News

UWRF SBDC Plays a Critical Role in 2025 UWRF Innovation Challenge

The UWRF Small Business Development Center (SBDC) was instrumental in shaping the 2025 UWRF Innovation Challenge, an exciting opportunity for students to cultivate and develop their business ideas.

Capital Access Clinic

Wisconsin Rural Partners, Inc. (WRP) has named the Capital Access Clinic as one of the 2025 Wisconsin Top Rural Development Initiative Award winners!

UW-Madison SBDC pilots AI tools workshop with students

On April 1, the UW-Madison SBDC piloted a new hands-on workshop with 18 Badger Consulting Club students, exploring how AI tools can enhance small business consulting work. Students applied AI in real-time through case studies and learned how to critically evaluate AI-generated insights using lateral reading — an essential digital literacy skill in today’s digital landscape.

Go Global gets great new partnership

Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership, (WMEP) has announced that their ExporTech program, a master class for exporters, has been restructured to focus on accelerating export strategies for companies already possessing foundational export knowledge.

To achieve this, new-to-exporting manufacturers will now be required to complete the Small Business Development Center’s (SBDC) export readiness program before enrolling in ExporTech. This is a major endorsement of the SBDC Go Global Initiative!

Kate and Nora present at Career Fair Day

Kate Koziol and Nora Roughen-Schmidt hosted the “Turn your Ideas into Reality” business planning workshop during the Career Fair Day hosted at North Crawford High School in Crawford County, Wisconsin. Busloads of students from seven high schools across the region were treated to a day-long event featuring 15 workshops and 25 college and career tradeshow booths.

SBDC client wins Emerging Small Business of the Year

Confluence Graphics, a woman-owned commercial print shop known for its high-quality printing, signage, and mailing solutions, has been named the 2025 Emerging Small Business of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Wisconsin District. Owner Courtney Skinkis worked with the SBDCs at UW-Milwaukee and UW-Eau Claire. Congratulations!

Go Global client wins in Startup Draft

Ubicept, a client of SBDC’s Go Global initative, uses foundational technology developed at University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ubicept has been selected as one of two winners in the inaugural TitletownTech Startup Draft, securing a $1 million investment from the Green Bay–based venture capital firm.

Inman named Wisconsin SBDC Network’s 2024 ‘State Star’

Anne Inman, Accounting and Projection Clinic program manager and senior business consultant of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Madison, was chosen by her peers as the Wisconsin network’s 2024 State Star.

Governor Evers Recognizes 2024 #SBDCDay with Proclamation

March 20, 2024, Marks Wisconsin’s 8th Annual Special Day (MADISON, WI) – Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is recognizing the Wisconsin SBDC network with an official proclamation celebrating SBDC Day and acknowledging their support of the state’s small businesses.

Stauffacher named Wisconsin SBDC Network’s 2023 ‘State Star’

David Stauffacher, business consultant at the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Green Bay, was chosen by his peers as the Wisconsin network’s 2023 State Star.