About Us

Established in 1984, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network supports thousands of businesses like yours, providing valued assistance to launch dreams, secure financing, and increase profitability. We deliver expert small business guidance and connect owners to vital resources needed to compete, grow, and succeed. We provide confidential, professional business advice, strengthened by our experience, expertise, and specialized training. As your trusted partner, we are focused on your success. The services provided by Illinois SBDCs, SBDC International Trade Centers (ITC), and the Apex Accelerator program sets the stage for personal and professional growth, which directly impacts our local economies for the better.

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

Small Business Development Centers

Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), working in cooperation with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), were established in 1984 to assist Illinois entrepreneurs to start and grow their small businesses by providing no-cost confidential one-on-one advising and training. SBDCs offer professional guidance to pre-venture and existing small businesses to develop business and marketing plans, secure capital funding, and assist with additional business management needs. As a trusted partner of community colleges, universities, chambers of commerce, and business development organizations, the Illinois SBDC works to ensure advising and training services are accessible and equitable throughout our diverse state to promote local economic vitality, wealth creation, and sustainability.

International Trade Centers

The SBDC International Trade Centers (ITC) provide assistance to Illinois small businesses interested in exporting their product to international markets. ITCs help identify specific foreign markets in which a company's product or service would best succeed, provide guidance in meeting U.S. government export criteria and foreign government requirements and assist in obtaining visas, licenses, copyrights, and patents. Despite worldwide social and financial challenges, ITCs work to generate global, national, state, and local economic prosperity through sustainable trade practices.

Illinois APEX Accelerator

The Illinois APEX Accelerator program, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense, provide detailed, comprehensive technical assistance to Illinois entrepreneurs and companies interested in selling their goods and services to federal, state, and local governments. Apex Accelerators offer one-on-one procurement counseling, bid opportunities, assistance with SAM and other vendor registrations, market research, training to existing businesses, help with certifications, review of bid packages, and information about contract administration as well as other contracting assistance services. The Apex Accelerator program ensures that Illinois’ diverse business population is given access to the technical assistance needed to create an equitable and inclusive procurement culture.

Our Leaders

Ericka A. White

State Director

Illinois Small Business Development Network

Ericka A. White

Interim Program Manager

Illinois APEX Accelerator Program

OUR VISION

To be the trusted network for business creation and growth across Illinois.

OUR MISSION

To provide professional guidance for business growth.

VALUE PROPOSITION

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network supports thousands of businesses like yours, providing valued assistance to launch dreams, secure financing, and increase profitability. We deliver expert small business guidance and connect owners to vital resources needed to compete, grow, and succeed. We provide confidential, professional business advice, strengthened by our experience, expertise, and specialized training. As your trusted partner, we are focused on your success. The services provided by Illinois SBDCs, SBDC International Trade Centers (ITC) and the Apex Accelerator program set the stage for personal and professional growth, which directly impacts our local economies for the better.

The Illinois Small Business Development Center is a statewide network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Service Center Hosts Organizations. The Illinois SBDC is nationally accredited by America’s SBDC