Small Business Development Center-University of Wisconsin River Falls

06/22/2026

The Marquett Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic is a great resource for new entrepreneurs. This clinic provides legal services to entreprenuers pro bono, helping them navigate the legalities of starting and running a business. Check them out today!

The Program The LEC is a clinical program at Marquette University Law School. It operates as an independent law office staffed by LEC Director Nathan Hammons and law students. Participating students earn academic credit as they counsel entrepreneurial clients under the close supervision of the clini...

06/19/2026

On June 26th, the River Falls Chamber of Commerce will be hosting ridging Business and Talent: Building the Next Generation Workforce at the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center. This event will help local businesses connect with new talent. Learn more about this event today!

We invite you to join us on June 26 from 8:00 9:00 a.m. at the St. Croix Valley Business Center for a focused and forward-thinking workshop, Bridging Business and Talent: Building the Next Generation Workforce. This interactive session is designed to help local businesses explore practical, real-wor...

06/12/2026

Check out this free business plan contest!

"Launch Wisconsin, formerly the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is accepting entries online for the 2026 competition until 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2026.

The Wisconsin Technology Council produces the contest to encourage entrepreneurs statewide in the startup stages of tech-based businesses. It links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, management talent and possible sources of capital.

Over time, the contest has led to valuable exposure for each year’s top business plans while spurring company and job growth in Wisconsin. In 2025, finalists shared about $180,000 in cash and service prizes. The contest’s major sponsors include the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

For their initial entries, contestants will submit an executive summary online at launchwisconsin.biz. Contestants will also find business plan templates, startup information, networking contacts and technical resources from a mix of state and national resources on the website."

Read more below!
https://launchwisconsin.biz/

06/10/2026

Join us on September 9, 2026 for the first session of the next Online Marketing Bootcamp! This program is a great opportunity to learn about marketing effectively and growing your business.

What Is This Program About?
Being found online is critical for businesses with or without a physical location. But having a digital footprint is not enough – to remain competitive, a business needs a highly leveraged, optimized digital presence supported by a strategic, targeted plan and SEO. The Online Marketing Boot Camp can help.

This is the first of 5 weekly consecutive sessions . The dates are 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 and October 7 from 5:00-6:30pm.

You will learn how to make the most of your online presence, leverage social platforms and sales funnels to get people into your business or online store ready to do business with you.

***Please only register if you are available and plan to attend, so the provided funding can assist as many small business owners as possible.***

Fee: ~~$399.00~~ *WEDC will cover registration cost of the class*

Learn More and Register:

This 5-week online course will grow your online presence and increase revenue by giving you actionable strategies and valuable feedback.

06/09/2026

The US Small Business Administration is hosting pitch competition with a prize pool on $1 million! This competition, celebrating the innovation and ambition which fueled American ingenuity over the last 250 years, is open to small businesses of all sectors. Submit your pitch before June 10th at 11:59pm to have a shot at winning $1 million and being a part of the Freedom 250 initiatives and celebrations in Washington, D.C.!

06/05/2026

Check out this free business plan contest!

"Launch Wisconsin, formerly the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, is accepting entries online for the 2026 competition until 11:59 p.m. Monday, June 15, 2026.

The Wisconsin Technology Council produces the contest to encourage entrepreneurs statewide in the startup stages of tech-based businesses. It links up-and-coming entrepreneurs with a statewide network of community resources, expert advice and mentoring, management talent and possible sources of capital.

Over time, the contest has led to valuable exposure for each year’s top business plans while spurring company and job growth in Wisconsin. In 2025, finalists shared about $180,000 in cash and service prizes. The contest’s major sponsors include the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.

For their initial entries, contestants will submit an executive summary online at launchwisconsin.biz. Contestants will also find business plan templates, startup information, networking contacts and technical resources from a mix of state and national resources on the website."

Read more below!

https://launchwisconsin.biz/

06/03/2026

Hi Tec Fabrication Championship knows small business success isn't a solo effort. He thanked -SBDC-Network and as well as his dedicated staff, and other mentors for helping his business grow.

https://buff.ly/RkEacHd

When Dan Rankin purchased Hi Tec Fabrication, he knew he could preserve the integrity and value of the small business and help it diversify and grow.

06/01/2026

Check out all the events we have happening this Fall! Register today before the spots fill up!

ETP: https://businessentrepreneurship.zohobackstage.com/EntrepreneurialTrainingProgramInPerson-10Sessions

Online Marketing Bootcamp: https://businessentrepreneurship.zohobackstage.com/OnlineMarketingBootcamp-UWRF-Session11

05/29/2026

UWRF is offering a FREE Small Business AI Clinic! Work with professors and students to determine how you can benefit from and leverage AI tools and resources. For example, you could learn how to use chatbots to respond to FAQs/inquiries, create content for social media, or automate and organize your emails. Fill out intake form below to get started!

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Z_ixGPAtoEaK0wXIYADDAZiVzdwEKHZGgmuOmmMUuDtUQUJRUzdVQllUUDlXWlFNMjBQNlJHQUVYRSQlQCN0PWcu&route=shorturl

05/27/2026

The next Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP) is happening September 8th! Join us at 5:30pm for the start of this 10-week program. Throughout the ETP you will narrow out the fine details of your business (from target markets to financial projections), network and learn from other business owners, prepare for the challenges your business may face, and more. Whether you are just starting up or have been working on your business for a long time, the ETP is a beneficial resource that will help you to map out your business and drive business growth. Learn more and register for this program today!

https://businessentrepreneurship.zohobackstage.com/EntrepreneurialTrainingProgramInPerson-10Sessions

"I so appreciate the connections and wisdom I gained over the past three months. I feel much more confident in operating my business now, which is just what I hoped for!" - Morgan A, River Falls

This program is designed for entrepreneurs, at any phase, to create a vetted written business plan and three years of financial projections.