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Navigating the complex landscape of financial resources available to Illinois businesses can be overwhelming, but understanding these opportunities can significantly impact your company's growth and success. This Coffee on Us session focused on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Illinois offers a robust ecosystem of financial support programs designed to help businesses at every stage of development, from early-stage startups to established companies looking to expand. However, many entrepreneurs are unaware of these resources or don't know how to access them effectively. This informal, expert-led discussion will demystify the process and provide practical guidance on leveraging available programs.

Who Should Attend:

• Illinois business owners seeking funding opportunities
• Entrepreneurs exploring state and federal financing options
• Startups preparing for capital raises and looking for additional resources
• Established businesses considering expansion financing
• Anyone interested in understanding the Illinois business support ecosystem

Come prepared with questions about your specific funding needs and challenges.

About the Facilitator

Michelle Lura White

Women’s Business Development Manager, Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3)

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

DCEO link  | DCEO-OE3 link

Serving as the state of Illinois’ chief strategist of the women’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO) Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3), Women’s Business Development Manager Michelle Lura White equips women-owned businesses, future women business owners, and aspiring female entrepreneurs throughout Illinois with resources and connections. Michelle also supports cross-sector organizations and leaders throughout the state who assist business owners. In Michelle’s statewide role as the Women’s Business Development Manager, she analyzes how the state can collaborate with cross-sector ecosystems to advance Illinois women in all parts of the state, develops tools to increase women entrepreneurs’ knowledge, and contributes to position Illinois to be one of the top U.S. states for women entrepreneurs, among her many responsibilities.

Prior to joining state government, Michelle worked on developing an app prototype for singles, together with a technology co-founder and was accepted into The Founder Institute, which is the world's most proven network to turn ideas into fundable startups. Having not been defined by a particular sector, industry, or role throughout her career journey in the Midwest, Michelle has been a behind the scenes intrapreneur, transformational strategist, partnerships creator, organizer, and project manager focused on results for cross-sector stakeholders. Michelle has a BS in Business Management and Marketing from Concordia University Wisconsin and a MA in Political Science at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Growing up in a farm village near Starved Rock State Park in Illinois in a three generational household, Michelle possesses unique lenses from different experiences. Outside entrepreneurship and economic development, Michelle’s interests include supporting restaurant owners, watching sports, reading business publications, playing tennis, stairclimbing, and taking Midwest road trips to visit family & friends.

Michelle's expertise in navigating government funding programs, combined with her practical experience supporting entrepreneurs, makes her particularly effective at helping business owners understand and access available financial resources. Her work focuses on creating equitable economic opportunities and removing barriers for underserved business communities.

About the Organization

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) creates equitable economic opportunities across Illinois by attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening the workforce, fostering innovation, and advancing the clean energy economy. The Office of Economic Equity & Empowerment (OE3) specifically advocates for equitable economic opportunities for minority, women, veteran-owned businesses, businesses owned by persons with disabilities, and other underserved communities. Through targeted programs, resources, and outreach activities, OE3 creates an inclusive business ecosystem for communities that have traditionally faced systemic barriers to entry and growth.

• State of Illinois government’s resources, including from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) such as:
  • Advantage Illinois loan program | link
  • Illinois Innovation Venture Fund (INVENT), an SSBCI-funded venture capital program | link
  • DCEO’s grant programs | link
  • Online with OE3 monthly webinar | link
  • Financial Capital Resources Guide for Illinois Businesses | link

• Federal government resources
  • US. Small Business Administration (SBA) | link
  • International Trade Administration (ITA) | link
  • US. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | link
  • Grants.gov

• Local governments’ resources and additional cross-sector resources
  • Local Illinois governments’ resources | link
  • Financial Capital Resources Guide for Illinois Businesses | link