Forward Wisconsin: Business Toolkit - state agencies, business wizard, online tax registration, agricultural businesses

Wisconsin Business Toolkit

Click on the appropriate category heading below to access all the tools and information you'll need to start or grow a Wisconsin business.

Business Assistance Organizations
Here you'll find links, contact information, and services offered by Wisconsin organizations that provide business assistance services throughout the state:

Forward Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Commerce

County and Local Economic Development Organizations

Wisconsin Chambers of Commerce

The UW-Madison Office of Corporate Relations

The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA)

Links to Wisconsin State Agencies
This handy alphabetical listing will quickly link you to whatever Wisconsin government agency, board, commission or department you are seeking.

Tools for Financing Your Wisconsin Business
Learn about the financial assistance programs, grant and loan programs, development funds, incentive programs and other resources that can help meet your business financing needs in Wisconsin.

Tools for Finding Venture Capital
Information on raising capital and security regulations along with a list of venture capital firms.

The Wisconsin Business Wizard
The State of Wisconsin Business Wizard provides customized information to help you start and operate a Wisconsin-based business. The Business Wizard covers licensing, permitting and regulatory requirements for the State of Wisconsin.

Tools for Wisconsin Online Business Tax Registration
Apply online for a Wisconsin Seller's Permit, Use Tax Certificate, Wisconsin Employer Identification Number, and other types of business accounts in one simple step.

Tools for Starting a Business in Wisconsin
Starting a business? Here's help. This 14-page pdf document contains everything from writing and funding a business plan, to structuring your business, to obtaining financing, to regulatory requirements.

Tools for Wisconsin Employers
Complete information for Wisconsin employers including finding workers, employment standards and laws, worker's compensation and unemployment compensation guides, and a directory of employer resources and links.

Tools for International Trade
Here you can access state assistance with international sales, services to facilitate importing products from other countries, learn about international investment in Wisconsin, and explore educational opportunities that will help make you more competitive in the global marketplace.

Tools for Wisconsin Small Businesses
The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network educates state entrepreneurs--beginners and veterans alike--through an array of low-cost classes and no-cost confidential counseling. Services can be accessed through the state at 13 University of Wisconsin centers and two specialty centers--the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center and the Center for Innovation and Development.

Tools for Wisconsin Ag-Related Businesses
Here is a comprehensive resource for value-added agricultural-related business owners. It includes financing program summaries and contact information, special incentive programs, agricultural professional organizations, agricultural academic and educational assistance and farm credit services. Both state and federal resources are listed.

Tools for Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Information on programs that target minority-owned, native-American-owned or women-owned business start-ups or expansions.

Tools to Help You Find a Job
Tap into Wisconsin's JobNet job search system to learn about employment opportunities throughout the state, research careers and occupations, and find special programs for veterans, youth and others.

Financial Resources for Wisconsin Businesses

Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation (WBD) is a private, not-for-profit corporation created in 1981 to help Wisconsin businesses gain access to capital. It is one of the largest Certified Development Corporations in the nation with a loan portfolio in excess of $300 million and five offices around the state.
Impact Seven is also a not-for-profit statewide, public, nonprofit community development corporation committed to helping Wisconsin companies start, grow and thrive.
Access a searchable database of over 300 Wisconsin banks and savings institutions that includes location, contact information and links.
A database of locally owned and managed Community Banks in Wisconsin can be searched by community or region of the state.
Wisconsin communities and counties that have received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for economic development projects can establish Revolving Loan Funds from CDBG repayments. Here is a list of Wisconsin CDBG Communities and a complete list of contacts for Local Development Organizations who can provide details on the availability of revolving loan funds, angel investor networks and other local sources of financing as well as help prepare financial packages.