Events in the Ecosystem

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Check out pitch competitions, workshops, and meetups here.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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02 Nov

Brandsformation

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

November 2, 2026 - November 2, 2026

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02 Nov

Legal Support for Small Businesses

Workshop for small business owners to gain legal support.

November 2, 2026 - November 2, 2026

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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

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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

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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

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18 Nov

Starting a business in Illinois

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

November 18, 2026 - November 18, 2026

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19 Nov

Starting A Business in IL

A workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn about starting a business in Illinois.

November 19, 2026 - November 19, 2026

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20 Nov

SBA Loans: What a Borrower Needs to Know 2026 - Recording

An online seminar for small businesses on understanding SBA loans and funding options.

November 20, 2026 - November 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

The Growth Lab | Episode 2

Past

Join Episode 2 of The Growth Lab, where entrepreneurs share their challenges and receive expert advice. Don't miss this opportunity for valuable insights.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Businesses

Past

A cybersecurity webinar designed for small businesses featuring essential fundamentals and best practices.

Wed, May 27, 2026

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Capital Readiness 101 - 2026-05-27

Past

Learn how to prepare your business for external capital acquisition in this essential session on capital readiness.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Sales vs. Marketing

Past

A training event to understand the differences between Sales and Marketing.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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SBDC Small Business Week Event: Retail Readiness - Getting Your Product on the Shelf

Past

A focused workshop helping small businesses prepare their products for retail success.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Starting a Business in Illinois

Past

A workshop to help aspiring entrepreneurs in Illinois start their businesses with confidence.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Before the Business: Building Your Founder's Mindset

Past

A workshop to help aspiring founders evaluate their readiness to start a business.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Shield. Sharpen. Scale: AI Strategy for Small Business

Past

Learn how to navigate the AI landscape with a strategy for small business growth.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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AI Strategy for Small Business - Smart Brand System

Past

A training session on AI strategies for small business growth.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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EXPORT NOW Bootcamp

Past

A FREE 2-day hands-on training for agribusinesses to explore international markets.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Creating Your Capability Statement

Past

A virtual workshop to create your capability statement.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Starting Your Business in Illinois - May 27th, 2026

Past

Learn about starting your own business with this online seminar.

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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Starting a business in Illinois

Past

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

Wed, May 27, 2026 - Wed, May 27, 2026

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