Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The University of Pittsburgh’s SBDC, part of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, is a resource for small business owners that provides consulting, workshops, and other specialty business-building support at all stages of the business lifecycle.

Bids for PGH in the blue sky of the Pittsburgh city skyline

Contract Connections: Bids for PGH

October 6, 2020

A no-cost, 3-session webinar series for small businesses to gain access to City of Pittsburgh contract solicitations & be prepared for Request for Proposals (RFPs) approval.

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Doing Business With Pitt

January 20, 2021

Doing Business with Pitt is a no-cost informational session for small businesses to learn about gaining contracts with the University of Pittsburgh system.

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UPMC Essentials for Success Maryland

UPMC Essentials for Success [MORNING WEBINAR] – Maryland

April 27, 2021

Attendees of this no-cost webinar will learn about the UPMC vendor approval and bidding process and receive materials to help improve your overall business acumen during this no-cost webinar. This session is open to all small businesses operating throughout the state of Maryland.

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UPMC Essentials for Success Maryland

UPMC Essentials for Success [AFTERNOON WEBINAR] – Maryland

April 27, 2021

Attendees of this no-cost webinar will learn about the UPMC vendor approval and bidding process and receive materials to help improve your overall business acumen during this no-cost webinar. This session is open to all small businesses operating throughout the state of Maryland.

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UPMC Essentials for Success New York State

UPMC Essentials for Success [MORNING WEBINAR] – New York

April 28, 2021

Attendees of this no-cost webinar will learn about the UPMC vendor approval and bidding process and receive materials to help improve your overall business acumen during this no-cost webinar. This session is open to all small businesses operating throughout the state of New York.

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UPMC Essentials for Success New York State

UPMC Essentials for Success [AFTERNOON WEBINAR] – New York

April 28, 2021

Attendees of this no-cost webinar will learn about the UPMC vendor approval and bidding process and receive materials to help improve your overall business acumen during this no-cost webinar. This session is open to all small businesses operating throughout the state of New York.

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Search Engine Optimization 101 [WEBINAR]

October 19, 2021

A no-cost, 1-hour Pitt SBDC webinar discussing the importance of small businesses optimizing their websites to better communicate with the top search engines and tips and tools on how to do that.

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Doing Business With Pitt

February 8, 2022

Doing Business with Pitt is a no-cost informational session for small businesses to learn about gaining contracts with the University of Pittsburgh system.

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Exim Bank Export-Import Bank of the United States logo

EXIM Export Working Capital Financing

February 16, 2022

No-cost webinar about guaranteeing an export loan thru your bank or private lender to help secure financing for international sales with representatives from EXIM Bank and other supporting organizations.

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2nd Step: Developing a Business Plan (May 2022)

May 20, 2022

2nd Step of the Pitt SBDC’s no-cost business development and growth course for those thinking about starting a business or established small businesses operating fewer than one year. Registration to open soon.

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Small Business Seeds for Growth logo with a young woman looking toward another person in conversation at a table at work

Seeds for Growth

June 8, 2022

An awareness & resources event helping to build access for Minority, Women & Veteran owned companies small businesses.

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SBDC Open Office Hours – Bethel Park

September 1, 2022

Thinking about starting a business? Or looking for help to grow your existing one? Customized consulting sessions with the Pitt SBDC can support you with virtually any aspect involved in running your business.

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SBDC Open Office Hours – Bethel Park

September 22, 2022

Thinking about starting a business? Or looking for help to grow your existing one? Customized consulting sessions with the Pitt SBDC can support you with virtually any aspect involved in running your business. We’re here to help.

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SBDC Open Office Hours – Bethel Park

October 13, 2022

Thinking about starting a business? Or looking for help to grow your existing one? Customized consulting sessions with the Pitt SBDC can support you with virtually any aspect involved in running your business. We’re here to help.

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Partnering With Pitt

February 21, 2023

No-Cost Event Series Focused on Creating New Local Supplier Engagements with the University of Pittsburgh for Small Businesses

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (February 2024)

February 27, 2024

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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Doing Business With Pitt

May 10, 2024

Doing Business with Pitt is a no-cost informational session for small businesses to learn about gaining contracts with the University of Pittsburgh system.

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (June 2024)

June 11, 2024

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (Sept 2024)

September 12, 2024

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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Increase Your Sales with Google Tools [WEBINAR]

October 2, 2024

Prepare your online presence for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and the holiday shopping season with this no-cost business training! Get ready to maximize your online visibility and increase sales! Join our no-cost webinar to unlock applicable tools and tactics with Google Tools to transform your online presence and improve your sales strategies!

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UPMC Essentials for Success Symposium 2024

October 4, 2024

Join the no-cost program for previous Essentials for Success participants & new diverse suppliers wishing to learn about opportunities with UPMC. At the event, hear how UPMC works with small businesses, and receive insight and resources to help do business with large organizations like UPMC.

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (December 2024)

December 3, 2024

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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Go Global: Make the World Your Market

March 6, 2025

This no-cost, comprehensive, “basics of exporting” seminar is for U.S. companies who want to start exporting, find new markets, and grow sales overseas. Topics will include Export Readiness, Export Marketing, Export Financing, and Export Logistics.

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (March 2025)

March 11, 2025

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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Abre Tu Negocio en Pittsburgh – Marzo 2025

March 26, 2025

¡Todos están invitados a asistir al seminario en español sobre negocios! Si deseas estar independiente, tener el control de tus finanzas, y crecer tu negocio, este seminario es para ti. Actualmente hay 4 millones de negocios Latinos en los Estados Unidos! Ven y enterate de todos los servicios que estan disponibles. Universidad de Pittsburgh, Centro de Negocios SBDC (Small Business Development Center), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE).

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Licensed to Sell: Licensing

April 24, 2025

A 3-part virtual workshop series designed to prepare suppliers for the University’s upcoming Request for Proposal (RFP) process.

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Get Capital Ready

May 13, 2025

In this workshop, small business owners will hear from banks, community development financial institutions, and other economic development agencies and nonprofit lenders about all the financing opportunities available to them.

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Doing Business with Pitt

May 16, 2025

Doing Business with Pitt is a no-cost informational session for small businesses to learn about gaining contracts with the University of Pittsburgh system.

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The Power of Contracts- WEBINAR (June 2025)

June 10, 2025

Master the essentials of contract law and empower your small business or startup with the knowledge needed to best secure your interests and avoid common pitfalls in contracts for products, services, and employment.

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Abre Tu Negocio en Pittsburgh – Junio 2025

June 12, 2025

¡Todos están invitados a asistir al seminario en español sobre negocios! Si deseas estar independiente, tener el control de tus finanzas, y crecer tu negocio, este seminario es para ti. Actualmente hay 4 millones de negocios Latinos en los Estados Unidos! Ven y enterate de todos los servicios que estan disponibles. Universidad de Pittsburgh, Centro de Negocios SBDC (Small Business Development Center), Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE).

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1st Step: Mechanics of Starting a New Business (July 2025)

July 18, 2025

Thinking of starting a small business? Begin exploring the size of your market and what marketing tools you’ll need to attract customers, learn about business structures, access helpful resources, learn about available funding options and understand what you need to formally establish your business.

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