NEIU Business Innovation & Growth Center

Events in the Ecosystem

Events in the Ecosystem

Submit Resource

Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

01 Oct

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

An on-demand webinar about securing grant funding for entrepreneurs.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

01 Oct

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

An on-demand webinar focusing on marketing strategies for small businesses.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

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

01 Oct

Advantage Illinois Loan Program October 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

01 Oct

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A FREE informative workshop on starting a business in Illinois.

October 1, 2026 - October 1, 2026

07 Oct

SBDC Live Webinar: Engage More Clients with Business-to-Business (B2B) Content Marketing

Learn to engage B2B clients with effective content marketing strategies in this free live webinar.

October 7, 2026 - October 7, 2026

13 Oct

Starting Your Business in Illinois - October 13th, 2026

A training event for individuals interested in starting a business in Illinois.

October 13, 2026 - October 13, 2026

14 Oct

SBDC Live Webinar: Insurance Types for Small Business

A webinar covering essential insurance types for small businesses.

October 14, 2026 - October 14, 2026

14 Oct

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar

A live seminar for developing small businesses in Illinois.

October 14, 2026 - October 14, 2026

14 Oct

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

A workshop to learn the basics of starting a successful business.

October 14, 2026 - October 14, 2026

15 Oct

Starting A Business in IL

A workshop to help aspiring entrepreneurs understand starting a business in Illinois.

October 15, 2026 - October 15, 2026

15 Oct

Export 101

This workshop will provide an overview of exporting and its benefits for business expansion.

October 15, 2026 - October 15, 2026

18 Oct

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A workshop to help entrepreneurs start their business in Illinois.

October 18, 2026 - October 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

Grant Writing- Harrisburg

Past

A no-cost workshop on grant writing fundamentals in Harrisburg.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Sharpen Your Product Idea with Gemini

Past

Learn to validate your product idea using Gemini AI in this free online workshop.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Business After Business on a Chicago Fire Boat

Past

Join us for networking on a retired fireboat in Chicago.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving

Past

Join us for the Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving workshop.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

The AI 4C Framework: Prompt Engineering for Profit

Past

A training event focusing on prompt engineering for artificial intelligence in marketing.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

VC Lab Emerging VC Fund Managers Program

Past

FREE to attend 14-week virtual program for emerging VC fund managers.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Starting a Business in Illinois

Past

A webinar to explore the essentials of starting a business in Illinois.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving

Past

A seminar focused on essential cash flow management skills for business ownership.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

SBDC Live Webinar: Insurance Types for Small Business

Past

A webinar discussing essential insurance types for small businesses.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026

Government Contracting 101: Understanding the Basics

Past

An introductory webinar on government contracting basics with live Q&A.

Thu, May 14, 2026 - Thu, May 14, 2026