The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and business education. Our regional expertise is easily accessible at numerous locations across the state.
Helping with any goal at any stage
Start Your Business
There’s a lot to figure out when you want to launch your idea into reality: How do I figure out my business plan and business model? Who are my clients? When will I be ready for a loan? What is my marketing and sales strategy? Entrepreneurs can find answers with the Wisconsin SBDC. Our consultants and classes, available at UW campuses and other locations across the state, offer a competitive advantage. Clients in our Entrepreneurial Training Program are twice as likely to start a business.
Improve and Grow Your Business
Entrepreneurship is a skill set you never stop building. Our expertise goes beyond startups to operational improvement and growth strategies. We help businesses work more efficiently. And that positions them for innovation and expansion: New products/services. New locations. New markets. Many of our consultants have been small business owners themselves, and all of them are ready to guide you through your next steps.
Finance Your Business
The SBDC’s focus on financials puts small business owners in control of what can be otherwise be confusing or overwhelming: Money management. The SBDC offers tools and training to help clients apply for loans, manage cash flow, calculate financial projections and cut costs. That, paired with strong relationships with local and regional lenders, yields higher success rates and more capital investment in our communities.
Do a Deep Dive with Our Specialists
The SBDC has many topics that are covered by our statewide specialists. Visit the Initiative webpages to learn more.
Available where and when you need us
The Wisconsin SBDC Network is your local gateway to business resources. Most of our centers are located on UW campuses; all of them are accessible in ways that work for you: in person, phone, email, web-conferencing, e-learning. The SBDC also opens a wider connection to the entrepreneurial support system. We work closely with economic development organizations, financial institutions, resource partners and other organizations at the local and state levels to put forward the best combination of services and experts. Not sure where to start? Call our Business AnswerLine or fill out our quick form.
Contact the Small Business Development Center
Not sure where to start? Contact Wisconsin SBDC Network to be connected to a consultant for no cost, confidential consulting.
Colleen Merril
Interim State Director
Colleen specializes in creative financial packages, strategy planning, startups and connecting to resources. She maintains a workplace that is fast paced, fun, collaborative and always looking for ways to innovate and improve. Watching clients achieve their dreams through hard work and dedication is one of her favorite aspects of the job.
Gina Ferraro
Business Affairs Director
One aspect of her job Gina really enjoys is working with a great team because she feels you can accomplish so much more when you work together. Projects become especially meaningful to Gina when they help translate abstract numbers into a concrete value.