Build a Strong Foundation with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Madison
The WI SBDC at UW-Madison provides no-cost consulting and non-credit courses to help businesses from start-up through growth. In 2022, the Center:
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- saw 423 consulting clients
- helped clients obtain over $11.98 million in capital
- helped 26 new businesses start
- worked directly with clients for 1,160 hours
- supported 1,472 jobs in Wisconsin
- hosted 40 classes and webinars attended by 696 participants
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The Small Business Development Centers were established by the Small Business Administration in 1980 with legislation written by WI Senator Gaylord Nelson. The mission of the WI SBDC is to provide education, referrals, sophisticated tools and resources to help businesses evolve while delivering value to our stakeholders. Our staff works a hybrid schedule, with our general office hours being 8:30-4:30, Monday – Friday except federal holidays. Please schedule an appointment before arriving. For more information about our location and parking on campus, visit our FAQ page.
Please call 608-263-2221 or email sbdc@bus.wisc.edu if you need assistance. For the most up-to-date information about business resources, upcoming programs, and more, join our mailing list.
For the most up-to-date information about business resources, upcoming programs, and more, join our mailing list.
The SBDC at UW-Madison Helps you START, MANAGE & GROW Your Business!
Starting a New Business?
START classes focus on helping you through the earliest stages of starting a business, from early ideation to business basics and creating a feasible business plan.
Operationalizing Your Business?
MANAGE classes help you navigate the changes that arise when you begin to operationalize your work, generally within years 1-4 of operating. These classes include topics like financial management, marketing, and human
Building Leadership?
GROW classes help your aspiring and emerging leaders build practical skills to support your team. Whether you are hiring your own employees or transitioning to a leadership role in a larger organization, these classes help you bu
Success Stories
I am seriously so grateful for ETP and everything I learned from the SBDC. I would not have developed such a strong business plan or secured a traditional commercial loan without that class. I also wouldn’t have been as well prepared to deal with all the challenges and potential pitfalls of starting and running a business. I felt like the course really set me up for success.
--Kari Bartlett, Owner, Blue Highway Lodge
[My consultant] Amy has been amazing. [When I was building our space], she helped me get insight into the banker’s mind. I made the phone calls, but she was there as a sounding board and my cheerleader... On one phone call, I said, it’s been so hard, I literally just need to plan the next seven days, and she helped me set an achievable goal when I couldn’t see the end in sight.
- Brittany Ballweg, Dolphin Swim Academy
Partner Programs
The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship in the University of Wisconsin System.
It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.