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Published 12/29/2025 at 9 a.m. Updated 12/29/2025 at 8 a.m.

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12/11/2025 8:36 am

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Small Business Event Calendar

Events held by local small business partners

Updated: Dec 11, 2025

The City of Raleigh enjoys an ecosystem of support organizations that focus on the success of small business owners. This calendar highlights small business-related events offered by these partners in the City of Raleigh. Event types include:

  • Training & resources
  • Public affairs, annual meetings & expos
  • Grant & funding application dates
  • Vendor or foot traffic opportunities
  • Networking events

  • Jan
    3

    Partner Event: One Page Business Plan for Startups - the Business Model Canvas

    10 a.m. • Saturday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-03 10:00:00 2026-01-03 12:00:00 Partner Event: One Page Business Plan for Startups - the Business Model Canvas Hosted by SCORE This course gives students a first-look introduction to the concept of business model canvas. Comparisons to traditional business planning will be shown. Students will learn about the use of a business model canvas as an early-stage or new company business planning tool. Students will get an overview and suggestions on how to take the first step with their mentors. Examples of completed versions will be shared along with templates and tools for further work with mentors or by themselves. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    6

    Partner Event: Economic Forecast 2026

    7 a.m. • Tuesday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-06 07:00:00 2026-01-06 10:00:00 Partner Event: Economic Forecast 2026 Hosted by Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce Economic Forecast 2026, presented by Wells Fargo, will kick off the business year with expert insights into the trends expected to shape our economy in the months ahead. This signature event brings together hundreds of regional business and civic leaders to examine key indicators that influence the national and local economy, real estate, workforce dynamics, and the broader business landscape. The program will feature economic briefings from:• Tom Barkin, President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond• Tim Quinlan, Managing Director and Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking We will then transition into a dynamic panel discussion, exploring how macroeconomic trends are shaping business decisions and strategic planning across various industries in 2026. Panelists include: • Tom Barkin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond• Danielle Y. Clermont, RCE, CAE, Chief Executive Officer, Raleigh Regional Association of REALTORS• Brian Leary, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Highwoods Properties• Tim Quinlan, Managing Director and Senior Economist, Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Banking The conversation will cover topics such as labor market trends, real estate outlooks, commercial development, innovation, and economic confidence. The panel will also take live questions from the audience. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain actionable insights and connect with leaders shaping the future of our region’s economy. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    7

    Partner Event: Funding Unlocked: Mastering the 5 C's of Business Credit

    10 a.m. • Wednesday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-07 10:00:00 2026-01-07 11:30:00 Partner Event: Funding Unlocked: Mastering the 5 C's of Business Credit Hosted by Wake TechStop risking your personal finances! This high-impact 1.5-hour seminar is designed for small business owners and entrepreneurs ready to take control of their financial destiny and secure the funding they need to grow. You Will Learn How To: Build the Foundation: Define the critical steps to effectively build and maintain a robust business credit profile.Measure Up: Understand the essential metrics used to evaluate creditworthiness, including a deep dive into the 5 C's of Credit.Separate & Conquer: Clarify the vital connection—and distinction—between your personal and business credit scores.Be Prepared: Identify every necessary document for fast, successful small business credit applications.Explore Alternatives: Discover viable alternative funding sources beyond traditional loans. Leave with a clear roadmap to maximized funding! City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    7

    Partner Event: Welcome To Entrepreneurship

    5:30 p.m. • Wednesday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-07 17:30:00 2026-01-07 19:30:00 Partner Event: Welcome To Entrepreneurship Hosted by SCORE This class is a must for anyone that is thinking about starting a business or has recently launched a business and has questions that need to be answered. We encourage you to bring with you any questions you might have. The class will be presented by Mr. Fred Lorber, a certified SCORE mentor and class instructor. Mr. Lorber is a seasoned entrepreneur, business development expert, and accomplished speaker with over three decades of experience in sales, strategic planning, and customer relationship management. Lorber’s areas of expertise include new business development, strategic planning, B2B sales, and negotiation, all honed through a diverse career that spans industries such as e-commerce, website development, hospitality, and retail. Mr. Lorber has consistently delivered results, including growing businesses from start-up to profitability, improving customer engagement metrics, and training teams to achieve operational excellence. During this two hour in-person session you will learn about: Personal characteristics of an Entrepreneur Legal entities—LLC vs. Sole Proprietorship Federal ID Number Business Feasibility Analysis Capital—Equity vs. Debt Basic Bookkeeping Made Easy Business Modeling Insurance Taxes—Filing requirements for Federal and State Lastly, you will be introduced to SCORE and the invaluable work that their Mentors provide to new start-ups. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    7

    Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina Webinar

    6 p.m. • Wednesday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-07 18:00:00 2026-01-07 20:00:00 Partner Event: Starting Your Small Business in North Carolina Webinar Hosted by SBA Navigating the requirements for starting a business in North Carolina can be confusing and sometimes the information friends and websites offer isn’t completely accurate. We’ll discuss the state, local, and federal requirements for doing business in our state and where to find resources our state offers to help you succeed. I have an EIN, what now? What’s the difference between a DBA, Sole Proprietorship, LLC, Corporation, and an S-Corp? How much will this cost? How long does it take? Where do I go to register? How do I get a license? Can I do this from home? Do I need a State Tax Number? Speaker: Sharon Walker is a Sr. Small Business Advisor with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. She is a business consultant with experience in customer service, technical support, and project management. Prior to coming to EDPNC, she has worked with government agencies, NC Department of Health & Human Services and NC Department of Revenue, and with large corporations, Kodak and WorldCom. Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact Sarah Espinosa at 910-672-2683 or sespinos@uncfsu.edu. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    8

    Applications Open: Facade Rehabilitation Grant

    Thursday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-08 00:00:00 2026-02-01 23:59:59 Applications Open: Facade Rehabilitation Grant The City of Raleigh's Facade Rehabilitation Grant program promotes growth and development by supporting small business owners in transforming their commercial buildings into vibrant, attractive spaces.  Property owners and businesses can receive matching reimbursement grants of up to $10,000 to refurbish the exteriors of their existing buildings, enhancing the community and stimulating economic activity.  Established in the 1980s to assist businesses and property owners in Raleigh’s Downtown and older commercial districts, the Facade Rehabilitation Grant Program has helped more than 100 businesses put a new “face” on the way they market their goods and services.  For more information and to ensure that you are eligible for the program, view the program brochure or the Facade Grant FAQ. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    8

    Applications Open: Building Upfit Grant

    Thursday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-08 00:00:00 2026-02-01 23:59:59 Applications Open: Building Upfit Grant The City of Raleigh's Building Up-fit Grant encourages growth and development by assisting property owners who want to activate their vacant or underutilized commercial building space in Raleigh to create new business use or new jobs.  For more information and to ensure that you are eligible for the program, view: Program brochure Up-fit Grant FAQ City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    9

    Partner Event: How to Start a Business in Wake County

    10:30 a.m. • Friday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-09 10:30:00 2026-01-09 12:00:00 Partner Event: How to Start a Business in Wake County Hosted by Wake TechUnderstanding the basics of starting a business in this seminar that takes you from idea to opportunity. Learn key strategies for startup, financing, and marketing, as well as important information about legal issues, licensing, zoning, operations, and more. Realize the importance of self-assessment and how to evaluate the feasibility of your business idea. Discover the resources available to help you start and successfully operate your business. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    10

    Partner Event: Pricing Your Product or Service

    10:30 a.m. • Saturday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-10 10:30:00 2026-01-10 12:00:00 Partner Event: Pricing Your Product or Service Hosted by SCORE Setting the right price for your products or services can make or break your business. In this interactive workshop, small business owners and entrepreneurs will learn how to calculate costs, research the competition, and apply pricing models. We’ll cover the fundamentals of identifying direct and indirect costs, separating fixed and variable expenses, and ensuring your prices cover costs while delivering value to customers. We’ll also review common pricing strategies—such as cost-plus, value-based, and competitive pricing—and discuss when each approach works best. By the end of the session, you’ll have a clear process for setting sustainable, profitable prices that support your business goals and keep you competitive in your market. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Jan
    13

    Partner Event: The Questions Successful Entrepreneurs Ask (Before Spending a Dime)

    11 a.m. • Tuesday
    Add to Calendar 2026-01-13 11:00:00 2026-01-13 12:30:00 Partner Event: The Questions Successful Entrepreneurs Ask (Before Spending a Dime) Hosted by Wake TechThis webinar will be presented via Microsoft Teams platform. If you've never used Teams it will ask you to download onto your computer. We ask that you go ahead and complete this step, utilizing the same First Name, Last Name and Email address used during registration. Once you do this it will allow you access to the webinar. We recommend that you sign in to the webinar at least five minutes prior to the start of the session to ensure you don't have any technical issues. City of Raleigh America/New_York public

Contact

 

Jocelyn Sanchez
Small Business and Workforce Development Analyst
jocelyn.sanchez@raleighnc.gov
984-220-2958

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Lead Department:
Economic and Social Advancement
Service Categories:
Small Business Development