Participate in our program

Start or grow your business with in the CRECER Business Incubator Program! The CRECER Business Incubator Program is a year-long program that that combines cohort-based training, individualize advising, technical assistance and small business incubation through real time vending. The incubator program's main purpose is to catalyze the process of starting and growing retail businesses by providing entrepreneurs with the expertise, networks, and the tools they need to make their businesses successful. 

What the Program Offers

• Small Business Essentials Training 

• One on One Advising

• Business Pitch Competition 

• Storefront Incubation 

• Year Round Trainings

Businesses are welcome to just take advantage of the training and advising or to also participate in the store front incubator space. 

Requirement to be in Store Front Incubator:​

• Take Part in Small Business Pitch Competition 

• Formalize business to be able to operate in the State of IL and City of Chicago

• Must have General Liability Insurance. 

Winners of the Pitch Competition will be given the opportunity to sell from the incubator store front.   

Storefront Incubator Benefits: 

• 3 months rent free, 9 months subsidized thereafter

• One-on-one technical assistance and training

• Marketing and promotion of business

• QuickBooks license 

• Technology to support business activities 

• Assistance finding a permanent space post-incubator

 

Timeline 

• 4/22/2022: Application Opens

• 7/27/2022: Application Closes

• 6/07/2022: Business Essentials Training Starts​​

• 6/28/2022: Training Ends

• 8/04/2022: Business Pitch

• 8/05/2022: Store front winners informed

• 8/08/2022: Store front winners announced

• 9/17/2022: Grand Opening

• 7/1/2023: Program Ends 

(Timeline may be subject to change)

Want to be part of the program? Complete our application. 

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