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 one-on-one coaching in areas such as strategy, branding, access to capital, marketing, finance, procurement, and operations. Additionally, programs like nextONE—a nine-month business leadership accelerator—are tailored to help Black-owned businesses scale effectively. Learn more
DishRoulette Kitchen’s Growth Program
DishRoulette Kitchen provides free programs designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are, offering capital access, technical assistance, and systems navigation at no cost. Their Growth Program includes workshops, one-on-one consultations, and community building to support business planning, financial modeling, licensing, and operational systems. 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, and annual revenues of $100,000 or more. The program aims to provide adequate funding and support to help these 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 for BIPOC entrepreneurs in Chicago’s R3 Zones. The program covers nine training topics, including design thinking and business modeling, to help participants launch their businesses and transform their communities. Learn more
Polsky Center’s Small Business Development Center
The Illinois Small Business Development Center 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, specifically supporting professional services and technology entrepreneurs on Chicago’s South Side. Explore further
These programs and resources exemplify Chicago’s commitment to nurturing its entrepreneurial ecosystem, providing essential support to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs across the city.