 Chicago Pitch Project Winners Announced Earlier this year, ICNC launched its first ever competition where entrepreneurs were able to pitch their business idea and compete for cash and prizes. After nearly 100 applicants, it was narrowed down to the top 5; Boardlox, FitnessCubed, Peter Field, Seraphim Leather, and Well Made On Tuesday, December 2, 2014, the finalists pitched their business idea in front of a live panel of judges and 3 winners were selected. Prizes include 1 year of incubator space at ICNC, cash, interns, legal services and more. Congratulations to all of our finalists and winners! 1st Place: Well Made 2nd Place: Peter Field 3rd Place: FitnessCubed Thanks to our sponsors; The Private Bank, Half Acre Beer, Saper Law Offices, Culture Studio, After School Matters, and Gaudi Cafe. |
|
Last Chance! Money Back for Food Sanitation Courses and Other Training
 Looking to certify your employees for HACCP or ServSafe training? Receive up to 50% cost reimbursement for these courses using the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP)! All trainings must be completed by 12/31/14. Trainings going back as early as July 1, 2013 could qualify. Whether your industry is manufacturing, warehousing, construction, or food production, other trainings could qualify for this grant. These grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis to all eligible participants, at no cost. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at (312) 421-3941 or [email protected].
|
|
Free QuickBooks, Website Design & Other Classes
 ICNC's no-cost computer training has returned. Get trained in Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks, PhotoShop, Word Press Website Design, Digital Media and more! To view the training schedule and register, please click here. For more information, contact Priscilla Torrence at (312) 421-3941 or [email protected]. |
|
Free Small Business Lending Workshop
Lend Square and Garfield Park Community Council present a free business community workshop on small business lending. Learn creative approaches to raising capital and empowering your business. More event info here.
Tuesday, December 16th
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N. Central Park Ave.
|
Looking for Capable Employees?
Thanks to Searle Funds from the Chicago CommunityTrust, ICNC's Business Employment Services (BES) program has expanded. We link local business owners with a capable and available labor pool in and around Chicago's Near West Side. Services include posting job ads, screening candidates, and running background checks.
For more information, contact Nancy Kramer at (312) 421-3941 or [email protected].
|
|
EMT Training for Women (tuition-free)
 | |
ICNC's EMT Training Program
|
ICNC is pleased to announce recruitment has opened for our 2015 Emergency Medical Technician training course. This seven-month program will begin in March 2015, with applications open to female, head of household, working women currently earning $10-$40K (or recently unemployed), with clean driving and criminal histories.
To register, click here.
Watch these video clips:
View Program Feature Video (Interchange Productions LLC)
For more information, contact Priscilla Torrence at (312) 421-3941 or [email protected].
|
|
Member Announcements and Discounts
Fulton-Carroll Center tenant Chicago Renewable Energy Solutions is seeking used vegetable and other cooking oils to be recycled into sustainable fuel. A portion of the filtered product's sales go to support local charities like the Logan Square Boys and Girls Club. If your food company is trapping and disposing of oil by-products, do some good with it and email [email protected] or call (312) 898-6691.
|
ICNC Member Aeroflash Signal has 4,000 square feet of production space available for lease. Dock and overhead door accessible. Call (312) 733-3513. |
| Sassafras Enterprises at 1622 W. Carroll is opening its warehouse doors to ICNC members until December 23rd. Baking items, housewares, toys, and gifts are available any time M-F from 9am to 5pm. Cash only please. Call 312-226-2000 for more info, or click to see a Housewares Catalog or Toy and Gift Catalog. |
|
Please Renew Your ICNC Membership
It's the end of the year, and if it's been one year or more since your last ICNC Membership dues payment, it's time to renew! Your Membership dues are a key part of ICNC's operating budget, supporting job-creating economic development activities year-round and helping to keep the Kinzie Industrial Corridor a great place to do business. If you have not yet joined as a member, now is the time! ICNC Member dues are based on the size of your company's workforce.
Please use this link or the button below to renew online by credit card. You may also pay dues by check. Please contact [email protected] for an invoice or questions about your membership status.
Thank you for renewing - we look forward to serving you in 2015!
|
|
Available Incubator Space
|
|
Fulton-Carroll Center Space Available Now
 Enjoy competitive rent, a thriving entrepreneurial environment, and immediate access to ICNC's development services as a tenant of the Fulton-Carroll Center business incubator.
|
|
