The Business Academy @IUN

Small Business Savvy

The Business Academy @IUN provides training in business and management concepts, as well as access to helpful resources, geared specifically to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The information you find here is ideal for people interested in launching or expanding their own business.

We assist entrepreneurs and small business owners in several ways.

We open our doors on the fourth Saturday of every month from 10 am to noon to provide one-on-one consulting to entrepreneurs and small business owners. Our Small Business Clinic provides a resource for business-specific advice and encouragement provided by consultants who possess business ownership experience. Need more help? Ask about our student project program, student internship program, or consulting services.

We also host monthly speakers who discuss topics of interest to small business owners and entrepreneurs. We host business professionals who are working with business owners every day to share their expertise, then we spend time networking and connecting.

In addition, we collaborate with local experts to present workshops, conferences, and other special events of particular interest to small business owners, startups, and entrepreneurs.

Lastly, we provide educational videos on our YouTube channel.

Whether you 'just have an idea,' are ready to put your plan on paper or open your doors, or are actively operational and ready to expand, the IU Northwest Business Academy stands ready to come alongside to help you on your journey. Connect with us today!

Upcoming events

  • April 27, 2024 – SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC
    • Dunes 1156
    • 10 am to noon
    • Obtain one-on-one assistance from people with business ownership experience.
  • May 18, 2024 – WORKSHOP
    • Library Conference Center Room 105
    • 5:30 pm to 8 pm
    • We are pleased to join forces with IronWorkz who will present an overview of their 2023 exposure to entrepreneurship offerings. Titled ‘2023 Reverb: The Exposure You Needed,’ this program is sure to get you excited and informed about business ownership.
  • May 24, 2024 – SPEAKER SERIES
    • Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center
    • 9 am to noon
    • How to grow any business with no marketing experience, Andrew Huff, HuffMedia LLC
  • May 25, 2024 – SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC
    • Dunes 1156
    • 10 am to noon
    • Obtain one-on-one assistance from people with business ownership experience.
  • June 7, 2024 – SPEAKER SERIES
    • Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center
    • 9 am to noon
    • Grant Writing Basics, Janell Harvey
  • June 22, 2024 – SMALL BUSINESS CLINIC
    • Dunes 1156
    • 10 am to noon
    • Obtain one-on-one assistance from people with business ownership experience.
  • June 27, 2024 – WORKSHOP
    • Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center
    • 1 pm to 5 pm
    • We are pleased to join forces with the Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana to bring you information about small business resources and obtaining governmental contracts.

For more information on navigating our campus and parking, see the campus map.

Connect with the Center for Professional Development

For more than 20 years, the Center for Professional Development has been a catalyst for business innovation and career advancement in Northwest Indiana.

From business consulting to professional certifications and training programs for small businesses, we offer affordable, high-quality programs to transform your professional success.

From software training for administrative professionals to process improvement courses for managers and teams, the Center for Professional Development is the region’s best choice for professional certifications. Contact Director Jana Szostek for more information.

Connect with the School of Business and Economics

Connect with Business Support Organizations

Many resources are available for entrepreneurs and small business owners in Northwest Indiana. The links below provide wealth of information pertaining to starting a business.