Welcome to the Small Business Development Center at UW-Madison
How the SBDC Can Help During COVID-19
As we began our 40th year of supporting small-businesses owners, few could have predicted how quickly business would change in a short period of time. Like businesses across the country, we shifted to remote work in early March. Around this same time, SBDCs across the country were tasked by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to serve as local support systems for business owners through our established no-cost one-on-one consulting program. The SBA asked us to help small businesses adapt to constantly evolving crisis circumstances and to be their touchpoint for helping business owners navigate applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Paycheck Protection Program monies, and other SBA products.
Given this charge, we focused many of our efforts on one-on-one consulting. In the first 8 weeks of the crisis (as of 5/12/2020), UW-Madison SBDC consultants have:
- Seen 195 clients related to the COVID crisis
- Spent an average of 1.7 hours with those clients over multiple meetings
- Assisted clients with the process of receiving $6.17M in federal/state/local aid
In addition, we have been sending regular curated, researched newsletters to provide you with updates on policies, programs, resources, and business crisis tips. Members of our mailing list will also receive an free upcoming COVID response guide for small businesses.
As we move forward, we continue to look for opportunities to support your business. In the meantime, if you would like to connect with one of our business consultants, please complete our online request form, and a consultant will reach out to you within two business days.
Finally, the statewide Wisconsin SBDC Network is also providing some classes at no cost for COVID recovery. These classes are supported by Section 1103 CARES Act funding for entrepreneurial development.
The WI SBDC at UW-Madison provides no cost consulting and non-credit courses to help businesses from start-up through growth. In 2019 the Center saw 450 consulting clients, clients started 33 new business and obtained over $11.75 million in capital. In addition, we hosted 65 classes/events attended by 1600 people.
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
The SBDC at UW-Madison Helps you START, MANAGE & GROW Your Business!
START a Business
Are you thinking about starting a venture or are in the early stage of your business? The SBDC helps entrepreneurs like you realize the dream of starting a business. We offer entrepreneurship classes & small business consulting for new businesses.
MANAGE Your Business
From digital marketing and financial management to human resources, we help small business owners and managers learn to effectively operate.
GROW Your Leaders
Grow your leaders to take your business to the next level. Our Leadership and communications classes inspire and educate your team.
Success Stories
"I am grateful for the Small Business Development Center and attribute the continued success of my retail business to the availability of such an important resource. When meeting new entrepreneurs I recommend using their services every time. Thank you SBDC for supporting and strengthening the Madison locally owned community."
- Amy Moore, Little Luxuries
