Cohort Learning

Provided by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at WBDC, Plan for Profit offers a comprehensive training program for startup or emerging entrepreneurs learning to work on their business. Participants outline a business concept, determine market needs, identify target markets, develop marketing strategies, and learn the language of business. Learn more and apply.

Nine-Week Program | $99

The award-winning ScaleUp program assists established businesses experiencing no or slow growth patterns and sustainability issues. Entrepreneurs gain the knowledge, resources, and tools necessary to maintain a profitable business with comprehensive business development services. Participants learn about everything from break-even pricing to key performance indicators.  Learn more and apply.

Nine-Week Program | No Fee

ScaleHigher brings traditional business education, leadership skills building, and digital skills knowledge together into one cohort. Business owners will gain valuable insights from leadership coaches to build their business around their unique leadership style, and will work with storytelling experts to build a brand story and leverage it to drive sales. This cohort also includes a technology evaluation to inform decision-making. Peer-to-peer cohort learning connects a community of business owners and creates a supportive space to grow. Learn more and apply.

Ten-Week Program | No Fee

Get the Clarity, Confidence, and Roadmap to Scale Your One-on-One Business. Solopreneurs’ Mastermind Series is designed for solo business owners looking to scale their ventures. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, this mastermind series is your opportunity to make this year a breakthrough year for your business.

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Presented by the Women’s Business Center Aurora, the eCommerce cohort gives business owners the tools they need to thrive in an online world. Whether in the pre-venture stage or looking to pivot from brick and mortar, participants will gain knowledge on digital strategy, online payment platforms and more. Learn more and apply.

Six-Week Program | No Fee

Top Shelf Retail helps established businesses access procurement opportunities in the mass retail market, assisting business owners scale their products for national Big Box retailers. Participants pitch their services to a select corporate representative group that provides valuable feedback. Learn more and apply. 

Eight-Week Program | No Fee

Build the knowledge and discipline your business finances need to access the right capital, at the right time, from the right source. For six weeks, established founders will gather for an intense program curated just for you…the CEO that needs capital infusion for their company, but doesn’t know where to start finding it, asking for it, and preparing for it. Illinois Business owners will be introduced to a variety of capital options and graduate with a stronger pitch to speak to lenders and investors. Learn More!

Six-Week Program | No Fee

The Rise Up! program is designed for childcare providers that have been in business for less than two years. Program topics range from SWOT analysis to operational efficiencies.  For new businesses, advisers work with clients weekly on their business plans and financials. For existing businesses, advisers help with operations, financials, and opportunities to increase business revenue. Learn more and apply.

Six-Week Program | $60

The Elevate program is available to established licensed home providers and childcare center providers that have been in business for two or more years. It guides participants through a step-by-step process to develop a business and marketing plan, learn operational policies and procedures, and implement sound methods for managing their critical childcare business financials. Learn more and apply. 

Six-Week Program | $60

Presented by the Illinois Apex Accelerator at the WBDC, FedCon is an 8-week cohort training program for established businesses to learn how to grow their business with the Federal government as your client. This program will help you to find and target the right opportunities that offer the highest probability for your company to win a government contract. It will help you make the right connection with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) manager for your industry. It will help you understand the maze of government regulations, clauses and provisions. Learn More.

Eight-Week Program | No Fee

This six-week cohort aims to bridge the gap in our entrepreneurial education offerings, guiding pre-venture and emerging businesses towards success. The cohort will introduce fundamental business concepts and guide future and current entrepreneurs through the initial stages of setting up a business. This includes fulfilling state and IRS formalities, opening business banking accounts, drafting a business plan, preparing a pitch, and getting capital ready. Learn More.

Six-Week Program | No Fee