Your connection to statewide business assistance

IBE Programs – Connecting You to Wisconsin’s Economic Ecosystem

Through five distinct program units, the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship is providing specialized resources and helping clients craft personalized plans to start and grow their businesses. We’re Wisconsin’s hub for specialized resources — many at no cost — to help our clients grow their businesses. You have ideas. We have experience. We’re reliable, impartial and we’ll work at your pace. You’ll build competitive advantage. You’ll expand and scale up in good hands. And ultimately, we’ll help Wisconsin prosper. Together. We’re here to help businesses stand out and get ahead to perform at their highest levels.

Helping you at any stage with any opportunity or challenge

The business world can feel daunting. We’re here with you, every step of the way. Wisconsin SBDC is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education. Our impartial, expert consultants guide clients through business planning for startups, loans and financing, management and strategic planning and marketing and sales.

Get guidance on how to start or grow YOUR business:

No-cost, Confidential Consulting »

First Steps »

Entrepreneurial Training Program »

Where to start in this complex landscape? Center for Technology Commercialization has a specific and simple mission: to guide clients through the funding process and organizational development for their new innovative businesses. CTC helps them evaluate the efficacy of their idea, plan a business model and funding strategy and apply for state and federal funding to turn business dreams into reality.

Get guidance on how to develop an idea for commercialization and secure crucial funding:

Ideadvance »

SBIR Advance »

SBIR Ready »

SBIR/STTR Assistance Microgrants »

Unprecedented change in the food industry is rapidly raising the bar for all food and value-added farm enterprises. The Food Finance Institute helps equip entrepreneurs and the people that work with them with tools to get profitable and raise money. FFI is the hub for a collaborative network of partners that offer training, resources, tools and mentorship to food businesses. Their expert consultants guide and accommodate our clients all the way to the grocery store.

Get guidance on how to develop a food business from idea to grocery store:

Financial Management Bootcamp »

Food and Beverage Consultants »

Consultant Training »

The Business Dynamics Research Consortium (BRDC) tracks local economic trends across the US. Use our data to compare communities for your startup or expansion or understand trends in the locations and number of jobs of your competitors and/or B2B customers.

Learn more about how we can help your business gain economic info you need to succeed:

Business Services »

We’ve Been There and Now We’re Here for You

Our expert consultants have been in your shoes. They’ve helped countless entrepreneurs with every problem you can imagine — and a few you can’t. Our statewide network includes the UW System, 13 regional Small Business Development Centers, economic developers and financiers. And our clients. Explore and join this valuable network whose focus is expanding Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through small business support.