Wyoming Business Tips for February

An occasional look at issues facing Wyoming business owners and entrepreneurs from the Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, a collection of business assistance programs at the University of Wyoming.

By Sara Mikesell Growney, procurement adviser, Wyoming APEX Acceleraor

While it is the month of love, we are not helping you find your long-term partner when we talk about matchmaking. “Government matchmaking” means meeting one-on-one with government agencies or prime contractors to hear their forecasts; what they expect to buy; challenges in filling their needs; and how they buy.

Remember, the government doesn’t buy things; people do. As a business owner, you have a chance to network with these people; share information about your business; create a personal connection; sell your business; and to create a potential relationship.

To maximize your opportunity during these events, here are a few tips for businesses to prepare effectively for your matchmaking event:

-- Do your homework. Before attending a matchmaking event, research participating agencies and prime contractors to understand their needs, current contracts and procurement trends. Put your detective hat on. Which agency or agencies might be interested in what you have to sell? What have they purchased in the past?

-- Bring a capability statement and present yourself professionally. Engage with APEX Accelerator to create a capability statement that highlights your business’s experience, qualifications and unique value proposition. Bring copies to share. If emailing, save your capability statement as a PDF with your business’s name, so a contracting officer can find it quickly. Additionally, bring business cards and/or brochures to in-person events. 

-- Craft your elevator pitch. Time is short during matchmaking sessions. Prepare a concise, yet compelling and memorable elevator pitch with your name and business; what problem you solve or solution you offer; what value you add; and engage your audience by asking questions and being genuine.

-- Leverage online matchmaking platforms. When attending an online matchmaking event, such as the one offered this month, connect with other businesses or agencies over the chat. Share your contact information and download contact information so you can follow up with future partners.

-- Follow up. Follow up with contacts with a brief “thank you”; additional information they may have requested; re-attach your capability statement; and perhaps ask a question.

Wyoming APEX Accelerator will host two upcoming matchmaking sessions, one online and one in person. For more information, go to the online 2025 Midwest Matchmaker and a Government Contracting Matchmaking workshop in Casper.

Wyoming APEX Accelerator, part of the Wyoming SBDC Network housed at the University of Wyoming, is the state’s expert in government contracting assistance.

The Wyoming SBDC Network offers no-cost advising and technical assistance to help Wyoming entrepreneurs think about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. In 2024, the Wyoming SBDC Network helped Wyoming entrepreneurs start 46 new businesses; support 1,870 jobs; and bring a capital impact of $2.9 million to the state. The Wyoming SBDC Network is hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

To ask a question, call 1-800-348-5194, email wsbdc@uwyo.edu, or write Dept. 3922, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071-3922.