Our Certified Business Advisors are available to you!

Schedule an appointment with our certified business advisors at no cost. Our sessions are confidential and individualized to provide you with the specific resources you need!

How to build AI Agents 

Thursday, September 17, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | No cost | In-Person

Join us for an interactive, workshop-style session with Gin J., Executive Principal Strategist & AI Digital Transformation Architect of CulturaMinds, LLC, where we will explore best practices for building AI agents using Microsoft Copilot.

Angelo State University

AI & Cyber Summit 

The Angelo State University Kay Bailey Hutchison Institute and the Small Business Development Center invite you to the 2026 AI & Cyber Summit, a one-day conference designed for business owners, professionals, educators, and community leaders seeking to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The year’s summit will focus on the theme “Trust in the Age of AI: Building Resilient Systems” and provide insights into artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

📌Agenda Highlights:

• The Policy Deficit: Charting a Path for AI in Texas Schools
• Lone Star Leadership: Securing the Nation’s Digital Frontier
• Data as Currency - Ransomware in the Age of AI
• Campus to Community: Student-Led Solutions for Real-World Challenges
• Foundations of AI Use: AI-Assisted Life Hacks to Increase Everyday Productivity
• Focus on AI–Assisted Efficiency in the Workplace: Moving Beyond Basics

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Location: C.J. Davidson Conference Center

Learn more about the event at angelo.edu/ai-cyber-summit

Texas Conference for Employers

GRACE Conference

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – Reentering the workforce presents significant challenges for formerly incarcerated individuals. At the same time, Texas employers face persistent labor shortages due to the state’s tremendous economic growth. 

Hosted by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the Growth through Reentry to Advance Careers & Employment (GRACE) Conference is your opportunity to learn how second-chance hiring can strengthen your workforce while providing a fresh start for formerly incarcerated individuals. 

Discover how integrating second-chance individuals into your talent pipeline can drive business success. 

Event Topics Include: 

• Corporate Success Stories: Hear firsthand experiences from a large corporation utilizing second-chance hiring. 
• Education & Training Behind the Walls: Learn about targeted workforce training programs equipping individuals for immediate employment upon release. 
• The HR Perspective: Get expert guidance on how to fairly and legally evaluate applicants’ criminal history information. 
• State Resources & Incentives: Access official state resources and financial incentives available to support second-chance employers. 
• Live Testimonials: Hear powerful stories of how these employment opportunities change lives. 
• Proven Impact from a Business Perspective: A diverse panel of employers share real-world strategies and the measurable advantages of successfully making second chance hiring work. 

We invite you to attend this informative event. Registration includes lunch.  

Please feel free to share the registration link below. 

Location: Austin Southpark Hotel, 4140 Governors Row, Austin, Texas 78744 

Date:  October 20, 2026 

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Registration Fee: $80 

Registration Link: GRACE Conference 2026 

Small Business Success

The Specialist Heating & Cooling

Economic Impact: Business Retention & Expansion | Saved Business | SBA Disaster Assistance | Capital Investment | 2 Jobs Retained | Increase in Sales

On July 4, 2025, San Angelo and surrounding communities across Texas experienced severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall. The widespread flooding resulted in significant damage to homes and businesses throughout the region. Among those impacted was Josse Cornejo, owner of The Specialist Heating & Cooling, a small business serving the San Angelo area.

As a result of the flooding, Josse sustained damage and lost essential business equipment needed to conduct his services. After being turned away by multiple avenues of support, Josse sought assistance from the Angelo State University SBDC for guidance and direction during the recovery process.

Josse met with Advisor Dave Erickson, who assisted in identifying available disaster recovery options and helped the client prepare and organize the documentation required by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to apply for disaster assistance. Advisor Erickson worked closely with the SBA Business Recovery Center and Josse to ensure all required information was completed accurately and submitted in accordance with SBA requirements.

With support from the ASU SBDC & SBA Business Recovery Center, The Specialist Heating & Cooling received the necessary funding to recuperate business losses caused by the flooding. This funding allowed Josse to recover critical equipment and continue operating his business during a challenging period. Through this assistance, The Specialist Heating & Cooling was able to move forward and continue serving the San Angelo community.

Read More SBDC Success Stories

Business Financing Options: Debt, Equity, and More

Finding a suitable funding model can be vitally important for small businesses. They may lose part of their companies or find themselves locked into repayment terms that impair their growth for many years into the future if they take money from the wrong source.

14 Factors To Research Before Entering A New Business Market

If you're excited about the business potential, but wondering if you'll be making the right decision for your company, below Forbes Business Development Council members provide 14 points that a business developer should not overlook when conducting research and before moving forward.

Business Plan: How Important is it in Selling Your Business

Different business owners have different goals. Some want to create a family-owned business, while others want to increase the business value and exit. Both require extensive planning.

Read more business tips

ASU SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER

www.sbdc.angelo.edu | 325-942-2098

69 N Chadbourne St. | San Angelo, TX 76903 | 325.942.2098

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ASU SBDC—A partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration: Funded in part through the State of Texas and a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBDC services are provided to all U.S. citizens, legal residents, and foreign nationals that intend to invest in the United States, in accordance with Federal funding requirements. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities or limited English proficiency will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.

Contact ASU SBDC, 325-942-2098 or sbdctraining@angelo.edu.