About Us

Who We Are:

The nationwide SBDC network was established in 1980 by the Small Business Administration in 1980 with legislation written by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Since that time, our office – and SBDC offices across the state – have supported thousands of entrepreneurs across industries through individual consulting and educational classes.

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is part of a statewide network of SBDCs working to facilitate business growth and improvement and to launch successful new companies. Through no-cost consulting and affordable entrepreneurial education, SBDC experts serve as resources for small and emerging mid-size companies.

The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship in the Universities of Wisconsin and is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Whether you want help with the skills of starting, running or growing a business, the UW-Madison’s Small Business Development Center is your business education resource. We work with startups and established businesses across industries and with up to 500 employees.

What We Do

Classes for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

We offer a full range of non-credit business classes for startups and established companies. Our classes are an excellent value, offered at convenient times and are taught by experts. The content is readily applicable to your business.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact the UW-Madison SBDC office at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu to request accommodations or to ask general questions about the SBDC, classes and consulting.

Business Consulting

Our Consultants work one-on-one with you to develop your business plan, solve operational issues, and prepare for growth.

Request Business Consultation Here

Why Choose the SBDC at UW-Madison?

In addition to the thousands of clients across industries we’ve seen over the years, we support a culture of innovation. See what we’ve been up to!

The Digital Communications & Administrative Associates at the UW–Madison Small Business Development Center are UW–Madison students who help advance the SBDC’s mission by maintaining clear communication and strong organization. They assist with digital content, manage administrative tasks, and help keep daily operations running smoothly. Their work helps the SBDC serve entrepreneurs across Wisconsin in a consistent and professional way.

The APC Interns at the UW–Madison Small Business Development Center are UW–Madison students who support the SBDC’s mission by assisting entrepreneurs as they start and grow their businesses. They gain hands-on experience by preparing client financial statements and projections, supporting SBDC counselors during client meetings, and helping clients understand the financing and lending process. Through this work, APC Interns build strong financial and communication skills while helping the SBDC serve clients across a wide range of industries in a professional and reliable way.