Wisconsin entrepreneurs looking to jumpstart their businesses are invited to take part at the first-ever Small Business Academy, which will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Potawatomi Hotel & Conference Center in Milwaukee.
The half-day academy will provide entrepreneurs and start-up businesses the opportunity to connect with financial and technical resource providers, learn the tools needed to start and grow their businesses and network with other businesses. The free event, presented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, is being held in conjunction with Marketplace 2014, the Governor’s Conference on minority, women and veteran business development.
“For over 30 years, Marketplace has provided small businesses with the tools and contacts they need to do business with state, federal and local agencies. We see the Small Business Academy as a logical extension of those efforts,” said Reed Hall, secretary and chief executive officer of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development agency.
Among the highlights of the academy:
* Joe Pieper, a commercial lender from Associated Bank, will discuss how businesses can obtain bank financing.
* Waukesha County Technical College will lead a discussion on how businesses can find financial and technical assistance.
* Marianne Szymanski, former adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Marquette University and the University of Southern California.
* A panel of Milwaukee entrepreneurs will share their experiences in overcoming the challenges of starting and growing a business.
The Small Business Academy is free and open to anyone, but advance registration is required. For more information and to register visit inwisconsin.com/smallbusinessacademy.
