Support, Training and Peers Come Together to Create a Powerful Network of Opportunity
The state of Wisconsin and the Fox Cities Region offer many resources for businesses starting, expanding or relocating in the region. From online guidance, to local counseling, to industry-specific networking and advocacy, the resources listed below will help your business flourish.
Business Education and Advice
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) is an economic development corporation providing quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital for entrepreneurs. WWBIC consults, educates and mentors owners of small and micro businesses throughout Wisconsin, concentrating its efforts on women, minorities and those of lower incomes.
Fox Valley Technical College’s Venture Center is an integrated entrepreneurship center providing programming and services in three areas: entrepreneurial studies, business development and innovation. The Venture Center provides education and training to provide the necessary legal, business, scientific, capital markets, regulatory and leadership skills needed to follow the path of idea to launching and operating a sustainable business. Call 920-735-2525 for more information.
Small Business Development Center-Oshkosh provides low-cost workshops, seminars and free counseling to aid small businesses. The low-cost seminars are specifically designed for owners and managers of businesses and are taught by instructors who have experience and knowledge about the problems of owning and operating a business. Call 920-424-1453 or 800-232-8939 for more information.
SCORE is a free business counseling service. A partner of the Small Business Administration, the Fox Cities SCORE Chapter is located at the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry. To request a Fox Cities SCORE Counselor, contact 920-734-7101.
Business Resources
Fox Cities Chamber is a membership organization serving as a resource for local business information, business-to-business connections, leadership programs, business advocacy, workforce development and more.
Heart of the Valley Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization of people who know the wisdom of coordinating their efforts under effective leadership advancement and development of the area. It enables members to accomplish collectively what none could do individually.
Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Call 608-297-3941 for more information.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) is Wisconsin’s lead economic development agency with more than 600 regional and local partners fostering the cooperation necessary to support job creation. As a public-private entity formed to drive business development in Wisconsin, WEDC is positioned to deploy funds where they are most needed to maximize economic opportunity. WEDC’s priorities include accelerating business growth; expanding global opportunities; attracting new business; and advancing industry development in Wisconsin. Click here for more information on launching, improving, or expanding your business in Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP) enhances the success of Wisconsin’s small to midsize manufacturers by providing expert and accessible services in the areas of growth and innovation, continuous improvement, training, export assistance, supply chain management and profitable sustainability. WMEP is a strong advocate for manufacturers in Wisconsin and supports Wisconsin manufacturing at a national level. Call (920) 246-0051 for more information.
The Wisconsin Innovation Service Center (WISC) provides market research assessments for inventors, innovative manufacturers, and technology businesses looking to develop a new product or expand their market share. Since 1980, WISC has researched the viability of more than 8,000 projects – analyzing their technical feasibility, market size, competitive intensity, demand trends, and other areas that may influence their success.
UW-FoxValley 3DC 3DC stands for the Center for Device Design and Development housed at UW-Fox Valley. It seeks to connect potential inventors and small business in Wisconsin with the technical resources required to develop, prototype, test, patent, and market their ideas.
Wisconsin Department of Administration-Office of Business Development works with business owners, trade associations, affiliated organizations and Chambers of Commerce throughout Wisconsin to ensure business has a seat at the table, advocate for business interests within government and present rule change recommendations to appropriate agency or the Legislature.
The Center for Technology Commercialization provides one-on-one assistance to early-stage emerging technology businesses throughout Wisconsin. Center consultants are experts in commercialization processes. They have over 60 years of combined experience and have collaborated in acquiring over $100 million in federal and other funding for their clients. The Center is supported by the University of Wisconsin-Extension (UWEX), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Wisconsin Innovation Network (WIN) programs focus on the needs and challenges faced by new and growing technology-based businesses in Wisconsin and have effectively assisted companies in the areas of capital, networking, information and business consultation referrals.
How to Start a Business in Wisconsin This guide on starting your business in Wisconsin provides step-by-step instructions on the paperwork to file formation documents, obtain tax IDs, and set up company records.
How to Form an LLC in Wisconsin This guide to starting an LLC in Wisconsin provides step-by-step instructions on filing formation documents, obtaining tax IDs, and setting up company records.