Thanks to all who attended our event!

On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, WWBIC gathered dozens of partners, volunteers, clients, committee members, funders, staff and other stakeholders for a statewide celebration of small business in Wisconsin which took place in the Madison area.

Expert Panel at the Urban League Hub

Around 75 community and business leaders, small business owners, and other WWBIC stakeholders gathered at the Urban League Hub in Madison joined us for a discussion on the state of small business in Wisconsin.

Reception at Governor’s Executive Residence

Over 90 WWBIC stakeholders gathered at the Governor’s Executive Residence on Lake Mendota for a celebration of the impact of small business in Wisconsin. WWBIC extends thanks to all of the staff at the residence for being wonderful and gracious hosts.

The City of Racine and WWBIC are teaming up to offer twenty equity injections of $5,000 each to small business owners in the City of Racine. Click here for a flyer on this opportunity or read details below for eligibility info and more.

Click here or on the image above for a flyer on this program

How do I sign up?

By September 4, 2026, you must bring the following to the WWBIC Racine office during business hours or email to ljohnson@wwbic.com:

• Photo ID
• EIN documentation (IRS Form W-9)
• Completed Business Self-Assessment Form
• Screenshot or photo of your business’ Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Corporate Record
• Proof of business banking account
  
• Proof of sales if sole proprietor
  (QuickBooks, point of sale documentation, etc.)

What if I’m not already a WWBIC client?

That’s okay, you can become one now and still be eligible if all of the eligibility requirements listed at left are met.

How will the winners be selected?

All WWBIC clients who are eligible and have submitted required documents will be grouped into a list after September 4, 2026. From that list, 20 recipients of $5,000 equity injections will be randomly selected.

When will the winners be notified?

Winners will be notified by September 11, 2026.

Requirements for Winners

If you are selected as a winner, you will have 5 days after notification to complete the following steps:

• Complete an ACH form and 2026 W9 form
• Submit a testimonial to WWBIC stating how this equity injection will impact your business
• Sign an agreement regarding how the equity injection you receive will be used and agreeing to future documentation requests

Note: funds received may need to be reported as taxable income

Questions?

If you have questions on this program, please reach out to the WWBIC Racine office at 262-898-5001 or email ljohnson@wwbic.com.

Click here or on the image above for a flyer on this program

How do I sign up?

No application forms or other sign ups required. If your business fits all of the eligibility requirements by the deadlines listed, then your business will be automatically be added to the list of clients for potential selection.

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How will the winners be selected?

All WWBIC clients deemed eligible will be sorted into five separate geographic lists. From those lists, recipients of $2,500 equity injections funded by PNC will be selected through a random drawing as follows:

• Six from the City of Milwaukee
• One from Ozaukee County
• One from Walworth County
• One from Washington County
• One from Waukesha County

When will the winners be selected?

Winners will be notified the week of September 7th-11th, 2026.

Requirements of Winners

If you are selected as a winner, before you receive your equity injection, you will have 7 days after notification to:

• Complete an ACH form for payment
• Complete a 2026 W9 form
• Submit a video testimonial (or written testimonial with photo) to WWBIC stating how this equity injection will impact your business
• Sign an agreement regarding how the equity injection you receive will be used

Note: funds received may need to be reported as taxable income

Questions?

If you have questions on this program, please consult your primary WWBIC contact or email cknudsen@wwbic.com.

Get off the sidelines and into the digital game!

This digital marketing series will combine traditional classroom teaching with hands-on learning labs, ensuring you understand the “why” and the “how” to advance digital marketing to grow and strengthen your business. Sign up for any of our online or in person Digital Growth Navigator sessions using the buttons provided below. Each “Socially Driven” and “Website & SEO Essentials” session is a 2-part series. You must register for Part 1, which will automatically register you for Part 2.

NOTE: This series is designed for those who already have an operational website and/or experience using social media for marketing your small business.

Socially Driven

Part 1: Theory
You will learn how to stop wasting time on random acts of content. You will learn about various social platforms, why a content plan is imperative to your success.

Part 2: Lab 
Join this hands-on lab to design a comprehensive 90-day content strategy that moves the needle. You will map out your content pillars, build a sustainable, repeatable, 30/60/90-day content calendar, and practice how to create high-converting short-form video content.

Zoom
(Pre-registration required)

Monday, June 22
Part 1 – 6:00-7:30 pm

Wednesday, June 24
Part 2 – 6:00-8:00 pm

Website and SEO Essentials

Get Found and Grow Your Business!

Part 1: Theory 
In today’s digital landscape, having a website isn’t enough. This training will demystify Search Engine (SEO) and Website Optimization. You will learn how to identify the words your customers are searching for, how to optimize on-page opportunities, how to get your business to appear in local, near-me searches, and how to make sure your website is mobile friendly, user friendly, and generating the revenue you need.

Part 2: Lab
Practice makes perfect. In this lab, you will audit a current GBP listing (photos, hours, service areas, etc.), create three “Google Posts” with keyword-rich descriptions, and audit and create a checklist of improvements tailored your website.

Thursday, June 25
Part 1 – 5:30-7:00 pm
Part 2 – 7:00-8:30 pm

Questions?

Call 414-263-5450

Email info@wwbic.com