Chicago Entrepreneur Programs
Chicago business owners understand that running a real business requires cultivating an attitude to be grateful towards clients, as well as having access to the appropriate resources for fuel.
Within their responsibilities, they usually address pressing social issues.
The Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame
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Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame recognizes innovators in business that have created an impact on their respective communities. Since 1985, over 500 prominent entrepreneurs have been awarded this award; students as well as business executives and politicians alike have used the honor to honor entrepreneurialism. Leonard Lavin, founder of Alberto-Culver Company; John W Baird chairman emeritus at Baird Warner; Gian M. Fulgoni (CEO at comScore) and Gordon Segal, the creator of Crate Barrel are notable honorees.
Mark Tebbe has been actively participating in entrepreneurial education over the last three decades. 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 is a woman in business, and is a fervent supporter of women's leadership, diversity and tech. She's spoken at conferences including Web Summit and Inbound.
The Chicago Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship Innovation
Chicago Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship Innovation offers entrepreneurs of color the opportunity to start, expand and sustain their businesses. Bids and certificates of diversity for suppliers to bid on private or public contracts are available through mentoring for business and networking opportunities along with financial aid in addition to access financing. Webinars on entrepreneurship for free along with startup mentors, are also provided.
The Urban League currently provides services to over 6,300 job seekers and business owners in Chatham. Patrons are able to support the Urban League's development through planned contributions. This ensures that its work continues for future generations.
This event allows entrepreneurs in the process to receive guidance from business professionals, CEOs and others. Training sessions on technology, procurement, and capital access will take place all day long. These workshops are open to all who wish to make it a career as an entrepreneur.
Each IMPACT Fellow is paired with an African leader from the community they live in, creating a knowledge exchange between generations. Entrepreneurs who attend nine monthly training sessions must complete homework during the sessions to be part of the presentation of their growth plans following their IMPACT fellowship experience. Additionally, shared workspaces are available at 1871 or other incubators for startups IMPACT Fellows to use throughout this fellowship program.
Sunshine Enterprises
Sunshine Enterprises aims to help entrepreneurs with high potential in areas that have limited resources grow their business, as well as change their neighborhoods. The way to achieve this is through the 12-week Community Business Academy, and their ongoing Business Acceleration Services support, such as microgrants, workshops and the coaching.
Sunshine offers entrepreneurs financial assistance, which is typically the largest obstacle in starting or expanding their 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 strategy. In addition, Sunshine works with a group of financial partners, including Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, Byline Bank, CIBC Bank and Wintrust Community Bank among many others.
Rising Tide Capital's business model acts as the basis for this non-profit's operation; President Obama has recognized the organization for its impact on people's lives and revitalizing areas by establishing the organization's Community Business Academy, with 94% of the graduates being able to start new jobs and businesses when they graduate from this course.
Sunshine Enterprises provides local entrepreneurs with support via UChicago Local. The collaboration with UChicago Medicine and the University allows for realigning the procurement department in order to use the local suppliers that can provide competition-based bids. This helps grow the small-scale businesses that are located that are located in Chicago as well as contributing to the social initiatives of the university. UChicago Local also links local entrepreneurs who are served by Sunshine Enterprises with other programming such as Chicago Innovation Exchange or Institute for Justice Clinic for Entrepreneurship located at Law School which further expands opportunities.
Incubatoredu
INCubatoredu gives students an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship through the creation of their own company. Students are assisted by a mentor or coach during each class to help them with their projects, such as washable foot inserts and social apps.
While student teams go through the curriculum as they progress through the program, they are taught how to refine and strengthen the ideas of their startups through customer and idea exploration as well as market research, prototype building, and pitching. This helps to develop collaboration, communication, problem-solving capabilities, as well as teaching students to adapt quickly to changes.
Each year, each team participates at the INCubatoredu National Pitch to compete for seed funding for their new ventures. It is referred to as a shark-tank-style competition, which provides great occasions for teams to meet with investors.
Students and teachers alike are able to form long lasting bonds with INCubatoredu which will affect their professional careers, college and the wider community outside of their classrooms. Listen to INCubatoredu students and alumni talk about its transformative results - both expected and unexpected!