Overview
The Office of Business & Entrepreneurship (OBE) helps entrepreneurs, businesses, and economic development professionals across the state to achieve their goals through expert consulting, educational resources and training, technical assistance, economic reports, and a dynamic statewide network.
Through our four distinct program units, OBE helps Wisconsin businesses perform at their highest levels. We help ideas and innovators succeed. We’re Wisconsin’s hub for specialized resources — many at no cost — to help business owners grow.
- The Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC), serves and supports startups and existing businesses in every county in Wisconsin. The SBDC offers consulting, education, and referrals to other needed business resources
- The Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) guides small businesses and innovators as they develop innovative products, connect to investors across Wisconsin, and apply for federal funding. Support is given through programming, counseling, and funding support.
- The Food Finance Institute (FFI) leverages and supports a collaborative network of professionals focused on building and funding profitable businesses in the food, beverage, and value-added agriculture sector.
- YourEconomy reports economic trends, dating back to 1998, by industry and establishment, for each geographic region in Wisconsin.
Leadership
Bon Wikenheiser
Executive Director
Contact
1568 Van Hise Hall
1220 Linden Dr.
Madison, WI 53706
Telephone: (608) 263-7812
bon.wikenheiser@business.wisconsin.edu
Staff
Lora Bray
Outreach Learning Manager
Telephone: (920) 808-0061
lora.bray@business.wisconsin.edu
Dan Brosman
Strategic Projects Associate Director
Telephone: (608) 262-2720
dan.brosman@business.wisconsin.edu
Dylan Brown
Business Navigator Outreach Program Manager
Telephone: (608) 690-0748
dylan.brown@business.wisconsin.edu
Gina Ferraro
Business Affairs Director
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-3166
gina.ferraro@business.wisconsin.edu
Jason Geissler
IBE Operational Data Specialist
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (262) 666-3807
jason.geissler@business.wisconsin.edu
Paula Gilbeck
Strategic Communications & Outreach Manager
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-9784
paula.gilbeck@business.wisconsin.edu
Cayla Leikin
IBE Grant Administrator
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-0221
cayla.leikin@business.wisconsin.edu
Colleen Merrill
Strategic Projects Director
colleen.merrill@business.wisconsin.edu
Kody Ova
Marketing and Communications Specialist
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (701) 320-7502
kody.ova@business.wisconsin.edu
Stephanie Robey
Outreach Program Coordinator
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-7794
stephanie.robey@business.wisconsin.edu
James Wegener
Accountant
780 Regent St.
Suite 305
Madison, WI 53715
Telephone: (608) 263-7805
james.wegener@business.wisconsin.edu