Support Organizations

Milwaukee School of Engineering– MSOE’s Business Excellence Consortium (BEC) provides seasoned consultants and experts to guide organizations in building world-class operations. We assist in planning, implementing, and sustaining continuous improvement programs. Providing the expertise and knowledge that leads to exceptional performance, more competitive outcomes, and outstanding customer satisfaction.

1025 N. Broadway
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 800-321-6763

UW-Whitewater Small Business Development Center– The SBDC, as part of a nationwide network, provides high-impact, results-based consulting and training services to business owners and entrepreneurs with up to 500 employees. In today’s economic environment, the SBDC is forging ahead to partner with new, established, growing, and forward-thinking businesses as they navigate the waters of change.

800 W. Main St.
1200 Hyland Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-3217

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance – WCEDA acts as a clearing house of information geared toward serving the needs of local businesses. We provide a number of different services to our members. These services include but are not limited to on-site training facilitation, financing, marketing assistance, grant apprehension, and many more. In addition WCEDA hosts regular “Breakfast Briefs” which are informational sessions geared toward growing your business and networking. WCEDA is your partner for growth in Walworth County.

1000 E. Centralia St.
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: 262-741-8527

Walworth County Farm Bureau – The Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation is the state’s largest general farm organization representing farms of all sizes, commodities and management styles. There are 43,000 member families that belong to the Bureau.

119 South Broad St.
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: 262-723-2613

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute – The Michael Field Agricultural Institute is a non-profit organization with the mission to cultivate the ecological, social, economic, and spiritual vitality of food and farming systems through education, research, policy, and market development. The Micheal Fields Agricultural Institute operates through a number of different facets including; crop and soil research, farm and food education, integrated farming systems, and public policy.

W2493 County Road ES
East Troy WI, 53120
Phone: 262-642-3303

Walworth County Job Center – The Job Center is a job connection resource designed to meet the employment needs of Walworth County. The Walworth County Job Center is a public/private venture combining resources in a single location for ease of access. Services provided by the Job Center are free of charge to both the employer and the job seeker.

1000 E. Centralia St.
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: 262-741-5180

Bureau of Information Technology Services (BITS)– The Bureau of Information Technology Services (BITS) administers technology services for all parts of the Department, providing services such as business intelligence and data administration, applications development and support, server and network support, workstation support, data collection and processing, and technology strategy and planning.



The Bureau also establishes and manages information technology standards, policies, and guidelines that assure a secure environment for all electronic resources. The Bureau partners with the Department's Divisions to develop technology solutions helping deliver various services to Wisconsin's employers and workforce. BITS provide helpdesk services to all DWD offices, locations, external partners, and citizens accessing our applications, and provides various information technology related services to other state agencies.

201 E. Washington Ave. E-400

P.O. Box 7946

Madison WI 5370

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation - Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation is passionate about helping you bring your vision to life. Whether you’re creating a groundbreaking clean-energy technology startup or the next innovation in personal agriculture or personal care, we’re with you on the full path from startup to commercialization.

Working with our statewide network of partners, we can provide direct capital infusions, incent investments through angel and venture tax credits, and give you access to mentoring, training and other important resources. Plus, we can help you access to the location you want, the talent you need, and the investment in research and development that will keep you at the forefront of innovation.

2352 S. Park St., Suite 303 Madison, WI 53713

608.210.6700

Wisconsin Innovation Service Center– WISC specializes in new product and invention assessments and market expansion opportunities for innovative manufacturers, technology businesses, and independent inventors. Technical experts and researchers use an extensive array of resources to analyze information on technical feasibility, existing patents, market size, competitive intensity, demand trends, and other areas. WISC’s research products cover product feasibility, competitive intelligence, distributor assessment, customer satisfaction, and licensing partnerships.

800 W. Main St.
1200 Hyland Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-1365

Wisconsin Woman’s Business Initiative– WWBIC is a statewide economic development corporation that provides quality business education and financing to Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. Services that are offered include small business loans, business and education workshops, business assistance, and money management.

2300 S. Park St.
Suite 103
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: 608-257-5450

Workforce & Economic Development Division (Gateway)– Virtually every business in southeast Wisconsin has the opportunity to connect with Gateway Tech College in one way or another. Our main objective is to encourage and promote economic growth and development through state-of-the-art training, initiatives and partnerships. Whether you are a company considering locating in southeastern Wisconsin, an existing company, a small business person wishing to grow your business, or an entrepreneur just getting started – we have programs and services in place to help you achieve your goals.

3520 30th Ave.
Kenosha, WI 53144
Phone: 262-564-3422

Fiscal and Economic Research Center– FERC focuses on regional engagement as well as improving programs and learning through UW- Whitewater students. FERC provides research services for area businesses, not-for-profits organizations, and government entities including, but not limited to, the following areas: economic analysis, land-use planning, GIS analysis, market research, statistical analysis, simulation analysis, ecological and biological analysis, government and public policy analysis, entrepreneurship, and economic forecasting and business development.

800 W. Main St.
1200 Hyland Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-1361

Global Business Resource Center– The GBRC specializes in providing international market entry strategies for businesses. Services include data gathering, business analysis, market identification, feasibility studies, and market intelligence. Several combinations of methodologies including primary data collection, interviews, vendor and partner search, focus groups are employed to provide a comprehensive report for decision-makers.

800 W. Main St.
1200 Hyland Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-1956

UW-Whitewater GIS Center– Our center specializes in using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to provide web-based mapping and spatial analysis services for businesses and other clients. Currently, our work is focused on providing these tools as part of a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Agency. We are developing a suite of business-support tools for Rock, Walworth, Kenosha, Racine, Boone, and Winnebago counties and the surrounding communities in Wisconsin and Illinois.

800 W. Main St.
115 Upham Hall
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: 262-472-5125

UW-Whitewater Office of Research & Sponsored Programs– This office assists in the application of grant and funding programs for both students and businesses within the region. If you would like assistance with proposal development and/or submission, please contact Denise Ehlen, Director of Research and Sponsored Programs.

800 W. Main St.
2243 Andersen Library
Whitewater, WI 53190
Phone: (262) 472-5212

Small Business Administration– Small business is America’s most powerful engine of opportunity and economic growth. That’s where SBA comes in. SBA offers a variety of programs and support services to help you navigate the issues you face with your initial applications, and resources to help after you open for business.

310 W Wisconsin Ave.
Suite # 400
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 608-441-5263

BizStarts Milwaukee– BizStarts Milwaukee connects entrepreneurs with resources to help them envision, establish, and launch successful companies in the Milwaukee 7 region. BizStarts Venture Track is designed to substantially increase the number of innovative, fast-growing companies by offering a suite of mentoring, education and connections for Venture Track entrepreneurs.

1555 N Rivercenter Dr Suite 210
Milwaukee, WI 53226
Phone: 414-921-0909

The 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. WAN fuels the growth of early stage capital in Wisconsin by operating as an umbrella organization providing services and resources to the early stage investing and entrepreneurial communities.

455 Science Dr.
Suite 240
Madison, WI 53711
Phone: 608-442-7557
Extension: 23

USDA Rural Development– USDA Rural Development is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. We promote economic development by supporting loans to businesses through banks , credit unions and community-managed lending pools. We offer technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve the effectiveness of their operations.

4949 Kirschling Ct.
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: 715-345-7600

UW-Madison Family Business Center– The University of Wisconsin Family Business Centers mission is to provide family businesses with an opportunity to address their unique and critical issues through insightful educational forums and discussions, peer group learning, provision of resources and referrals, relevant academic courses and applied research. Our greater aim is to help members businesses and families succeed for current and future generations.

01 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53715
Phone: 608-441-7338

Milwaukee World Trade Organization– MWTA is a membership-driven organization and global arm of MMAC that links companies and individuals with interest in expanding their international business; exchanging history, challenges and experiences; increasing knowledge & expertise in international sales and services in the Milwaukee-area and beyond. Events sponsored by MWTA are organized by our members and our Board, who bring programs on timely topics and local business men and women with international business experience together to share their knowledge and expertise.

756 N. Milwaukee Ave.
4th Floor
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Phone: 414-287-4123

Wisconsin International Trade Team– The Wisconsin International Trade Team has helped thousands of Wisconsin food and agricultural companies build their export business. Services and support are not limited to Wisconsin’s borders. With access to over 22 international offices specializing in food and agricultural exports, the Wisconsin International Trade Team can provide assistance at your facility or abroad – wherever you need it.

2811 Agriculture Dr.
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, Wisconsin 53708
Phone: 800-462-5237

The Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation– CATI serves as a technology matchmaker. Serving as a technology transfer intermediary, CATI helps private industries leverage their idle intellectual properties by matching them with existing companies and start-up businesses in need of those technologies. CATI is the link between technology excess and technology success.

2320 Renaissance Blvd.
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone: 262-898-7410

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.

2601 Crossroads Dr.
Suite 145
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: 877-800-2085

Service Core of Retired Executives– SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a valuable network of 13,000+ volunteers who offer small business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge. SCORE also provides local workshops and events throughout the country to connect small business owners with the people and information they need. SCORE provides resources, templates and tools to assist entrepreneurs in developing tools and plans they need to navigate their way to small business success. SCORE also hosts a weekly radio show dedicated to talking about entrepreneurship issues and topics. For more details check here.

310 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Suite 425
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Phone: 414-297-3942

Rockford College Family Resource Center– The RCFBC is a partnership between the Department of Economics, Business, and Accounting at Rockford College, sponsoring organizations, and family-owned businesses located in the area. RCFBC will provide outstanding business assistance, education, and training through regular meetings with speakers, business roundtable discussions, workshops and seminars, individual consultations, access to college interns, research support, newsletters, and networking opportunities. The center will help family businesses prosper by empowering businesses to help themselves.

5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
Phone: 815-226-4109

Small Business Innovation Research Program– SBIR is a US Government program, coordinated by the SBA, in which 2.5 percent of the total extramural research budgets of all federal agencies with extramural research budgets in excess of $100 million are reserved for contracts or grants to small businesses. Annually, the SBIR budget represents more than $1 billion in research funds. Over half the awards are to firms with fewer than 25 people and a third to firms of fewer than 10. A fifth are minority or women-owned businesses. Historically, a quarter of the companies are first-time winners.

For Assistance Contact Denise Ehlen: 262-472-5212

201 12th St. South
Suite 406—West Tower
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 866-724-7457

Small Business Technology Transfer– The STTR Program is similar in structure to SBIR and funds cooperative research and development projects with small businesses in partnership with not-for profit research institutions (such as universities) to move research to the marketplace. The SBIR/STTR Programs are structured in three phases. Phase-I project feasibility, phase-II project development to prototype, and phase-III commercialization, which is the ultimate goal of each SBIR/STTR. Phase-III work must be funded by sources outside the SBIR/STTR Program.



For Assistance Contact Denise Ehlen: 262-472-5212

201 12th St. South
Suite 406—West Tower
Arlington, VA 22202
Phone: 866-724-7457

VIP Services Inc.– The mission of VIP Services is to empower people with disabilities to explore and experience endless possibilities. VIP Services clients are trained to perform a wide variety of jobs based on their skills, capabilities and, whenever possible, their dreams. VIP Services employs creative staff members who are pleased to work with prospective contractors and employers to determine the best possible fits. VIP Services clients placed in community employment settings have talented job coaches who work with clients and their supervisors in community settings to ensure that the placements works for everyone.

811 E Geneva St.
Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121
Phone: 262-723-4043

The University of Wisconsin Law School’s Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic – provides free legal services to help entrepreneurs and small business owners realize their potential. They collaborate with the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation and more than a dozen of Wisconsin’s leading law firms.

975 Bascom Mall
Madison, WI 53706
Phone: 608-262-2240

The Center for Business Intelligence – offers a smart approach to growth for second-stage companies. CBI converts the power of data, research and technology into decision-making tools that help business owners increase revenue. Specialists focused in such areas as business strategy, market research, digital media and GIS (geographic information system) services work as a team with companies over the course of 4 to 6 weeks to identify and pursue growth opportunities.

Jessica J. Nelson



Program Manager,
Center for Business Intelligence
UW-Extension, Business and Entrepreneurship

SBA General Government Procurement – The Small Business Administration will help small businesses get actively involved in selling goods and services to the federal government. The Office of Government Contracting (GC) works to create an environment for maximum participation by small, disadvantaged, and woman-owned businesses in federal government contract awards and large prime subcontract awards. GC advocates on behalf of small business in the federal procurement world.

740 Regent Street
Suite 100

Madison, WI 5371
5Phone: 608-441-526

Wisconsin DOA’s Procurement Bureau – is the main source for Wisconsin state government procurement opportunities and information. Many procurement opportunities are publicized on VendorNet, the State of Wisconsin’s bidding and purchasing opportunity information web site.

101 E. Wilson St.
Madison, WI 53703



DOAWebMaster@wi.gov

Walworth County Department of Public Works – The Walworth County Department of Public Works is part of the Wisconsin Association of Public Purchasers. Available contracts and current bids can be located on the Onvia DemandStart website. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the department directly.

W4097 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: 262-741-7262

Vendor Net – VendorNet is Wisconsin’s electronic purchasing information system. VendorNet was created to provide easy access to a wide variety of information of interest to vendors who wish to provide goods and services to the state as well as state agencies and municipalities.

Federal Business Opportunities – This website is the federal governments contract bidding and purchasing website. Federal agencies use this site to communicate their buying requirements to potential suppliers. All federal contract solicitations with a value of at least $25,000 are published on FedBizOpps. Government agencies publish the solicitations on FedBizOpps, and provide detailed information on how and when vendors should respond.

BNI Walworth County Chapter – BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. We offer members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.

Walworth County Business Network – Bringing Walworth County and surrounding area businesses together for networking.

Walworth County Economic Development Alliance – Offers a wide variety of business training sessions. We also can help to guide you in finding the appropriate services to help grow your business and stay competitive.

University of Wisconsin-Small Business Development Center – Whether you want help with the skills of starting, running or growing a business, the Wisconsin Small Business Development Centers are your business education resource.