Every successful business starts with a solid plan. In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, aspiring entrepreneurs have access to a wide range of local resources designed to help you lay the groundwork for your business. The steps below will guide you through early planning so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Choose a step or scroll down for recommended resources.
At the beginning of each entrepreneurial journey is a spark—an idea you believe can solve a problem, fill a gap, or offer something new. Before diving into planning, take time to clearly define what your business will do, who it will serve, what makes it different, and so on. This early clarity will guide every decision you make moving forward. Local resources are available to help you shape and strengthen your concept from the very beginning.
Guides
Who Can Help
Provides one-on-one support for entrepreneurs developing business ideas and hosts the Idea Challenge, a pitch competition for early-stage concepts
🔗 eauclaire-wi.com
Offers free business consulting and in-depth market research tools to help you assess your idea’s potential
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Supports new entrepreneurs through business idea development, coaching, and training workshops, especially for underserved communities
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Connects you with experienced business mentors who can help you evaluate and shape your idea based on real-world insight
🔗 score.org
Provides startup guides, planning tools, and referrals to local partners who can help turn your idea into a business
🔗 sba.gov
Before you invest time and money into launching your business, it’s important to understand the market you’re entering. Who are your customers? What are they looking for? Who else is offering similar products or services? Conducting market research helps you answer those questions and decide whether your idea is truly viable. Eau Claire offers a range of resources to help you gather insights, test assumptions, and make informed decisions.
Guides
Who Can Help
Offers free one-on-one consulting and access to premium market research databases to help analyze your industry, customer demographics, competition, and spending trends
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Provides personalized support for entrepreneurs, including help identifying target markets and understanding local demand, especially helpful for women, low-income, and rural entrepreneurs
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Matches you with volunteer business mentors who can help interpret market research, offer industry-specific insights, and guide you through customer discovery
🔗 score.org
Offers an online hub including guides on identifying your market, plus links to demographic and industry data
🔗 sba.gov
Helps you understand local economic conditions, provides referrals to research experts, and directs you to useful tools or datasets for your specific type of business
🔗 eauclairedevelopment.com
Provides state-level industry snapshots, regional economic overviews, and access to reports and tools that can inform your market research
🔗 wedc.org
Even the best business ideas benefit from real-world testing. Before moving forward, it’s worth checking how your concept resonates with potential customers here in Eau Claire. This might mean creating a simple prototype, collecting honest feedback, or pitching your idea in a local competition. Validating your idea early helps you avoid costly missteps and build confidence in your direction. Eau Claire offers several opportunities to test and present your concept with community support.
Guides
Who Can Help
Offers entrepreneurs a weekly opportunity to present early-stage ideas, receive feedback, and build a local support network
🔗 1millioncups.com
Hosts a weekend-long event where participants develop, test, and pitch startup ideas with the help of local mentors and peers
🔗 startup48.co
Offers funding and mentorship through the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation to help entrepreneurs move early-stage business ideas forward
🔗 eauclaire-wi.com
Provides feedback and funding for emerging entrepreneurs through a live pitch event hosted by the Chippewa Falls Area Economic Development Corporation
🔗 chippewa-wi.com
Provides funding and publicity for startups in downtown Eau Claire
🔗 downtowneauclaire.org
Helps student and faculty entrepreneurs present their startup ideas and win seed funding
🔗 wisys.org
Provides free one-on-one consulting and tools to help assess business feasibility, refine ideas, and prepare for launch
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Offers individualized business coaching and training workshops to help entrepreneurs evaluate and improve their business ideas, especially for underserved populations
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Provides one-on-one support for entrepreneurs developing business ideas and hosts The Idea Challenge, a pitch competition for early-stage concepts
🔗 eauclaire-wi.com
Once you’ve confirmed there’s a market for your idea here in Eau Claire, it’s time to build a plan around it. A strong business plan outlines your products or services, operational strategy, target market, and financial projections. It helps clarify your vision, reduce risk, and demonstrate viability to potential lenders and partners. Fortunately, local and national organizations can guide you through the process with templates, tools, and expert advice.
Guides
Who Can Help
Offers business plan consulting services for startups
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Offers guided business plan development and refinement for entrepreneurs
🔗 score.org
Offers one-on-one assistance with business plan development for entrepreneurs
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Offers step-by-step guides to writing business plans for startups
🔗 sba.gov
Starting a business takes more than a great idea; it takes guidance and the right people in your corner. Whether you’re brand new to entrepreneurship or looking to sharpen specific skills to help grow your existing business, Eau Claire offers workshops, mentorship, learning opportunities, and advising tailored to small business owners. Getting connected early can help you avoid common pitfalls and tap into the experience of others who’ve been where you are now.
Guides
Who Can Help
Connects entrepreneurs with experienced volunteer mentors who offer personalized, ongoing business guidance and real-world insight at no cost
🔗 score.org
Provides entrepreneurs with connections to local mentor networks and peer learning opportunities through its business advising services
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Offers networking events, leadership programs, business advocacy, and opportunities to build long-term professional relationships with other entrepreneurs and business leaders
🔗 eauclairechamber.org
Helps with one-on-one mentorship, entrepreneurial peer support, and coaching programs, especially for low-income, rural, and women entrepreneurs
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Hosts networking and business support opportunities for entrepreneurs within the downtown district, along with mentoring through district programs and partnerships
🔗 downtowneauclaire.org
As you prepare to launch, one of the most important legal decisions you’ll make is how to structure your business. Whether you form a sole proprietorship, LLC, partnership, or corporation, your choice will affect your taxes, liability, how you raise capital, and more. The resources below can help you understand your options and choose the structure that best fits your goals.
Guides
Who Can Help
Offers free one-on-one guidance to help you understand the pros and cons of different business structures and how they relate to your specific situation
🔗 wisconsinsbdc.org
Provides startup coaching and support with selecting the right legal structure, especially for entrepreneurs launching small or home-based businesses
🔗 westerndairyland.org
Can help you evaluate entity types based on risk, scale, and long-term goals, and point you toward appropriate legal and tax resources
🔗 score.org
Covers the basics of each entity type and how they impact taxes, liability, and ownership
🔗 sba.gov
Outlines the federal tax implications of each business structure, including EIN requirements and filing responsibilities
🔗 irs.gov
Offers information on filing requirements and legal structure types for LLCs, corporations, and partnerships in Wisconsin
🔗 dfi.wi.gov
Learn more about key topics you’ll encounter during this phase of starting your business.
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Eau Claire offers a strong network of local resources designed to support...
Read More →Reach out to the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division for introductions to local partners who can help you prepare for opening day.