SmartStart, a program sponsored by the ISU Small Business Development Center, will start its bimonthly workshops Tuesday, Sept. 28.

The title of the workshops is “Helping your business idea grow into maturity.”

SmartStart’s two-hour workshops are for anyone, regardless of education level or progression of their idea, who is interested in starting a business. Participants will learn how to build their business from the ground up by learning how to create a business plan, conduct market research and evaluate the demand for their business.

The workshops are free to students and cost $25 for everyone else to register.

Other topics SmartStart will cover throughout the program include registering businesses; paying taxes; learning how bankers evaluate business concepts and loans; and applying for patents, trademarks and copyrights.

Participants will receive outlines to start their business plans, startup forms and a list of useful resources and contacts. After attending SmartStart, members of the Small Business Development Center will be available to assist participants and offer guidance.

The ISU SBDC offers free or low-cost counseling and training to entrepreneurs throughout Iowa, focusing on technology-based companies. In Iowa, 97.5 percent of locally owned businesses are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

SmartStart is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the ISU Research Park in the Building 4 Conference Room.