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Institute for Innovation & EntrepreneurshipWomen's Business Center

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Creating a Path for Success

At Women's Business Center (WBC), we're inspired by women who are empowered, impassioned, and committed to success. Recognizing the challenges of an increasingly complex marketplace, we work to educate, inspire and support women entrepreneurs as they launch and grow influential, profitable businesses.

As part of the ODU Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE), the mission of the WBC is to enable women's entrepreneurship by providing low to no cost tools for women to successfully own, operate and grow their small business, thereby creating economic opportunities and job growth by investing financially, intellectually and emotionally in the Hampton Roads community.

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LISC Hampton Roads Invests $825,000 in Small Business Assistance Initiatives

With a continued commitment to supporting small businesses, LISC Hampton Roads awarded ODU Women's Business Center with a $75,000 grant during a special presentation at the organization's 10-year anniversary event.



I would first like to thank you all for the opportunity to be a part of the Dreambuilders program. This was an AMAZING experience and although we have already started our business, we learned SO much!!! Words cannot express my gratitude for this opportunity!!!

- Tawana Randolph

Thanks for all your assistance. I received my SWaM certification notice last week and have been hired to serve as Executive Director of Hospice House of Hampton Roads and am writing grants for Make-a-Wish. I really appreciate your tips and the online sessions.

- Lynn Clements

This class has been more rewarding than I had even imagined. Your expertise, encouragement and push has propelled me to continue to build and launch a vision that has been in my heart for years.

- Teresa Lewis, DreamBuilder Entrepreneurship Training Participant



Create a Member Profile to Get Started

Creating a Member Profile gives you to access all the services and resources WBC can provide. Registration is fast, easy, and free. The benefits of membership include:

  • Quick and easy event registration
  • Safe & secure auto-completion of government forms for your business
  • Confidential business advice at no charge
  • Unlimited access to our paid database of business and marketing materials
  • Connection to a growing local network of successful entrepreneurs


210

New Jobs Created


$27.5 M

Added to our economy


330

businesses counseled


9,600

Hours of Training


100

New Businesses Opened



Education, training & resources to help you:


  • Start your own business from the ground up
  • Maximize business growth and profitability
  • Develop strategic management methods
  • Improve leadership and business skills
  • Acquire a support, referral and resource network
  • Access capital and manage cash flow
  • Market your business and keep it competitive

Attend an Event - ONLINE!


Oct 5

Business Planning Research (October 2023)

10/05/2023 6:00 PM - 10/05/2023 8:00 PM

Join Us! Our Center has access to premier resources and can provide an overview of major business information sources. Learn how to... (More)




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Women's Business Center (WBC) is funded in part by a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and is a program of the Old Dominion University (ODU) Institute for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (IIE).
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Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

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Get an inside look into your major of interest when you speak to professors and current students at our monthly First Friday events.

Freshman Orientation

Welcome to the Monarch Nation! Orientation will be hosted on-campus. Events include course selection and registration, an overview of resources and a preview of campus life.