Defy’s mission is to shift mindsets to give people with criminal histories their best shot at a second chance. Our vision is to cut the recidivism rate in half by leveraging entrepreneurship to increase economic opportunity and transform lives.

The Entrepreneurial Support Program at UIC helps Chicagoland entrepreneurs, both on and off UIC campus to succeed in business!

The Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corporation (GAGDC) works to foster and promote revitalization of the communities that we serve using asset-based comprehensive community development strategies.

GSDC works to create, attract, retain, and expand commercial and manufacturing businesses on Chicago’s Southwest Side. We assist businesses with finding capital, business and marketing plans, government contracts, certifications and licensing.

The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is a community of entrepreneurs working together and supporting each other to create a stronger neighborhood and business environment, through advocacy, promotion, networking, and education.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago works to build community wealth and catalyze opportunities in communities across Chicago by investing in people and places through housing, businesses, jobs, schools, safety, and more.

We help small businesses (at any stage of business) thrive through our programs: Albany Park Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Business Center, Neighborhood Business Development Center, and the Albany Park & Irving Park Special Service Area (SSA #60).

We are the local business association serving businesses on the northwest side of Chicago in the Mayfair, West Walker, Old Irving Park and Albany Park Communities.

QCDC promotes the creation of a vibrant, sustainable, and healthy mixed-income community, QCDC drives the development of commercial projects, supports and attracts small businesses, and creates an environment supportive of private investment.

Rogers Park Business Alliance (RPBA) works in the areas of business, community and economic development. We employ a professional staff and are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of local business owners, residents and stakeholders.

The SBDC at CMAA is part of a nationwide network of centers that promote entrepreneurship and small business growth through no-cost, confidential consulting for new and established businesses and entrepreneurs.

Six Corners Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit economic development organization located on Chicago's northwest side.

Sunshine Enterprises is a NFP organization that focuses on equipping entrepreneurs with the tools and resources to start and grow their business.

The Hatchery, part of the Industrial Council for Nearwest Chicago, is a nonprofit food and beverage incubator in East Garfield Park. We provide the tools, resources, guidance, and commercial kitchen space to launch in the culinary industry.

The Uptown Chamber of Commerce exists to promote the business community in Uptown. Its members are supported with programs focused on marketing, strategic partnerships, City permitting, district events, advocacy, and economic development.

WBDC's Little Village location, in the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, specializes in assisting Spanish-language entrepreneurs through all phases of business development: start-up, licensing, funding, growth plans, and more.

The WBDC ignites business growth, providing education to current and aspiring entrepreneurs throughout Chicagoland. We provide technical assistance around business plans, accessing capital, government contracts, certification and more.

The Women's Entrepreneurship Hub intends to be a community and connective tissue between organizations that provide business resources and women, particularly women who are Black, Latinx and in low-wage roles.

The Woodlawn Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to promoting business development in order to improve the quality of life of Woodlawn residents.