Celebrating National Small Business Week: Empowering Wisconsin's Entrepreneurs

In honor of National Small Business Week, we're spotlighting the wealth of resources available across Wisconsin designed to support small businesses—especially those owned by minorities, women, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. Whether you're launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, these programs offer the tools, funding, and connections you need to thrive.

WEDC collaborates with various organizations to provide financial and operational assistance, networking opportunities, and more to diversely owned businesses. Key partners include the Latino Chambers of Commerce, African American Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, and First American Capital Corp.

Featured Programs:

• Start In Wisconsin: An online directory of business and networking resources, along with a calendar of entrepreneur-focused events. https://wedc.org/innovate-in-wisconsin/start-in-wisconsin/
• MARKETPLACE Wisconsin: An annual diverse business development conference offering connections and growth strategies.
• Business Development Tax Credit: Provides refundable tax credits for companies expanding or relocating in Wisconsin.
• Industrial Revenue Bonds: Offers unique revenue bonds organized by state or local governments for private, for-profit businesses.
• Enterprise Zone Tax Credit: Tax credits for businesses in designated areas to encourage economic development.

Additional Resources:

• The Business Council (TBC)​ is a membership organization designed to assist minority business enterprises in scaling by offering targeted programming, education, and advocacy alongside our partner organizations and corporate members seeking to diversify their spend or achieve their supplier diversity goals.  ​​
• ​Small B​usin​ess Association (SBA)​ - In addition to their loan programs, SBA has trainings on growing and sustaining businesses.
• Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)​ - Focused on women-owned businesses, WWBIC offers development opportunities for growth strategies, loans, and financial knowledge. 
• Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) - WEDC provides many financial development opportunities to businesses as well as support for entrepreneurs and training programs.
• Wisconsin Procurement Ins​titute (WPI) - WPI assists Wisconsin businesses compete in the government markets. WPI works with existing and new business to strengthen the defense and government industrial base by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains. WPI provides Wisconsin business a broad range of technical assistance.​
• Wisconsin's Department of Transportation's (WisDOT) Office of Business Opportunity and Equity Compliance (OBO​EC)​ - In addition to certifying diverse suppliers, OBOEC offers a mentor/mentee program, networking events, and other training opportunities.​

• Ethnic and Diverse Business Coalition (EDBC) ​- EDBC helps with overall business development and training.
• National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) - Wisconsin Chapter​​ - Especially focusing on contracts and business done with the government, NAMC offers opportunities for business development training.
• North Central Minority ​Supplier Devel​opment Council (NCMSDC) - NCMSDC offers a certification program, developmental opportunities for businesses, connections with other companies, and advocates for minority businesses.
• Small Bus​iness Development Center​​ (SBDC) - A program from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, SBDC helps with starting, managing, and growing businesses.

Diverse Chambers

Chambers are a great way to network and develop your business with the help of a nonprofit in niche areas. If you need help with completing the application or business development in general, consider contacting a Chamber.

• African American Chamber of Commerce - Greater Milwaukee
• American​ Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin ​(AICCW - FACC)​*​​​
• Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce*
• Latino Entrepreneurial Network ​of Southeastern Wisconsin*​
• Madison Black Chamber of Commerce​*
• Madison Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County*​
• National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC)​*
• Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce​*
• ​​Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce​
• Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce​*
• ​​​​Wisconsin Veteran's Chamber of Commerce*

These organizations offer support tailored to their communities, including assistance with certification applications and business development.

Wisconsin is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all entrepreneurs. Take advantage of these resources to propel your business forward.