Center for Entrepreneurship (CEDE) | Empowering Entrepreneurs Online

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Here to Ignite Your Ideas and Fuel Your Success.

Center for Entrepreneurship Diversity and Education

The Center for Entrepreneurship Diversity and Education (CEDE) is your one-stop shop for small business success, offering everything entrepreneurs need in one place.

Whether you're a minority-owned business, woman-owned business, or a first-time founder, CEDE connects you to essential tools, funding options, educational workshops, and upcoming events to help you grow with confidence.

From practical resources to community support, this platform guides entrepreneurs through every stage of launching and scaling their venture. CEDE is intentionally designed to support a wide range of businesses, ensuring no entrepreneur is left behind.

The website features a clear top navigation bar that allows users to quickly select the type of business they represent, making it easy to access tailored resources that meet their specific needs.

Brought to you by the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University.

Upcoming Events

Tue, May 12
Streamlining Cash Flow for Restaurants of All Sizes
Virtual Event
RSVP
May 12, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Virtual Event
Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Square, and the Cook County Small Business Source for a virtual session that will address key cash flow challenges like rising costs and unpredictable revenue and offer practical strategies to help operators organize finances, automate savings!
Tue, May 12
Breakeven Analysis for Businesses
222 N Canal St
RSVP
May 12, 2026, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
222 N Canal St, 222 N Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Gain clarity on how much revenue your business needs to cover its costs. Participants will learn how to calculate breakeven points, understand fixed versus variable expenses, and use this analysis to guide pricing, growth, and cash flow decisions.
Wed, May 13
AI Search: How Business Owners Should Think About Being Found
Virtual Event
RSVP
May 13, 2026, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Virtual Event
AI is rapidly changing how customers find your business. In this practical webinar, learn what “AI search” really means —from Google’s AI results to tools like ChatGPT—and how to make sure your business shows up clearly and consistently.
Wed, May 13
2026 Meet the Experts
151 W Kinzie St
RSVP
May 13, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
151 W Kinzie St, 151 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA
This event offers restaurant and hospitality operators the opportunity to connect one-on-one with some of the biggest restaurateurs in the business, plus experts in HR, public relations, law, accounting, licensing, insurance, and more. Vendors and service providers are welcome and encouraged!
Thu, May 14
Managing Cash Flow: Practical Problem Solving
Virtual Event
RSVP
May 14, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Event
The Managing Cash Flow module encourages participants to focus on cash flow management as an essential competency of business ownership.
Multiple Dates
Sat, May 16
Chicago Small Biz Expo
Harry S Truman College
RSVP
May 16, 2026, 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Harry S Truman College, 1145 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
The Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection brings free business resources to the community for new and existing entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in the City of Chicago through the Chicago Small Biz Expo Series. The series of expos occur at different city.
Tue, May 26
Get Money Smart in 2026
Virtual Event
RSVP
May 26, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Virtual Event
Take control of your business finances and make confident decisions without the guesswork. Wintrust’s professional bankers will lead the workshops, helping entrepreneurs and small business owners gain clarity, confidence and control over their finances.
Tue, May 26
Pricing Strategies
Virtual Event
RSVP
May 26, 2026, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Virtual Event
Setting the right price for your products or services is one of the most critical business decisions you’ll make. This interactive workshop will help you develop a pricing strategy that not only covers your costs and supports your business growth, but also aligns with your business values and market
Wed, Jun 10
Chicago Small Business Expo 2026
Chicago
RSVP
Jun 10, 2026, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Chicago, 725 W Roosevelt Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, USA
Save the date! Join us on June 10, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM CST. This year’s Chicago Small Business Conference & Expo will be at the Isadore & Sadie Dorin Forum at UIC. You’ll experience an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and propel your business forward as part of the most influen
Tue, Jun 16
Pricing Strategy for Businesses
1449 S Michigan Ave
RSVP
Jun 16, 2026, 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
1449 S Michigan Ave, 1449 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60605, USA
Develop pricing strategies that reflect your costs, market demand, and business goals. This workshop helps entrepreneurs evaluate pricing models, avoid underpricing, and confidently set prices that support profitability and growth.

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Business of the Month

Gigawatt Coffee Roasters began with a spark of passion and a lot of determination. Co-founded by husband-and-wife team Eli and Jen, our journey started in 2019, roasting fresh small batch coffee on a small Behmor at home for family and friends. Fueled by a love for excellent coffee and a vision to make fresh roasted coffee more accessible, we officially launched Gigawatt Coffee Roasters in February 2020—just before the world changed.