No-Cost Classes with the MainStreet Bounceback Technical Assistance Program
Through the Main Street Bounceback Technical Assistance Program - a partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) - we are able to offer a variety of classes and workshops this semester to eligible businesses at no cost. The Program supports operating for-profit businesses located in Wisconsin who have fewer than 500 employees.
Learn more about the program and eligibility by clicking the photo above.
Group Training Option
Have multiple entry- to mid-level team members to train? Enroll them in our open-enrollment courses below (receive a 10% discount with code SBDC10 for 2+ registrations), or learn more about our group training opportunities – on campus, on-site, or online!
More about team training options and intake form
Fall 2025 Classes
December 2025
FinanceEDGE: Turn Your Financial Data into Smart Decisions (W) – 12/8/2025
Spring 2026 Classes
February 2026
SHRM Certification Prep System Course
(IP & W) – 2/18/2026 – 4/29/26
Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP)(IP & W) -2/26/2026 – 4/10/26
March 2026
Launch Into Leadership (IP) – 3/5/2026
April 2026
Strategic Thinking & Planning (IP) – 4/14/2026
Introduction to Financial Management (LV) – 4/20/2026
Fearless Performance Management (IP) – 4/21/2026
Human Resources (HR) Basics for Non-HR Professionals (H) – 4/22/2026
Protecting Your Business Partnership: Buy-Sell Agreements (V) – 4/28/2026
May 2026
Business Taxes 101: Navigating Self-Employment and Small-Business Taxes (W) – 5/5/2026
Intermediate Financial Management (V) – 5/12/2026
July 2026
Learning ot Lead Series: Maximizing Your Leadership Potential (IP) – 7/23/2026
Learning to Lead Series: Communication & Delegation Skills(IP) – 7/30/2026
August 2026
Learning to Lead Series: Positive Power Plays: Skills for Conflict & Negotiation(IP) – 8/6/2026
Forward Fest 2026
Demystifying the Pro Forma: Building Financial Projections – 8/19/2026
Practical Tools for Kickstarting your GTM – 8/20/2026
Commercial Real Estate Leasing 101 – 8/21/2026
September 2026
I’m Doing Everything! How Value Planning Reduces Panic and Builds Value (V) – 9/24/26
First Steps to Starting a Business - Available any time!
Thinking about starting a business? Start here! This FREE, interactive course helps you navigate where you are in the process of starting a business in terms of your entrepreneurial mindset, your business idea, financial readiness, and next steps.
SBDC Entrepreneurial How-To Video Series
These custom videos cover business FAQs, such as: accounting, creating financial projections, LLCs & corporations, trademarks & copyrights, common ways to fund your small business, getting a business loan, and more!
SBDC Class Categories
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 resources.
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 build your leadership toolbox.
Mainstreet Bounceback Program
Indicates the course is supported by the Mainstreet Bounceback Program – we are able to offer this class/workshop this semester to eligible businesses at no cost!
Course formats include:
- Webinars (noted with a W) – shorter, virtual sessions offering a broad overview of a topic, or a narrow focus.
- Live Virtual (noted with an LV) – deeper-dive online sessions with a live instructor and engagement opportunities.
- In-Person (noted with an IP) – located at the Wisconsin School of Business – on UW-Madison’s campus – unless otherwise noted.
- Hybrid (noted with an H) – may include in person & online components, or an either-or option. Read course description for more details.
Now Available! The Beginner’s Guide to Financial Projections
Whether you are looking to fund your startup, purchase a business, or start a new project, this course helps you identify the numerical inputs you will need to create financial projections and how those inputs connect with your business plan.
The course features:
● Beginner-friendly content – written for non-accountants!
● Detailed explanations of the key financial inputs you’ll need to create effective projections.
● Narrative and full financials from two case-study business owners, who talk you through how they built their projections.
● A custom workbook to help you apply the concepts you are learning to your own business.
The Wisconsin SBDC Network is a proud part of the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship within the Universities of Wisconsin.
It is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The Wisconsin SBDC at UW-Madison helps entrepreneurs succeed at any stage. We offer no-cost, confidential consulting and business education across a wide region, primarily serving Dane, Sauk, and Columbia counties. SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US.
Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact us at sbdc@bus.wisc.edu or call (608) 263-2221.