Downtown Raleigh skyline

Small Business Event Calendar

Events held by local small business partners

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

  • Oct
    23
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-23 12:00:00 2025-10-23 13:00:00 Partner Event: Practical Advice: Prepare for your Free Consultation with Attorney Hosted by Wake TechEffective collaboration begins with a shared understanding, and this seminar will provide insights into fostering open and productive conversations. Learn to organize your business affairs in a way that not only facilitates legal compliance but also enhances the efficiency of your operations. Develop a set of customized questions to make the most out of your consultation. Understand how to extract pertinent information from your attorney to make informed decisions that align with your business objectives. By the end of this seminar, participants will be well-equipped to approach their free business consultation with confidence, ensuring that legal considerations become a strategic asset rather than a hindrance. This 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
  • Oct
    23
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-23 18:00:00 2025-10-23 20:00:00 Partner Event: Practical Tools to Promote Your Business Webinar Hosted by NC Veterans Business Outreach Center  Using the right tools can make marketing your business easier and more effective. In this class, you’ll explore practical tools for websites, social media, email, and other ways to reach your customers. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of which tools fit your business and how to start using them immediately. 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. Instructions:  Registration is required. This class will not be recorded. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    23
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-23 19:00:00 2025-10-23 20:00:00 Partner Event: Debt Readiness: Head, Heart, and Numbers Hosted by SBTDCTaking on debt can be a powerful way to grow your business — but only if you and your business are truly ready. Being prepared goes beyond the numbers; it requires the right mindset, clear goals, and confidence in your ability to manage repayment. This session will help you evaluate both the financial and emotional aspects of borrowing so you can make informed, strategic decisions about using debt as a tool for growth. In this webinar, participants will learn: What “debt readiness” means for business owners How to assess your financial capacity to take on and manage debt The mental and emotional factors that influence borrowing decisions Common myths and fears about business debt — and how to address them How to align debt with your long-term business goals Practical steps to strengthen your readiness before applying for a loan City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    27
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-27 12:00:00 2025-10-27 16:00:00 Partner Event: Research Triangle Professionals NSBE 2025-26 Kick-off Event Hosted by National Society of Black EngineersJoin the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) to network with NSBE, learn about membership, and explore partnership opportunities. At the beginning of this event, the City of Raleigh Business Engagement and Opportunities Program will be presenting about contracting opportunities with the City.Register on Eventbrite.  City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    27
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-27 18:00:00 2025-10-27 20:00:00 Partner Event: Automation & Productivity Tools for Small Businesses Webinar Hosted by NC Veterans Business Outreach Center  Learn how to streamline your workflow with systems and apps for scheduling, customer relationship management, proposals and contracts, invoicing, and more. From solopreneurs to medium-sized businesses, these tools can be adapted to fit your business model and help you save time while growing your business. 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. Instructions:  Registration is required. This class will not be recorded. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    28
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-28 12:30:00 2025-10-28 14:30:00 Partner Event: Simple Steps for Starting Your Business #1 Hosted by SCOREStart-up Basics: This introductory workshop focuses on the basics of testing your business idea and identifying the key factors that influence start-up success. Start-up Basics provides you with an overview of the skills and tools you need when deciding to start a business. In this session, you learn about: the advantages and disadvantages of owning a business, the most profitable form for your business, and the fundamentals of formation, organization, marketing, cash flow and funding sources. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    28
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-28 18:00:00 2025-10-28 21:00:00 Partner Event: How to Write a Business Plan Webinar Hosted by NC Veterans Business Outreach Center  Need some extra support developing your business plan?  Join us for this class as we walk through the business planning template. Learn how the business plan is broken down, where to find the information required, and how that information can benefit you and your business. Relevant resources will also be share to support in writing your plan.  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. Instructions:  Registration is required. This class will not be recorded. City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Oct
    30
    Add to Calendar 2025-10-30 18:00:00 2025-10-30 20:00:00 Partner Event: How to Increase Your Credit Score to Over 740 Points; Prepare for a Bank Business Loan! Webinar Hosted by NC Veterans Business Outreach Center  Credit rules and regulations are constantly changing.  Whereas the major factors used in determining our credit scores have not changed in many years, there were multiple changes made in the Fall of 2022 and the Summer of 2023 that positively or negatively affect consumer credit scores.  These changes as well as the "basics" and many legal "tricks" on "How to Increase Your Credit Score to Over 740 Points" are revealed in this informative seminar presented by Bob Moore.  Other items discussed during this seminar include how many credit cards you should have and the proper way to use these cards, what to do with credit cards you have had for a long time but you no longer use, how to read and understand credit reports, how to obtain your credit reports and scores without paying for them, and the latest factors used in calculating our FICO,   Beacon, or  Vantage scores.  You will learn how to raise your score simply by the way you use your credit cards, treat inquiries, make your payments, and carry balances.  Using several proven methods, your credit score could increase by 50-100 points or more within 60 days. Make plans to attend now! 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
  • Nov
    5

    Partner Event: Getting the Grant

    6 p.m. • Wednesday
    Add to Calendar 2025-11-05 18:00:00 2025-11-05 20:00:00 Partner Event: Getting the Grant Hosted by Triangle ArtWorksIf you've ever wondered how to navigate the world of arts funding, Getting the Grant for Artists and Performers is the workshop for you. Whether you’re a visual artist or a performing artist, this two-hour virtual session will demystify the grant application process and help you feel more confident when pursuing opportunities that can support and sustain your creative work. Led by acclaimed cellist, singer-songwriter, and teaching artist Shana Tucker, this session will walk you through how to read and interpret grant applications, submission best practices, and creative ways to help your application stand out from the rest. EARLY BIRD PRICING THROUGH OCT 31, $33 GENERAL PRICING THROUGH NOV 4, $38 DAY OF WORKSHOP PRICING $48 discount will be applied at checkout Drawing from her extensive experience both as a grant recipient and as a reviewer for regional and national granting organizations, Shana shares practical tips and insider insights into what grant panels are really looking for. You'll learn how to effectively present yourself and your work, communicate impact, and avoid common mistakes. Shana’s encouraging, mentorship-based approach creates a supportive space for learning and asking questions. You will receive digital handouts before the session, and will leave the workshop equipped with new strategies, helpful tools, and a clearer understanding of how to pursue funding opportunities. Whether you're just starting to explore grants or ready to refine your approach, this workshop will give you the confidence and knowledge you need to get the grant. About your instructor: Shana Tucker is a dynamic singer-songwriter, cellist, composer, teaching artist and arts leader. She is dedicated to building connections through candid song-storytelling and equitable arts education. As the founding artist/owner of ChamberSoul, Shana brings value to her community through performance, teaching and arts advocacy, creating opportunities that utilize artistry and leadership skills to inspire and guide artists to be more insightful and intentional in their creative processes. A committed arts advocate, Shana has served on several nonprofit arts organizations’ board of directors or advisory boards, including Blaire Publisher, Washington Women in Jazz, and North Carolina Presenters Consortium. Shana has a proven track record in successful fundraising, campaign creation and execution, and donor engagement, most recently serving as Executive Director of Kidznotes. Shana is dedicated to empowering fellow artists to identify and secure sustainable project funding opportunities by helping them articulate the significance and impact of their craft through the creation of compelling narratives. Her efforts exemplify the importance of advocacy and support within the arts sector, ultimately strengthening its vitality and resilience by enabling more projects to come to fruition. Learn more about Shana’s work here.  City of Raleigh America/New_York public
  • Nov
    5
    Add to Calendar 2025-11-05 18:30:00 2025-11-05 20:00:00 Partner Event: The Busy Owner's Guide to Executing a Marketing Plan Hosted by Wake TechFeeling overwhelmed by marketing? This seminar is for you! Learn to streamline your marketing efforts and achieve big results with minimal time. We'll cover high-impact strategies, automation tools, and free resources to help you build a sustainable marketing plan that fits your busy schedule. Stop drowning in to-dos and start attracting more customers with less effort. Register now and take control of your marketing! THIS IS A LIVE SEMINAR WITH LIMITED SEATING- PLEASE PRE-REGISTER! City of Raleigh America/New_York public

Contact

 

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

Subscribe

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