BUSINESS START UP

Start Up information

SBDC (Small Business Development Center) - located at University of WI – Stevens Point; cover 9 counties; no cost business counseling on all aspects of starting & running a business
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/

SCORE Counselors—volunteer organization that offers no cost counseling on all aspects of starting & running a business
http://www.score.org/index.html

SCORE/SBDC Workshop—FREE “Starting & Surviving in Business”; held in the evenings, monthly in Wausau & St. Point
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/score.aspx

CAP Services—no cost start-up counseling for individuals that meet low income guidelines; charge $40/hour for counseling those that do not meet income guidelines; cover Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, Outagamie counties
www.capserv.org

INVENTORS

Specific services just for inventors; general questions can be answered by SBDC and SCORE (see above)

UW-Whitewater Innovation Service Center—fee based service that prepares market feasibility studies, preliminary patent searches, broker searches for licensing an invention
http://academics.uww.edu/business/innovate

UW Stout Center for Innovation & Development- Prototype development
http://stti.uwstout.edu/centers/cid.asp

FINANCING

Basic information & eligibility criteria on state/federal/local  programs—also
for guidance on writing a business plan to apply for financing

SBDC (Small Business Development Center) - located at University of WI – Stevens Point; cover Portage, Wood, Waupaca, Marathon, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, and Adams
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/

Wisconsin Dept. of Commerce, Deb Clements
www.commerce.state.wi.us

Area Banks (bank loans, SBA & WHEDA guarantee loans)

USDA Rural Development (loans > $500,000)
www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi/

CAP Services—revolving loan programs for low-income individuals starting a business
www.capserv.org

Wisconsin Angel Network-The mission of the Wisconsin Angel Network (WAN) is to build early-stage capital capacity throughout Wisconsin, increasing the number and amount of equity investments in Wisconsin's entrepreneurs.
www.wisconsinangelnetwork.com

BUSINESS PLANNING

Learn how to write the plan

SBDC Counselors
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/

SCORE Counselors
www.score.org

SBDC Entrepreneurship Training Program—8 evening sessions; Dept. of Commerce offers grants that pay $750 of the $1000 tuition; apply at SBDC
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/entrepreneurial.aspx

CAP Services—no cost start-up counseling on bus.plan development for individuals that meet low income guidelines; charge $40/hour for those that do not meet income guidelines; cover Portage, Waupaca, Waushara, Outagamie counties
www.capserv.org

Hire someone to write the plan

Wisconsin Dept. of Commerce, Deb Clements—Early Planning Grant provides up to $3000 w/$1000 match from participant
www.commerce.state.wi.us

EXISTING BUSINESS

Learn about best business practices

SBDC Counselor—located at University of WI – Stevens Point; covers 9 counties; no cost counseling on all aspects of operating & growing a business; assign a counselor with the expertise needed (e-comnmerce, Quickbooks, marketing planning, manufacturing processes, etc.)
www.uwsp.edu/conted/sbdc/

SCORE Counselors—volunteer organization that offers no cost counseling on all aspects of operating & growing a business
www.score.org

EXISTING MANUFACTURERS

Education on improving manufacturing processes

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership—provides technical expertise & workshops on advanced manufacturing technologies & business practices that can improve the bottom line.  Emphasis on LEAN manufacturing processes.
www.wmep.org