Getting Started: Plan Your Business

Wisconsin Small Business Development Center

The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a statewide network supporting entrepreneurs and business owners through no-cost, confidential consulting and targeted educational programs. Work with regional SBDC experts to help plan and launch your new business.

For more information, please visit the SBDC website.

Office of Business Development

The Office of Business Development is your business advocate working within state government. When you contact us, we take the time to understand your concerns and work to get issues resolved quickly.

We work with individual business owners, trade associations, affiliated organizations and Chambers of Commerce throughout Wisconsin to ensure business has a seat at the table. We help problem solve, resolve issues, and direct you to existing resources based on your needs.

Our number one goal is to help make Wisconsin a better place to do business! The feedback we receive from business owners helps identify specific laws and rules that need to be changed or eliminated because they negatively impact business or have become irrelevant in your industry. Please contact us:

• If you have an issue that needs some additional attention
• Would like to recommend a change to state regulation

To learn more about what tax incentives may apply to your new business, including available tax credits, deductions and exemptions, please visit the Department of Revenue's Interactive Incentive Finder.

Your business may also require additional licenses or permits issued by the State of Wisconsin. Please contact the appropriate state agency for more information. In addition, local units of government may have additional requirements. Please check with the municipality for more information.

Business Development and Government Relations

The Business Development and Government Relations (BDGR) Unit is part of the Department of Revenue's Research & Policy Division and serves as a bridge between the department, other state agencies and small businesses. The BDGR unit will work with businesses to find what they need to:

• Start or expand
• Recruit and retain employees
• Analyze economic data
• Identify tax incentives

For more information on available resources, please visit the BDGR website.

WI Supplier Diversity Program

If your business is a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (DVB) or Woman-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE), please consider applying for certification with the WI Supplier Diversity Program (SDP).

SDP Certifies MBE, DVB and WBE business are at least 51% owned by the targeted group to provide them with better opportunity for doing business with the state of WI. State of Wisconsin Chapter 16 funds spent with MBE and DVB firms help WI move towards achieving its goal of spending 5% with MBEs and 1% with DVBs. All certified businesses are included in SDP’s Database of Certified Suppliers. MBEs and DVBs receive a 5% permissive bid preference when bidding on state contracts and proposals.

Information on certification requirements and how to apply for certification can be found at wisdp.wi.gov. If you have questions, please contact the Supplier Diversity Program – WisdpWebApplication@wi.gov.