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| Thanks For a Great 2015! |
Over 400 people from Chicago's business community attended ICNC's Annual Holiday Party on December 10th. The event was held at the brilliantly festive Garfield Park Conservatory and featured delicious food from a number of generous caterers as well as Goose Island Beer Company. ICNC would like to thank all those who attended, and those businesses who made donations:
Event sponsor American Chartered Bank's Ken Stemke's message to attendees: "On behalf of American Chartered Bank I would like to thank everyone for making this year's ICNC Holiday Event a record setter! We have sponsored this event for many years but this year was truly the best. We continue to support businesses in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor and look forward to talking with anyone about how we may be of further assistance. I wish each of you all the best for a Happy New Year!" |
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Lunch and Learn: Taking the Mystery
Out of Business Insurance
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The world of business insurance involves many aspects of risk. Learn how to identify insurance risks in the business world and dodge potential "bullets" by protecting your business. Afterwards, the presenter will be available for one-on-one consultations if you have questions or want to bring your existing policy for review. Appointments are limited and are available on a first-come first-served basis. There will also be a $25 Amazon gift card drawing.
Our speaker, Anna Maria-Viti-Welch of Guy Viti Insurance has over 25 years of experience with sales, business development and management in the business insurance industry.
Thursday, January 14
Time: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (seminar) 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM (one-on-one consultation) Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave.
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| Webinar: Critical IT Security Protections |  Learn some of the critical policies and protections you should have in place to protect your company against hackers and cyber criminals. IT firm and ICNC member MXOtech will reveal the #1 security threat to your business that anti-virus, firewalls and other security protocols cannot protect against. This is of particular importance for those companies that handle any sensitive data such as credit card and financial information, or who simply want to avoid having their bank account wiped out due to a cyber-attack.
Wednesday, January 20
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Online
Register here. |
| Small Business Improvement Fund |
The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) has returned to the Kinzie Industrial Corridor! This popular grant program uses TIF funds to match up to $150,000 in permanent improvements to your industrial or commercial building. All companies must be located in the Kinzie Industrial TIF to qualify. The rollout event will be held at ICNC. The 30-day application window will open after the rollout event. To register, click here. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at [email protected]. Thursday, February 11
Time: 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave.
Register here.
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Workshop: Chicago Foodpreneurs
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Join some of Chicago's early-stage food entrepreneurs and startups as they share their journeys, entrepreneurial struggles - including the business definition process, fundraising, and brand building - and what it really takes to launch and run a successful food and beverage business in Chicago. The panel discussion will be followed by drinks and networking.
Thursday, February 11
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
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Workshop: Start A Food Business
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Thinking about starting a food business in 2016? The Hatchery, a collaboration between ICNC and Accion Chicago to bring education, capital, and support to the Chicagoland food entrepreneur community, is offering an introductory course to help you launch a successful food and beverage company. Learn all about the food entrepreneurship space as well as required licensing, certification, financing, and branding. Each attendee will receive a business basics checklist to get started on the right track.
Tuesday, February 16 Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave. Cost: $25 Register here.
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Workshop: Healthy Marketing - Launching
and Leads for Food Businesses
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Just in time for Heart Health Awareness Month, The Hatchery is running a specialized marketing workshop to help you target health-oriented consumers by positioning your company as a lifestyle brand.
Join Sarah Baker, Founder of BalancedBabe.com and the BeHealthful Retreat series, as she provides specialty insight on how to attract one of the fastest growing consumer audiences around the world.
Date: Thursday, February 25
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave.
Cost: $40 non-members, $20 members and incubator companies Register here.
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The annual membership meeting is ICNC's premier issues-oriented gathering and your chance to shape the organization's advocacy priorities. We want your input and participation on matters like development, regulation, transportation, and infrastructure. Enjoy networking with members and incubator companies. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at [email protected]. Thursday, March 3
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: ICNC - 320 N. Damen Ave.
RSVP here.
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Member Spotlight: Genieco
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Genieco manufactures bamboo incense, various air fresheners, fragrance oils, and accessories. Founded in 1923 by a Lithuanian immigrant named Laurent  Radzukinas, it was known as The Hindu Incense Company. He only paid $500 for the company. He dedicated himself to manufacturing quality charcoal incense cones and incense burners. When the second generation of the family took over, Genieco was born. Products are sold under brand name GONESH�, named after the Hindu Elephant Boy, the God of Luck.
Genieco has recently gotten their products into Rite Aid, Family Dollar, and Walmart. One of their biggest challenges has been taking a niche market and making it accessible. To solve this, they went to the big chain stores with Halloween incense, moved on to Thanksgiving and Christmas products, and they have been growing ever since. They are now in over 40,000 stores in the US and in 14 countries. Click here to read more about their story.
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| Featured Incubator Space |
A rare incubator space with a private bathroom and kitchen has recently become available. This 1,190 square feet space provides additional convenience for employees and clients. To inquire about this space or to view other available spaces, click here. |
Professional Development Opportunities
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10,000 Small Businesses: Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is a no-cost program that provides business owners with practical business education, a supportive network of advisors and peers, and access to capital. Through the program, owners will receive the tools and support to develop a customized plan to grow their business. The application deadline for the next open session scheduled to begin in May, is March 2, 2016. Please visit the college website for specific course dates.To learn more email [email protected] or call 312-553-5912.
Business Workshops: The Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) offers workshops every Wednesday and Friday. Workshops vary each month and are conducted by City Officials, experts, and partner business organizations. All workshops are free and open to the public. To view the business workshop calendar, click here.
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Member Announcement
| Das Foods - An ICNC incubator gourmet food business is for sale. It is an excellent starter business or an expansion of your existing food business. After nine great years in business, the owner is moving out of state. Financial statements are available upon request. Please contact the owner (Katie) at 224-715-9289 or [email protected].
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New Online Member Directory!
| ICNC has revamped its online member directory! You can search an extensive list of member companies on ICNC's website to find products and services to fit your company's needs. Directory profiles feature business descriptions, product photos, and member-to-member deals. If you are a member who would like to set up your directory profile to market your business, please refer to the email sent to you directly for step-by-step directions. For more information, contact Hannah Jones at [email protected].
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Do You Need Help Hiring?
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As a small business owner managing your day-to-day operations, you may not have the time to post an ad, screen resumes, or call people in for interviews. ICNC can do this for you and more. For more information, contact Nancy Kramer at [email protected].
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| ICNC Incubator Space Available |
Enjoy  a thriving entrepreneurial environment and immediate access to ICNC's services. Click here to view more available spaces. |
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