Small businesses are often interested in contracts with large buyers like universities and corporations, but may not understand the challenges in the procurement process or how to manage opportunities and risks. Chicago Anchors for a Strong Economy (CASE) educates small businesses on the procurement process of large institutions in the Chicago area.

Thursday, July 13th Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave. Register here! Bring your own lunch.

In collaboration with Groupon, ICNC celebrates its 50th year by promoting Chicago small businesses and hosting the Make City Small Business Pitch Event.  Have an idea to start or e xpand your business? Finalists will pitch it to us on October 5th and have a chance to win...  Open to all Chicago consumer goods small businesses! Apply here!  The deadline to apply is June 30th. Not applying, but want to attend? Register here!

From May 30th to May 31st, thanks to our 27 donors, ICNC raised $1,425 through our #ILGiveCommunity campaign! We are glad to see the support for the work that we, and all in our community of small businesses, are doing. Together, we are supporting Chicago's entrepreneurs! 

1-800-Junk-Relief  - 1-800-Junk-Relief is a service-oriented, commercial and residential junk removal service. They focus on recycling or donating as much of the material they haul away as they can, and properly dispose of anything that they can't. They provide free, no-obligation estimates for removal.

Dark Times - Dark Times is a production, branding, and design agency that creates unique, brand specific experiences for clients in a diverse set of industries. They have created a bar and roving art-driven installation called The Light Times Club. The duo's experiences as members of the art industry sets them apart from their competition. 

The City of Chicago's minimum wage will increase to $11 an hour starting July 1st. The raise is part of the city's planned phase-in process from 2015 to 2019. The new Paid Sick Leave Ordinance is effective July 1, 2017. Employees who work at least 2 hours per week while physically present within the geographic boundaries of the City, and who work at least 80 hours within any 120-day period, will accrue 1 hour of Paid Sick Leave for every 40 hours worked. See more details here. 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Webinars: The U.S. Small Business Administration hosts webinars nearly every day on a wide variety of topics related to small business. See the calendar here .

Receive money back for hiring full-time Chicago residents! ICNC has received funds through TIFWorks 50/50, an employee training reimbursement program issued by the City of Chicago. Applications are currently being accepted. Applicants must be located within the Kinzie Industrial TIF District boundaries. All training must be pre-approved by the City. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at [email protected].

Enjoy a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services.

  

Click here to view the available spaces.    

Every month ICNC hosts a breakfast with 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. to discuss issues with crime, infrastructure, zoning, and other topics. For more information, please contact Hannah Jones at [email protected].