Community Entrepreneurship
Illinois Small Business Development Center
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at University of Illinois Extension coordinates and delivers management programs, technical assistance and educational programs to small businesses. Services are tailored to meet the unique needs of the existing business owner or manager and potential business owners.
Illinois Business Consulting
An integral component of the College of Business and the Illinois MBA Program, Illinois Business Consulting (IBC) is a student consulting organization. Each year, approximately 200 students perform 40-50 projects for Fortune 500, mid-sized, new venture and non-profit clients. The organization enables students to apply their classroom learning to real business issues.
Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture (Illinois IDEA)
Initiative for the Development of Entrepreneurs in Agriculture-was created by University of Illinois as a statewide initiative. IDEA conducts research, develops educational products, and provides services that encourage farmers to incorporate entrepreneurial strategies which direct their marketing efforts to meeting consumer demand.
FastTrac® Course
Entrepreneurs in the Champaign-Urbana community have the opportunity to take a nine week course offered through the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership. This FastTrac® GrowthVenture™ course builds upon the experiences that the entrepreneurs have developed over the course of running their ventures, and challenges them to expand their skills to grow their companies to new heights. Entrepreneurs are challenged to think critically about their ventures, practice effective decision-making, and work to align all aspects of the business to attain long-term sustainability. The classroom time and toolkits are a built in opportunity for business owners to stop working in the company and start working on the business.
Illinois Entrepreneur Network
The Illinois Entrepreneur Network helps entrepreneurs transform their business into an appealing investment for lenders. The IEN partners with well-respected business development organizations and educational institutions, including the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the coordinating center in the Champaign-Urbana area. The IEN works with clients who have the vision and potential to become a high-growth enterprise. Whether your company employs two people or 102, IEN can help you Connect Outside The Box - it's a new way of thinking that extends beyond your own knowledge and experience to activate the possibilities.