Watertown Development Company

Entrepreneur's Education Collaborative: Understanding Capital Options and Debunking Myths
2026-05-19 11:30 - 12:30 UTC
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Online Only)
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CDT
Entrepreneur’s Education Collaborative: Understanding Capital Options and Debunking Myths
Description: Access to capital is one of the most important factors in launching, sustaining, and growing a small business. Yet many business owners face confusion, misinformation, and uncertainty when exploring their funding options. This panel discussion brings together lending and investment experts to provide a clear, honest, and actionable overview of today’s capital landscape. Attendees will learn how different funding sources work, what lenders and investors truly look for, and how to prepare a business to be capital ready. The conversation will also address common myths that often discourage entrepreneurs from pursuing the financial support they need. By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to match the right type of capital to their business stage, goals, and long-term growth plans. Key Topics:

Overview of options for different funding sources
Common myths about accessing capital and the realities small businesses need to know
Preparing your business to be ready for lenders and investors
How to align the right type of capital with your business stage and growth goals

Cost: Free
Location: Online
Questions contact: Karol Gonzalez Rivera, karol.gonzalezrivera@cityofomaha.org
Registration Link: https://www.sba.gov/event/83724

SCORE: Amplify Your Brand: Creating Marketing Strategies Around Major Events
2026-05-19 12:00 - 13:00
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Online Only)
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
SCORE: Amplify Your Brand: Creating Marketing Strategies Around Major Events
Description: Major events like the FIFA World Cup or the Olympics can be a great opportunity for businesses to get in front of new audiences, build excitement, and increase visibility. However, without a clear strategy, it can be easy to miss the opportunity to turn that attention into lasting brand growth. Join Sharon Lee Thony, Founder and CEO of SLT Consulting, for a strategic webinar on creating a marketing campaign that captures the excitement of major events while supporting your overall brand goals. With over 20 years of marketing experience, Sharon has helped brands create campaigns that drive engagement and long-term growth. In this session, she’ll show you how to design event-driven marketing strategies that strengthen brand presence, connect with customers, and maintain momentum even after the event ends. In this webinar, you will learn how to:

Design marketing strategies around major events to amplify brand presence
Use event-driven campaigns to increase customer engagement and awareness
Sustain momentum from major events for long-term brand growth
Identify practical ways to integrate event-based marketing into your overall strategy

Cost: Free
Location: Online
Questions contact: SCORE, 800-634-0245
Registration Link: https://www.sba.gov/event/83702

APEX Accelerator: Limitations on Subcontracting: A Step-by-Step Compliance Guide (2026 Update)
2026-05-19 12:00 - 13:30
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 (Online Only)
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CDT
APEX Accelerator: Limitations on Subcontracting: A Step-by-Step Compliance Guide (2026 Update)
Description: Limitations on Subcontracting (LoS) is one of the most confusing—and most enforced—rules in government contracting. For small businesses and their teaming partners, getting it wrong can lead to serious consequences. And the challenge? You may be asked to prove compliance at any point—before, during, or after contract performance. This training breaks down LoS in clear, practical terms so you can understand what’s required and how to stay compliant. What You’ll Learn:

What the limitations on subcontracting rule actually requires
How LoS applies to set-aside and sole-source contracts
A step-by-step process to determine and maintain compliance
Common pitfalls that can put your company at risk
Real-world examples to help you apply the rule with confidence

Why This Matters

LoS isn’t just a technical requirement—it’s an area of active enforcement. Missteps can result in penalties, lost contracts, and reputational damage.

What You’ll Walk Away With

A clear understanding of how to navigate LoS requirements and a practical framework you can use to confidently assess compliance with your contracts.

Who This Is For

Small businesses performing or pursuing set-aside contracts (8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB)
Prime contractors responsible for ensuring compliance on awarded contracts
Subcontractors and teaming partners who need to understand their role in compliance
Business development, contracts, and compliance professionals

Cost: Free
Location: Online
Questions contact: Veronica Doga, nebraskaAPEX@unomaha.edu
Registration Link: https://www.sba.gov/event/83594

Pitching Your Business: What Investors Actually Want to Hear
2026-05-19 15:30 - 17:00
Pitching Your Business: What Investors Actually Want to Hear

Tuesday, May 19, 2026
3:30 PM 5:00 PM

Business & Health Innovation Center, Northern State University1200 S Jay StreetAberdeen, SD, 57401United States (map)

Learn what investors, lenders, and judges actually want to hear. Mike will cover how to structure your pitch, what to include (and what to leave out), and how to communicate your value clearly and confidently. Perfect for entrepreneurs preparing for a competition or pitching to a bank or angel investor.
Presenter: Mike Bockorny, CEO of The 17-20 Group and Economic Development Professionals Association (EDPA) of South Dakota

Register Here

APEX Accelerator: Unlocking DoD Industrial Base Opportunities: Navigating IBAS, OTAs, and the Cornerstone Consortium
2026-05-20 12:00 - 13:30
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 (Online Only)
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. CDT
APEX Accelerator: Unlocking DoD Industrial Base Opportunities: Navigating IBAS, OTAs, and the Cornerstone Consortium
Description: The Department of Defense is investing billions of dollars to strengthen and expand the United States defense industrial base. These investments span advanced manufacturing, supply chain resiliency, workforce development, automation, technology innovation, and critical capability expansion. This training provides a practical roadmap to understanding and engaging directly with the Department of Defense through the Cornerstone Consortium in support of the Department’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. We will cover:

What the IBAS program is and how it strengthens the defense industrial base
What the DoD is seeking from innovative businesses across manufacturing, workforce development, supply chain modernization, automation, cybersecurity, advanced technologies, and critical infrastructure
How the Cornerstone Consortium functions as a gateway into DoD industrial base initiatives
How to identify and respond to opportunities posted as Special Notices on SAM.gov
How to submit white papers and unsolicited proposals
How Other Transaction (OT) agreements under 10 U.S.C. 4022 (DoD
Prototype OT Authority) enable flexible prototype and expansion projects
How to identify and engage other contractors strategically
Key compliance considerations

Whether you are a manufacturer, technology developer, workforce solutions provider, automation integrator, cybersecurity firm, or an innovative company seeking to contribute to strengthening the U.S. industrial base, this session will show you where the entry points are and how to pursue them intelligently.
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Questions contact: Veronica Doga, nebraskaAPEX@unomaha.edu
Registration Link: https://www.sba.gov/event/83595

Watertown Business Fraud Seminar
2026-06-11 09:45 - 10:00
In partnership with the Watertown Chamber of Commerce and Watertown Police Department, we are excited to offer a FREE seminar on Thursday, June 11th at the Library (donuts provided!).

With the continual rise in payment fraud on business accounts, it’s more valuable than ever to keep businesses informed. Detectives Sig Sivertson, Jeremy Bjerke, and I will share insights on regional fraud trends affecting businesses and nonprofits, the risks and liabilities tied to a business account, and practical takeaways to protect assets, reputation and bottom line. It is sure to be eye-opening and worthwhile.

We hope you’ll join us and take the opportunity to network with others in the community, too! To confirm your attendance for June 11th, please RSVP using the below link, QR on the attached flyer, or simply reply back my way. Thanks and hope to talk soon!

Save your seat: Watertown Business Fraud Seminar
