Chicago’s entrepreneurial landscape is vibrant and diverse, offering a wealth of resources to support small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. Various organizations across the city provide programs designed to foster growth, innovation, and sustainability in the local business community.
Chicago Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Chicago Urban League’s Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation focuses on assisting Black entrepreneurs in launching, growing, and sustaining their businesses. The center offers tools to maximize revenues, reduce costs, and drive job creation. Programs include one-on-one coaching in areas such as strategy, branding, access to capital, marketing, finance, procurement, and operations. Additionally, the center helps businesses obtain supplier diversity certifications and respond to bids on public and private contracts. Learn more
DishRoulette Kitchen’s Growth Program
DishRoulette Kitchen offers the DRK Growth Program, designed to address challenges faced by entrepreneurs, particularly those from underrepresented communities. The program provides a tailored mix of workshops, one-on-one consultations, and community building. Participants gain access to business planning support, financial modeling, licensing and permitting navigation, operational systems support, and direct connections to city programs, lenders, and institutional partners. Discover more
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s Breedlove Accelerator
The Breedlove Accelerator supports later-stage women entrepreneurs who are majority owners of their businesses, have at least two years of experience running their business, and have annual revenues of $100,000 or more. The program aims to provide adequate funding and support to help entrepreneurs have a catalytic impact on their communities. Find out more
Urban Array’s Running Start Entrepreneurship Training
Urban Array offers the Running Start Entrepreneurship Training, a free bootcamp built for BIPOC entrepreneurs in Chicago’s R3 Zones. The program covers nine training topics, including design thinking and business model development, with no prior experience required. Graduates join a network of founders with access to funding, mentorship, and community resources. Learn more
Polsky Center’s Small Business Development Center
The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange offers no-cost, one-on-one confidential business advice to pre-venture entrepreneurs and existing business owners. Services include assistance with growth plans, marketing strategy, financial reviews, and more. The SBDC focuses on serving people in various neighborhoods across Chicago’s South Side. Explore further
Center for Changing Lives’ Small Business Coaching
The Center for Changing Lives provides small business coaching to entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout Chicago, with a focus near their main office in Logan Square/Humboldt Park and near their South Chicago co-location office. They offer support and coaching to connect individuals to the resources needed, whether launching an entrepreneurial dream or as a long-standing business owner. Get more information
These programs and resources exemplify Chicago’s commitment to fostering a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. By leveraging these opportunities, local entrepreneurs can access the support and guidance necessary to navigate the challenges of business ownership and contribute to the city’s economic vitality.