Chicago Entrepreneur Programs
Chicago Entrepreneur Programs
Chicago business owners understand that running a real business requires cultivating an attitude to be grateful towards clients, in addition to having access to the appropriate resources for fuel.
They bring new thinking and fresh ideas to a range of industries that range from digital manufacturing to industrial parts distribution, and foam insulation – in addition to often taking into consideration pressing social issues in the course of their work.
The Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame
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Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame recognizes innovators in business who have made significant contributions to their local communities. Since 1985, more than 500 prominent entrepreneurs have been awarded this honor. Students, business leaders and government officials alike can use the honor to honor entrepreneurialism. The notable recipients include Leonard Lavin (founder of Alberto-Culver Company); John W Baird (chairman in emeritus at Baird & Warner); Gian M Fulgoni (CEO of comScore); and Gordon Segal (founder of Crate & Barrel).
Mark Tebbe has been actively participating in entrepreneurial education for over three years. He has served as judge and mentor in the University of Chicago Booth New Venture Competition; Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Entrepreneur-in-residence for College of Engineering UIC; as well as being recognized as an expert on emerging technology with contributions published nationwide.
Laurette has a background as an entrepreneur, and advocate for women in tech, leadership and diversity. She has been a speaker at conferences like Web Summit, Inbound, Collision and Forbes conferences; in addition, she co-hosted events for Technori the media business which helps founders and business owners in getting to know their businesses more deeply.
The Chicago Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The Chicago Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation provides entrepreneurs from underrepresented groups with the opportunity to begin, develop and sustain businesses. Through business mentoring sessions or networking events, they can gain access to financial services; suppliers can also obtain certifications for diversity in their supply chain. be obtained, as are proposals for public and private contracts. Webinars on entrepreneurship for free, as well as entrepreneurs’ mentors, are available.
The Urban League currently provides services to more than 6,300 job-seekers as well as business owners from Chatham. In the future, those who support it can help support this expansion with planned gifts to the Urban League; such donations ensure its work can continue in the future.
This program allows aspiring entrepreneurs to receive advice from business professionals, CEOs as well as other experts. The workshops on procurement, technology, and capital access are scheduled all day long. These sessions are completely free to anyone who wants to make it a career as an entrepreneur.
Every IMPACT Fellow is assigned an African leader from the community they live in, creating a knowledge exchange between generations. Entrepreneurs who attend nine monthly training sessions are required to complete their homework in between sessions in order to complete the growth plan presentation after the IMPACT fellowship. IMPACT Fellows can also use common workspaces at 1871 as well as other incubators throughout the course of the program.
Sunshine Enterprises
Sunshine Enterprises’ goal is to support entrepreneurs who have the potential in neighborhoods with low resources to develop their enterprises and change their community. The way to achieve this is through the 12-week Community Business Academy, and their ongoing Business Acceleration Services assistance, including workshops and microgrants, as well as coaching.
Sunshine provides entrepreneurs with financial assistance that could be a huge hurdle in the beginning or expansion of a new business. Sunshine’s Coaches for Business Coaches of Sunshine work with entrepreneurs one-on-one to determine the type of funding needed as well as to develop a plan. In addition, Sunshine works with a collection of finance partners that include Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, Byline Bank, CIBC Bank and Wintrust Community Bank among many others.
The model of Rising Tide Capital is the basis for the operation of this non-profit. President Obama recognized Rising Tide Capital for their Community Business Academy which has been instrumental in bringing life back to areas and improve lives. 94% graduates have gone on to start new businesses or create jobs.
Sunshine Enterprises provides local entrepreneurs with assistance through UChicago Local. The partnership between UChicago Medicine and the University will allow the university to restructure its procurement department to utilize greater local businesses that provide competitive bids. This helps grow the small-scale businesses that are located in Chicago while also contributing to the social-impact initiatives of the university. UChicago Local also links local entrepreneurs served by Sunshine Enterprises with other programming including Chicago Innovation Exchange or Institute for Justice Clinic focused on Entrepreneurship located at Law School and expands possibilities.
Incubatoredu
INCubatoredu offers students an experience that is authentically entrepreneurial as they create their own startup company. Students will be supported by a mentor and instructor in every class to assist them in their ideas, including removable foot pads that can be cleaned and social apps.
As student teams progress through the curriculum, they learn how to refine and strengthen the ideas of their startups through research on ideas and customers as well as market research, prototype building, and pitching. The process encourages the ability to communicate and solve problems and teaches students how quickly they can adjust to changing conditions.
Every year, teams participate in INCubatoredu National Pitch to compete to raise seed money for their startup companies. This event provides teams with valuable networking experiences for investors, as well as expert advice from business professionals and is a renowned event for the shark tank-style pitching sessions.
Students and teachers alike have the opportunity to create long lasting bonds with INCubatoredu that will impact their careers, colleges and the wider community outside of their classrooms. Listen to INCubatoredu students and alumni talk about its transformative results – both expected and unanticipated!