The windy city has a plethora of resources for small business women ranging from city provided options such as the 4th floor of the public library to loan programs, workshops, and more.
Women’s Business Development Center
The WBDC offers programs and services to help potential businesses, in the exploring or beginning start-up phase of their company, achieve optimal size and sustain growth. Established business owners are those who’ve been in business more than one year and completed a business plan. Learn more about Women’s Business Development Center.
Chicagoland Business Opportunity Fund
The purpose of this program is to assist start-ups and entrepreneurs in building business net worth. Secured loans will be made to businesses located in the Metro Chicago area for working capital, business purchase, equipment, inventory, tenant improvements, and owner occupied commercial real estate.
The Institute For Justice
The IJ Clinic teams up lower-income entrepreneurs with some of the nation’s brightest law students to provide entry-level businesses with help. Securing and expanding economic liberty in inner-city Chicago, the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship provides legal representation to entrepreneurs, they educate and inspire law students through real-world experience, and advocate for greater appreciation of entrepreneurship. Learn more about The Institute For Justice Clinic.
JVS Chicago
Serves more than 8,000 employees, employers, and entrepreneurs annually with programs for adults, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Servicing entry-level to advanced career job seekers at locations across the Metropolitan Chicago area. Services include career counseling, job skills training, customized job training, job placement, credit building, small business development, access to capital, and more. Learn more about JVS Chicago.
The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center
The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) serves as a strategic partner to its clients; offering high value advisory services and connections to entrepreneurs that can help negotiate crucial early business decisions. CEC also offers the Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) program developed by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IDCEO). They select experienced entrepreneurs and provide them with the opportunity to focus on creating new, high-impact companies in Illinois. Those selected then partner up with young entrepreneurs to develop new business ideas, or commercialize promising technologies from academic and industrial researchers. Learn more about The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.
Chicago City Treasurer
Gives an opportunity for Chicago Small Business owners to advance the growth of their business by learning new skills and acquiring new tools. Attendees will get tips and ideas from some of Chicago’s top business people, and have a chance to investigate possible new business services at the Expo exhibit hall. Learn more about Chicago City Treasurer.
Are you familiar with these resources provided above? How can you utilize them to grow your business?
