Events in the Ecosystem

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30 Jun

Starting Your Business in Illinois - June 30th 2026

Join the Illinois Small Business Development Center for a free online seminar on starting your business.

June 30, 2026 - June 30, 2026

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01 Jul

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

An on-demand webinar for small business owners focusing on essential marketing strategies.

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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01 Jul

Starting a Business in Illinois July 2026 On-Demand Webinar

This on-demand webinar offers essential guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to start a business in Illinois.

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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01 Jul

Introduction to Business Plans LivePlan - July 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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01 Jul

Advantage Illinois Loan Program July 2026 On-Demand Webinar

An on-demand webinar focused on financial resources available for small businesses in Illinois.

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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01 Jul

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

An on-demand webinar to help entrepreneurs understand and access available grant opportunities.

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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01 Jul

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - July 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for a free on-demand webinar on the use of AI in small businesses.

July 1, 2026 - July 1, 2026

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06 Jul

WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round

Participate in the WBENCPitch IMPACT 1st Round, where women business enterprises will showcase their stories and business ideas.

July 6, 2026 - July 6, 2026

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08 Jul

Windy City Business Network Happy Hour @ Midwest Coast Rooftop

Enjoy a happy hour of networking with craft beer and pizza at Midwest Coast Brewing Co.

July 8, 2026 - July 8, 2026

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08 Jul

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Un taller para aprender los elementos básicos para comenzar una empresa exitosa.

July 8, 2026 - July 8, 2026

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10 Jul

13th Annual MESC 2026 KICK OFF EVENT- Virtual

Join the virtual seminar for the 13th Annual MESC 2026 Kick Off Event to learn about the Metro East Startup Challenge.

July 10, 2026 - July 10, 2026

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14 Jul

How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality - 2026-07-14

Este webinar te guiará a través de los pasos esenciales para iniciar un negocio de cuidado infantil con confianza.

July 14, 2026

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14 Jul

Paid Social That Works — Facebook & Instagram Advertising Essentials

Learn how to effectively use Facebook and Instagram ads for your business.

July 14, 2026 - July 14, 2026

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15 Jul

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

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

July 15, 2026 - July 15, 2026

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15 Jul

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

This workshop focuses on B2B content marketing strategies for engaging clients effectively.

July 15, 2026 - July 15, 2026

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15 Jul

How to Start a Business in Illinois

A live webinar teaching aspiring entrepreneurs how to create a business plan and register their business in Illinois.

July 15, 2026 - July 15, 2026

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15 Jul

Hiring Your First Employee - July 15, 2026

Are you ready to grow your team but unsure where to start?

July 15, 2026 - July 15, 2026

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15 Jul

Starting Your Business in Illinois

A FREE workshop to help you start your business in Illinois.

July 15, 2026 - July 15, 2026

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16 Jul

Starting A Business in IL

Thinking about starting a business in Illinois?

July 16, 2026 - July 16, 2026

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16 Jul

Export 101

A workshop providing an overview of exporting for business opportunities.

July 16, 2026 - July 16, 2026

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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
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 +1	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

Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp - May 19, 2026

Past

Join the third session of the Government Contracting Beginner’s Bootcamp to enhance your contracting skills.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections - May 19, 2026

Past

Join us for the 2026 WBDC Virtual Corporate Connections event to learn about business opportunities from our Corporate Partners. Engage in breakout sessions tailored to your industry.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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Enhancing Customer Engagement with AI: Personalization and Predictive Analytics

Past

A live training event on enhancing customer engagement with AI.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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Starting Your Business in Illinois - Pekin

Past

An in-person workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn how to start a business in Illinois.

Tue, May 19, 2026 - Tue, May 19, 2026

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