Events in the Ecosystem

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Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

01 Sep

Advantage Illinois Loan Program September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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01 Sep

AI for Small Business On-Demand Webinar - September 2026

Join the Illinois SBDC for an on-demand webinar on using AI in small business.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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01 Sep

Starting a Business in Illinois September 2026 On-Demand Webinar

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

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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01 Sep

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

An on-demand webinar designed to help entrepreneurs unlock funding for their projects through grants.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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01 Sep

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

An on-demand webinar providing knowledge and tools to write a business plan.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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01 Sep

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

An on-demand webinar equipping small business owners with essential marketing strategies.

September 1, 2026 - September 1, 2026

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02 Sep

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

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

September 2, 2026 - September 2, 2026

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06 Sep

Selling to the City of Peoria: How to Get Started and Find Opportunities

This informative webinar offers businesses insights into engaging with the City of Peoria for government contracting.

September 6, 2026 - September 6, 2026

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10 Sep

SBDC In Person/Hybrid Workshop: How to Research Your Target Market

Workshop on researching your target market for business planning.

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

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10 Sep

Legal Support for Small Businesses

Workshop connecting small business owners with legal experts for guidance on legal issues.

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

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10 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois

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

September 10, 2026 - September 10, 2026

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16 Sep

Starting Your Business in Illinois - September 16, 2026

A seminar on starting your own business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

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16 Sep

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Un taller para aprender a iniciar un negocio exitoso.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

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16 Sep

How to Start a Business in Illinois

A webinar to help entrepreneurs learn how to start a business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

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16 Sep

Starting Your Small Business in Illinois Live Seminar

A live seminar for individuals looking to start a small business in Illinois.

September 16, 2026 - September 16, 2026

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17 Sep

SBDC Live Webinar: Legal Issues for Small Business

Join the SBDC for a live webinar on legal issues for small businesses.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

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17 Sep

Starting A Business in IL

A workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to understand business startup opportunities in Illinois.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

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17 Sep

Export 101

A workshop covering a basic overview of exporting and how to take advantage of it for business expansion.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

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17 Sep

Export 101

A workshop covering the basics of exporting and international trade opportunities.

September 17, 2026 - September 17, 2026

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20 Sep

CMMC Compliance Training for Manufacturers

Join our CMMC Compliance Training designed for manufacturers to ensure you meet DoD requirements.

September 20, 2026 - September 20, 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 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

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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