Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Madison

06/10/2026

Have a business idea you’re ready to explore—or need a refresh on the fundamentals?

Biz Smart Sprint is a live, virtual six-week course designed to introduce aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs to the core building blocks of starting and running a business.

Participants will learn practical frameworks like the Business Model Canvas, how to understand customers and markets, develop a marketing strategy, navigate legal and operational considerations, and build financial confidence. This course is ideal for new entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and anyone evaluating the feasibility of a new idea.

Dates: July 9 – August 13, 2026
Time: 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Location: Live virtual (Zoom)
Registration: Summer 2026

Register here: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/biz-smart-sprint/

06/08/2026

AI is moving fast—but Cambridge was ready to dig in.

Last week, Program Manager Heather Ferguson joined entrepreneurs, business professionals, and community members at an event hosted by Collaborative 523 Inc. This session explored how AI can be used thoughtfully and strategically in small businesses.

Together, participants moved beyond the hype to explore practical questions like: When should I use AI? When shouldn't I? How do I get better results? And how do I stay the expert in the process?

From understanding AI tools, chatbots, agents, and prompt engineering fundamentals to exploring context engineering, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and Custom GPTs, attendees worked through a realistic business case study to see both the potential—and the limitations—of AI in action.

One of the biggest takeaways? AI works best when paired with human expertise. The conversations, questions, and insights shared throughout the evening reinforced the importance of staying the "human in the loop" and using AI as a collaborator rather than a replacement.

We loved the energy, curiosity, and willingness to experiment. The future of AI won't be built by the technology alone—it will be shaped by people who are willing to learn, test, question, and apply it thoughtfully.

Wisconsin SBDC Network Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship

06/03/2026

Are you building a tech-enabled startup in Wisconsin?

Launch Wisconsin is now accepting entries through June 15, 2026. Formerly known as the Governor’s Business Plan Contest, this free competition helps connect startup-stage entrepreneurs with mentors, expert feedback, entrepreneurial resources, and potential funding opportunities.

Participants receive feedback from experienced judges throughout the competition, and finalists will compete for a share of more than $150,000 in cash and in-kind prizes.

Produced by the Wisconsin Technology Council and a growing network of partners, and led by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the contest seeks to support innovation and entrepreneurship across Wisconsin.

Learn more and apply at: https://launchwisconsin.biz/

Launch Wisconsin contest engages contestants in a five-month process that includes the opportunity to work with mentors and receive feedback from judges.

05/28/2026

Not sure how to create financial projections for your business?

This free, interactive online course walks you through the basics of financial projections and the inputs you need to evaluate your business idea or seek funding.

The course includes an overview and five short chapters, along with real-world case studies that show how business ideas translate into financial documents used by lenders. A downloadable workbook helps you apply each lesson to your own business, and the on-demand format lets you learn at your own pace!

Online, On Demand, Available Anytime, Free!

Link in Bio: https://projections.sbdc.wisc.edu/

05/21/2026

Thinking about starting a business but not sure where to begin?

This free, interactive online class helps you explore your business idea and assess your readiness for entrepreneurship. You’ll evaluate your strengths, skills, and financial preparedness while learning what information you need and where to find it. With hands-on exercises, worksheets, and real entrepreneur stories, this session is designed to help you clarify your next steps with confidence.

Location: Online (on demand)
Schedule: Available anytime!
Free!

Find the Class Here: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/the-first-steps-to-starting-a-business/

05/02/2026

Through practical examples, case studies, and hands-on exercises, our 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 course led by Victoria Thayer, CPA, CEO and Founder of Novii CPA, will strengthen your ability to interpret financial results, identify strengths and red flags, and connect day-to-day operations to long-term outcomes.

Register today: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/financial-management/

04/30/2026

Business ownership brings with it the critical responsibility of understanding and managing business taxes.

While not an individualized tax planning session, our 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝟭𝟬𝟭: 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 course will leave you feeling much more confident in:

☑ Understanding your tax obligations.
☑ Navigating the tax filing process.
☑ Implementing effective record-keeping strategies.

Learn how to manage your money today: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/manage-your-business/business-taxes-101-a-beginners-guide-to-navigating-self-employment-and-small-business-taxes/

04/27/2026

Business partnerships evolve, and eventually, they end. A strong buy-sell agreement ensures that when a transition happens, it's clear and fair.

This class walks you through what your agreement should include, how valuation decisions are made, and why planning before someone leaves the business makes for a smoother transition.

Learn more & register today: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/buy-sell/

04/23/2026

It's no secret that taxes can be intimidating. That's why we partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to host a seminar for new small business owners on navigating Wisconsin tax laws.

Learn more and register: https://sbdc.wisc.edu/tax-seminar-new-biz/