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

Adopting a Digital Mindset - Workshop on 2026-05-20

Past

Learn about the importance of a digital mindset for small businesses and how to choose the right tools for growth.

Wed, May 20, 2026

The Fractional Hype – Executive-Level Expertise Without the Full-Time Cost

Past

Discover how fractional executives can provide essential leadership and support for your business without the full-time commitment.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

Childcare Collaborative

Past

Participate in the Childcare Collaborative program designed for childcare providers. This monthly event focuses on business growth and offers valuable resources and networking opportunities.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

APEX Live Webinar: Introducing CLEATUS APEX Lite — Free for APEX Clients

Past

An exclusive webinar introducing CLEATUS APEX Lite free for APEX clients.

Wed, May 20, 2026

Market Your Business with Social Media

Past

This is a virtual workshop focused on marketing your business through social media.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

Building Marketing Assets Faster- Grow with Google

Past

Learn to create marketing assets faster in this online workshop.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

From Access to Scale: Supplier Diversity, Procurement, and AAPI Entrepreneurship

Past

A panel discussion focused on supplier diversity and AAPI entrepreneurship, hosted by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

Starting Your Business in Illinois

Past

A free workshop on starting a business in Illinois for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

SBDC Live Webinar: Legal Issues for Small Business

Past

Join the SBDC Live Webinar to learn about legal issues for small businesses.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

Grant Preparation 101 - Live online seminar

Past

An online seminar focused on grant preparation processes.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

How to Start a Business in Illinois

Past

A live webinar designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of starting a business in Illinois.

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026

Comenzando un Negocio en IL

Past

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

Wed, May 20, 2026 - Wed, May 20, 2026