Agencies
Services
Small & Emerging Business Hub
Small Business Development Center: Small Business Assistance and Guidance
Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
The Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) offers one-on-one business advice for small & emerging businesses and start-ups at no cost. These centers are located throughout the state and offer services on:
- One-on-one business advice and management assistance
- Assistance with the development of business plans
- Help with accessing market information and the development of marketing plans
- Assistance with accessing business financing programs
- Assistance with financial analysis and planning
- Access to business education and training opportunities
- Specialized services in technology, innovation and entrepreneurial development
The Illinois SBDCs also provides specialized services in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurial development. Business consultation is available to businesses of all stages/sizes/industries/etc. as well as for future owners & founders. To learn more, visit the IL SBDC website.
The Illinois APEX Accelerator (formerly known as the Illinois Procurement Technical Assistance Centers “PTAC”)
The Illinois Apex Accelerator, administered by the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Technology at DCEO, is a portal for small businesses looking to enter the world of government contracting. The centers provide one-on-one counseling, technical information, marketing assistance, and training to existing businesses interested in selling their goods and services to local, state, and/or federal government agencies. The primary mission of the Illinois APEX Accelerator is to serve as the axis for existing and new businesses to enter and strengthen the Government Industrial Base (GIB) and Defense Industrial Base (DIB), by accelerating innovation, fostering ingenuity, and establishing resilient and diverse supply chains. To learn more, visit the Illinois Apex Accelerator website.
The First Stop Business Information Center
The First Stop Business Information Center, administered by the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, & Technology, at DCEO, is a single statewide resource for entrepreneurs and businesses to obtain comprehensive regulatory and permitting information. Business specialists provide professional guidance to entrepreneurs by helping them identify and navigate regulatory requirements for their businesses and link them to state and local resources. To learn more, visit the First Stop Business Information Center website.
The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment
The Office of Minority Economic Empowerment (OMEE), administered by DCEO, provides minority-, women-, and persons with disabilities and veteran-owned small businesses and entrepreneurs across the state with equitable access to opportunities and resources. Services include business assistance, one-on-one support, library of resources, networking events, training, and more. To learn more, visit the DCEO website.
CEJA Contractor Incubator and Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Programs
Get support to grow your clean energy business. The CEJA Contractor Incubator Program provides eligible contractors with training, mentoring and support to build their businesses, connect to projects, compete for capital, and execute clean energy-related project installations and subcontracts.
The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program provides clean energy businesses with one-on-one coaching, business planning, mentorship, assistance preparing bids and Request for Proposal applications, assistance connecting to state and federal programs, and more.
To learn more, visit the DCEO website.