MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Extension’s recently renamed Division for Business and Entrepreneurship supports UW System institutions and Wisconsin community organizations with education and information services focused on business creation, growth and performance.

The division is a collection of business support organizations and initiatives assembled to provide specialized resources and expertise across the state.

“Wisconsin’s campuses and communities all have services and resources available to support business development. Our work at the division helps to leverage and connect extra financial support, specialized expertise and technical resources that add value to the local effort. We see an increased level of efficiency and collaborative vitality that fits perfectly with the Wisconsin Idea,” noted Executive Director Mark Lange.

This name change away from the Division of Entrepreneurship and Economic Development reflects the focus on existing businesses and entrepreneurial development rather than on the broader scope of economic development.

The Division for Business and Entrepreneurship serves businesses and entrepreneurs via the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center Network, Center for Technology Commercialization, Center for Business Intelligence, Manufacturing Diversity Institute and the Food Finance Institute.

In conjunction with campus and community providers in 2014, the division helped business clients add 505 new jobs, aspiring entrepreneurs start 170 new businesses, and growing companies add more than $75 million in capital through loans, grants, investors and new equipment purchases.