

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

October 19, 2026 - October 19, 2026

21 Oct

Grant Preparation 101 - Live online seminar

Learn about the pre-award process for grants in this live online seminar.

October 21, 2026 - October 21, 2026

22 Oct

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

Join the workshop to learn about payment processing options for small businesses.

October 22, 2026 - October 22, 2026

23 Oct

How to Start a Small Business in Illinois

Learn the steps and resources to start a business in Illinois.

October 23, 2026 - October 23, 2026

28 Oct

Starting a business in Illinois

A training session for aspiring entrepreneurs on starting a business in Illinois.

October 28, 2026 - October 28, 2026

29 Oct

Hiring Your First Employee - October 29, 2026

A workshop on how to effectively hire your first employee.

October 29, 2026 - October 29, 2026

01 Nov

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

An on-demand webinar for small businesses focused on essential marketing strategies.

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

01 Nov

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

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

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

01 Nov

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

An on-demand webinar for entrepreneurs to learn about writing business plans.

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

01 Nov

Advantage Illinois Loan Program November 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

01 Nov

Starting a Business in Illinois November 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

01 Nov

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - November 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for an on-demand webinar on how AI is transforming small businesses.

November 1, 2026 - November 1, 2026

02 Nov

SBDC LIVE WEBINAR: Tax Know-How for Small Business

This webinar will cover taxation for small businesses and answer questions related to tax planning.

November 2, 2026 - November 2, 2026

02 Nov

Brandsformation

A training event focusing on brand evolution and its impact on decision-making.

November 2, 2026 - November 2, 2026

02 Nov

Legal Support for Small Businesses

Workshop for small business owners to gain legal support.

November 2, 2026 - November 2, 2026

04 Nov

Starting Your Business in Illinois - November 4th , 2026

A virtual seminar to help individuals start their own business in Illinois.

November 4, 2026 - November 4, 2026

12 Nov

SBDC Live Webinar: How to Research Your Target Market

A live webinar that assists participants in researching their target market and understanding customer demographics.

November 12, 2026 - November 12, 2026

16 Nov

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

An online workshop for emerging entrepreneurs about starting a business in Illinois.

November 16, 2026 - November 16, 2026

18 Nov

Starting a business in Illinois

Training designed to help aspiring entrepreneurs turn their ideas into action.

November 18, 2026 - November 18, 2026

May 2026

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
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
2026-05-03 3	2026-05-04 4 The Wedge + SIUE Presents: Legal Support for Small Businesses	2026-05-05 5 The Blue Economy and Chicago's Economic Future: Corporate Water Leadership, Workforce Pathways, and Regional Resilience How to Write a Business Plan Workshop - May 5, 2026 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - 2026-05-05 +2	2026-05-06 6 NorthShore Business Network Happy Hour @ Sketchbook Brewing Starting Your Business In Illinois	2026-05-07 7 Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar ILSBDC Small Business Week Capital Readiness Pitch - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Starting Your Business in Illinois +6	2026-05-08 8 Financial Tips for Your Small Business and the Importance of Cash Flow APEX Live Webinar: From Capability to Contract: Business Development Strategies for Winning Contracts	2026-05-09 9
2026-05-10 10 Legal Support for Small Businesses	2026-05-11 11	2026-05-12 12 Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - May 12, 2026 How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality - May 12 Understanding Financial Statements +7	2026-05-13 13 Starting Your Business In Illinois Workshop Quarterly Meeting 2026 SBA Illinois Lender Forums +7	2026-05-14 14 Government Contracting 101: Understanding the Basics Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving SBDC Live Webinar: Insurance Types for Small Business +7	2026-05-15 15 Golden Alumni Induction Ceremony	2026-05-16 16
2026-05-17 17	2026-05-18 18 Starting Your Business in Illinois Workshop (May 2026) - Evening Session	2026-05-19 19 Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics 2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections (2026-05-19) Starting Your Business In Illinois +3	2026-05-20 20 Childcare Collaborative Market Your Business with Social Media Building Marketing Assets Faster- Grow with Google +9	2026-05-21 21 Business on the Move Initiative - Business Plan Presentations and Graduation - May 21 2026 Mexico and the United States: The Value of a Strong Neighborhood Oak Brook Business Network Event @ Empire's Rooftop in Lombard +6	2026-05-22 22 How to Start a Small Business in Illinois	2026-05-23 23
2026-05-24 24	2026-05-25 25 Starting Your Business In Illinois Using AI For Your Business	2026-05-26 26 Grow Smart: Small Business Marketing Series: Social Media Marketing SBDC In Person: Tax Know-How for Small Business Get Money Smart in 2026 +3	2026-05-27 27 EXPORT NOW Bootcamp Starting a business in Illinois Before the Business: Building Your Founder's Mindset +10	2026-05-28 28 Turning Business Documents into Action Using NotebookLM Access to Capital Contracting Opportunities Ahead: Meet the Contractor for the MWRD's New JOC Contract	2026-05-29 29 Grow Local: Marketing Your Business in Today’s World	2026-05-30 30 Marketing en un Mundo Digital
2026-05-31 31	2026-06-01 1 Starting a Business in Illinois June 2026 On-Demand Webinar Introduction to Marketing for Small Businesses - June 2026 On-Demand Webinar WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round +4	2026-06-02 2 Happy Hour @ Riverlands Brewing Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp \| Road to Success Aurora Intro to Goverment Contracting with Brenda Henderson +2	2026-06-03 3 APEX - Process for Becoming a Vendor for the State of Illinois Colleges and Universities - WIU	2026-06-04 4 Breaking Into the Big Leagues: Unlocking Partnerships - 2026-06-04 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 4, 2026	2026-06-05 5 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 5, 2026	2026-06-06 6 Achieve Summit \| Southland Development Authority - June 6, 2026

Live Capability Statement Workshop

Past

A workshop to create effective capability statements during National Small Business Week.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

Entrepreneurship - Franchising as a Possibility

Past

A seminar designed to teach entrepreneurs about franchising as a business model.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

Economic Development & Equity for Small Businesses

Past

A live online event introducing resources for small businesses in Illinois.

Thu, May 7, 2026

Optimize Your Social Media Accounts

Past

A workshop to strengthen and optimize your social media strategies.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

The Sales Cycle & Customer Journey

Past

Training session on understanding the sales cycle and customer journey.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

ILSBDC Small Business Week Capital Readiness Pitch - Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Past

Join us for the ILSBDC Small Business Week Capital Readiness Pitch event showcasing high-potential entrepreneurs.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

Small Business Skill Share Celebrating National Small Business Week 2026

Past

A free morning event for entrepreneurs providing actionable strategies for business growth.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar

Past

A seminar for developing new for-profit business concepts in Illinois.

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Past

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

Thu, May 7, 2026 - Thu, May 7, 2026