The Universities of Wisconsin Office of Business & Entrepreneurship’s (OBE) statewide network of consultants, economic developers, investors and lenders is unparalleled. We help entrepreneurs, businesses, and economic development professionals across the state to achieve their goals by offering technical assistance, counseling, and leveraging data.
Drive meaningful change with proven OBE experience
Program Management
Experienced with program creation implementation and tracking.
Infrastructure
The Universities of Wisconsin has the backbone to support reporting, auditing and other project requirements.
Building Networks
The Office brings together deep knowledge, practical tools and partnerships to provide specialized business support to Wisconsin businesses.
Accessing Federal Funding
The Office is adept at identifying, pursuing and obtaining federal funding to support economic growth.
Broad Wisconsin Reach
The Office’s statewide network connects local entrepreneurs across Wisconsin with expert resources and funding.
Data and Insights
Access to business trend analysis, impact data, and regional economic insights that help make informed decisions and clearly demonstrate results.
Explore Benefits of Partnering with the Office
Economic Development Partners: Building strong local economies throughout Wisconsin
Economic Development Organizations (EDOs) are charged with getting local and regional businesses on the path for growth — quite a tall order. The Office of Business and Entrepreneurship shares that mission — to help build strong businesses.
Small business consulting and education
Through four distinct program units, the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship is providing specialized resources and helping clients craft personalized plans to start and grow their businesses. We’re Wisconsin’s hub for specialized resources — many at no cost — to help small businesses grow. Ultimately, we’ll help Wisconsin prosper. Together. We’re here to help businesses stand out and get ahead to perform at their highest levels.
Explore Local Economic Trends
OBE’s YourEconomy Provides detailed insights on the trends in your community. Use our data to design/evaluate programs, provide updates to annual reports, answer questions from site selectors and inform your business and retention and expansion visits. Learn more.
Speaking engagements
When you need an expert to break it down, call OBE. Our state, regional and local experts dive deep into local economic conditions — and how to work with them. We help economic developers and local businesses and governments make better strategic decisions using our vast pool of data, tools and connections.
Investment Partners: Financing Wisconsin’s Future
Lenders and investors often find themselves with potential clients need who need more preparation to be eligible for that loan or capital investment. We assist with impartial guidance allowing entrepreneurs to return to lenders and investors with strong business plans that are more stable with lower risk.
Prepared clients
Strong financial statements and a sound plan are vital for banks and investors doing business with new and growing companies. OBE’s four program units all point toward the same result — well-prepared entrepreneurs. Through stringent training from our seasoned consultants, small business owners learn the ropes and become better at what they do. When they succeed, lenders and investors succeed.
Stronger businesses through consulting
Small businesses have a lot of work to do, but often little experience. Yet, they need to prove their creditworthiness. OBE’s Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network around the state knows small business. Our expert consultants support entrepreneurs in startup business planning, loans and financing, management and strategic planning and marketing and sales.
Technology commercialization
Tech-based startups can bring big returns to lenders and investors. But first, they have to get off the ground. OBE’s Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) is the springboard for tech startups with a proven program to help them evaluate their ideas, plan for seeking investment and grants and apply for them. Led by our seasoned consultants, entrepreneurs work their way through a federal application process to win Phase I and II SBIR/STTR federal funding. After our assistance they return to lenders and investors with priceless experience under their belts.
Campus Partners: Universities of Wisconsin’s connection to entrepreneurship
The Offices programs coordinate with Wisconsin higher learning campuses for educational and professional development events. Universities of Wisconsin campuses are the homes to our Small Business Development Centers. Students and businesses find each other for mentorship, internships and employment through our connections.
Small Business Development Centers
Our expert consultants apply their knowledge and regional connections to help entrepreneurs grow at their own pace. What’s more: Wisconsin SBDC client businesses perform higher than the national average. We’re here, at no cost, with services from one-on-one advising and business planning to loans and financing, management and strategic planning and marketing and sales. This benefits the people and communities of our entire state.
