Virtual
Calendar of Events
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Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success
Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success
WBDC’s Road to Success four-week Bootcamp provides entrepreneurs with the essential tools to build and grow sustainable businesses. Our Road to Success Bootcamp is a prerequisite which lays the foundation for business setup and planning fundamentals. After completion of the bootcamp and all its assignments, graduates are invited to join our Road to Success Cohort,...
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SAGE Advice Chicago Information Session
SAGE Advice Chicago Information Session
Thanks to everyone who joined! Watch our Information Session here. Password: 0P#Ncb9i Not sure if The SAGE Advice Program: Strategies to Advance and Grow Enterprises is right for you? Join our NO COST info session to get all your questions answered! SAGE Advice is a dynamic, hands-on initiative designed to empower women-owned small businesses to grow...
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Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success
Emerging & Pre-Venture Bootcamp | Road to Success
WBDC’s Road to Success four-week Bootcamp provides entrepreneurs with the essential tools to build and grow sustainable businesses. Our Road to Success Bootcamp is a prerequisite which lays the foundation for business setup and planning fundamentals. After completion of the bootcamp and all its assignments, graduates are invited to join our Road to Success Cohort,...
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Elevate Spring 2026 | Application Deadline
Our Elevate cohort is designed for established licensed home providers and childcare center providers that have been in business for two or more years and are ready to grow strategically. Participants work with experts to identify growth opportunities, enhance capacity, and position their businesses for long term, sustainable expansion. Through the Elevate Cohort, participants will...
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2026 Top Shelf Retail: High Volume Growth Insights | Application Deadline
The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) is proud to present Top Shelf Retail: High Volume Retail Growth Insights. This cohort is an eight-week, curriculum based virtual cohort program designed to help established retail businesses access procurement opportunities in the mass retail market. Participants will learn how to build pricing, branding, and marketing strategies, and how...
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2 events,
Government Contracts Webinar
Government Contracts Webinar
FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS ONLY. Introduction to Government Contracting Government contracting can be a powerful growth path for small businesses, but many owners don’t know where to start. This workshop breaks the process down in simple, practical steps—helping you understand how government agencies buy products and services, what qualifications you need. You’ll learn the key terminology,...
Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 1
Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 1
This interactive 2-part series is designed for WBENC WBEs who want to make sure they are using their WBE Certification to the fullest. Session 1 is Navigating Corporate Procurement Programs, WBENCLink2.0. and how to effectively market your business using the tool of certification
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How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality
How to Start your Childcare Business: From Vision to Reality
Are you ready to turn your passion for caring for children into a thriving business? Whether you're planning to open a home daycare or launch a childcare center, this one-hour webinar will guide you through the essential steps to get started with confidence. Session Overview Led by industry experts, this session will cover: Licensing and...
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Financial Bootcamp | Spring 2026
Financial Bootcamp | Spring 2026
Get Your Finances Organized and Ready for Capital & Growth Are your business finances out of shape? Hesitant to apply for a loan because you’re not sure what lenders expect? Then it’s time for Financial Bootcamp—the place where Illinois business owners build financial confidence, clarity, and control. Over six powerful weeks, you’ll gain the essential...
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WBE Onboarding
WBE Onboarding
Newly certified as a WBENC WBE, or wanting a refresher about how the WBDC and WBENC networks work? Join us for this free 45-minute webinar. Please note that this program is aimed at companies who are WBE certified, not those thinking about getting certified.
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Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 2
Essentials of Leveraging Your WBENC WBE Certification – Session 2
This interactive 2-part series is designed for WBENC WBEs who want to make sure they are using their WBE Certification to the fullest. Session 2 will focus on your Capability Statement - a one page profile of your firm’s unique value proposition, showcasing your competencies, achievements, and differentiators.
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WBE Certification: Know Before You Apply
WBE Certification: Know Before You Apply
This one-hour workshop is for those who are interested in learning more about WBENC’s Women Business Enterprise (WBE) certification. Topics will range from types of certification to documents required for the WBE application.
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Capital Readiness 101
Capital Readiness 101
Capital readiness means your business is positioned to weather financial challenges, adapt to changing market conditions and take advantage of expansion opportunities. This session is a must for any businessowner hoping to acquire external capital, including grants, lines of credit, credit cards and/or term loans. Please join Women’s Business Development Center Director Emma Westfall for...
The Growth Lab | Pilot Episode
The Growth Lab | Pilot Episode
We are excited to introduce something brand new from WBDC: The Growth Lab. The Growth Lab is a dynamic advisory series where entrepreneurs bring their real business challenges to a panel of experienced advisors and subject matter experts. In each session, one founder takes the "hotseat," sharing the questions keeping them up at night while our panel...
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Adopting a Digital Mindset Webinar
Adopting a Digital Mindset Webinar
FOR IL RESIDENTS ONLY. As a small business owner, you recognize the many challenges that come with a fast-changing landscape like reaching new clients, ensuring data security, improving efficiency, and just keeping up with the latest trends in technology. It can feel overwhelming with all the different digital tools and solutions available, but by having...
Direct Lending Program Information Session
Direct Lending Program Information Session
Securing capital may be an important step in fueling your business’ growth. The Access to Capital team is holding an information session on the Direct Lending Program, an alternative capital option for good businesses and owners with less-than-perfect credit history. Join us for an informational webinar to learn more about the Direct Lending Program, borrower...
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