Illinois Small Business Development Center at Western Illinois University

06/15/2026

Funding Opportunity for Small Businesses

We are sharing this opportunity for informational purposes only. Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is offering eligible small businesses the chance to apply for a $10,000 grant.

Please review all eligibility requirements, deadlines, and program details directly through the official program website.

⚠️ We are not affiliated with this grant program, do not administer the funds, and cannot guarantee eligibility or funding awards.

Learn more and apply here:

Verizon, in partnership with LISC, will award $10,000 grants throughout the year. Complete any two eligible courses or events to unlock your application. Submit it anytime in 2026 and remain eligible all year.

06/04/2026

📱 Ready to make your business easier to find online?

Join Sebastian Mireles for “Get Found on Facebook”, a practical workshop designed for small business owners who want to increase their visibility, reach more customers, and make the most of Facebook marketing.

Learn actionable strategies from Sebastian Mireles, Program & Operations Manager at the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and take your social media presence to the next level.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Small business focused
✅ Actionable marketing tips

05/27/2026

🚀250 years of ingenuity. One opportunity to win part of the $1M cash prize pool!
Join the SBA competition, a nationwide search for high-potential innovators who have
used SBA capital.
What’s at stake?
💵Cash prizes to fuel your growth
Engagement with SBA leadership
A chance to pitch live in Washington, D.C.
Check your eligibility and submit your pitch by June 10: https://www.sba.gov/freedom250

05/26/2026

🚀 Calling all small businesses and entrepreneurs!

The Illinois SBDC at WIU QC is excited to share the new SBA Patriot Pitch Competition, part of the Freedom 250 celebration — an incredible opportunity for eligible small businesses to compete for a share of $1 MILLION in cash prizes.

If your business has a powerful story, innovative ideas, and big goals, this could be your chance to gain national exposure and funding.

📌 Submit your pitch and learn more at sba.gov/freedom250

Let your business voice be heard and showcase the innovation driving our communities forward! 🇺🇸

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary For 250 years, small businesses have powered innovation, created opportunity, and strengthened local communities. Main Street Builds America – and through Freedom 250, SBA is honoring that legacy while investing in the next generation of builders, makers, ...

05/22/2026

We are honored to have been part of the 10-year anniversary celebration of Mercado on Fifth, where we were recognized for our continued work supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs in our community.

This award reflects the commitment, resilience, and growth of the small business owners we serve every day. We are deeply grateful to all of our clients, partners, and the minority communities whose trust and support make this work possible.

05/19/2026

🚀 Ready to grow your business with Illinois colleges and universities?

Join the FREE webinar hosted by Illinois APEX Accelerator and Western Illinois University to learn the step-by-step process of becoming an approved vendor.

📅 June 3rd
⏰ 11:00 A.M. CST
💻 Online Event | No Cost to Attend

Topics include:
✔️ Finding contracting opportunities
✔️ Becoming vendor ready
✔️ Registrations and certifications
✔️ Illinois certification program updates
✔️ Live Q&A session

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your business and connect with educational institutions across Illinois! 🎓📈

05/04/2026

https://rsvp.withgoogle.com/events/nsbw_2026

Don’t miss this opportunity!!!

04/27/2026

https://www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week/virtual-summit

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a free virtual summit Tuesday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 6. The summit will include co-sponsor workshops on AI, e-commerce, financing, and other important business topics.

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04/27/2026

Celebrating Small Business Week! 🎉

At the IL SBDC at WIU, we’re proud to support the entrepreneurs and small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs, and strengthen our local communities. This week, we recognize your hard work, resilience, and dedication to turning ideas into success.

04/24/2026

Today we hosted a valuable Financial Education Workshop in partnership with Ascentra Credit Union, the IL SBDC at WIU Quad Cities, and the Padres Mentores Program 💼📊

Thank you to everyone who participated and took an important step toward a stronger financial future. We’re proud to continue empowering our community through knowledge!