(Madison, WI) – The Office of Business and Entrepreneurship (OBE) at the Universities of Wisconsin has been selected by the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy to receive the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award for 2025 in the category “Legacy”.  The OBE team received the award during a ceremony with Governor Tony Evers and his Council on Financial Literacy on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the State Capitol’s Assembly Chambers. April is National Financial Literacy Month.  

The Legacy Award is given to an organization, business, or individual whose purpose and heritage is ingrained in sustained financial literacy and capability. 

“We’re honored to receive this award at a moment when demand for financial education is rising across the state,” said Bon Wikenheiser, executive director, OBE.  “For over four decades, our programs helped small businesses meet their unique needs; including accessing capital and planning for growth.

“This recognition truly belongs to the thousands of small-business owners we’ve served,” added Wikenheiser. “Their resilience is what drives our work. Financial literacy is just one part of what we offer, but it remains one of the most powerful ways we can help Wisconsinites start, strengthen, and sustain their businesses. We’re honored by this award and we’re grateful to play a role in building Wisconsin’s economic resilience.”

OBE works in collaboration with key partners to develop and deliver services focused on financial literacy needs that are designed to meet statewide and regional economic development goals that are available statewide. OBE provides educational programs and no-cost, confidential consulting services for Wisconsin-based small business owners and entrepreneurs through four (4) specialized units:

SBDC – Small Business Development Centers – Annually approximately 5,700 entrepreneurs receive financial literacy one-on-one, confidential consulting, and training sessions.

CTC – Center for Technology Commercialization – About 500 high-tech entrepreneurs and researchers receive technical merit coaching, commercialization advising, access to seed funding, and relevant workshop training every year.

FFI – Food Finance Institute – Roughly 1,000 food and agriculture-based entrepreneurs accessed finance-forward training and cohort programs.

Strategic Projects – Approximately 1,140 entrepreneurs participated in our free Small Business Clinics, Small Business Finance Team, Capital Readiness Program, trainings, or seminars last year.

“Financial literacy is foundational to small business success,” reported Gina Ferarro, statewide director, Wisconsin’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC).  “Through the SBDC network, we see firsthand how long-standing commitment to education, access to capital, and programming strengthen businesses across the state. This Legacy Award is a well-deserved recognition of decades of impact and collaboration within the Office of Business & Entrepreneurship.”

“Strong financial capability is essential to turning innovation into impact,” added Margaret Ramey, director, Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC). “CTC helps entrepreneurs understand capital readiness, funding strategies, and financial risk so their technologies have a clear, sustainable path to market.”

“Our work is centered on preparing entrepreneurs to successfully access and deploy capital,” reported Colleen Merrill, director, Strategic Projects. “By combining hands-on support with practical financial education, we’re not only strengthening individual businesses, but we’re also contributing to a more resilient and inclusive economy across Wisconsin.”

OBE measures outcomes through client surveys, program evaluations, follow-up assessments, economic impact studies, and funding reports. Key results include:

  • Improved financial decision-making
  • Business formation and growth
  • Capital infusion
  • Sustainable food and agriculture enterprises
  • Commercialization success