Connect with the Uptown Business Center’s Free Business Services for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses!
The Uptown Business Center (UBC) is managed by Uptown United, and supports new and existing business owners and entrepreneurs within the East-West boundaries of Lake Shore Drive to the Chicago River, and North-South boundaries of Lincoln Park to Rogers Park. Whether you’re in the idea stage of your business or a long-standing business owner, the UBC provides a suite of free business services!
Sign up for a free UBC Business Consultation today for a wide range of free services including:
- Licensing Assistance: choosing and applying for the best license for your business, meeting zoning requirements, securing a liquor license, and more.
- Permitting Assistance: applying for and renewing sidewalk cafes, sign permits etc.
- Funding Resources: locating traditional and non-traditional financial resources including webinars, connections to local institutions, and the latest local and federal grant/loan information.
- Sector-Specific Support: industry events, trainings, webinars, networking opportunities.
- Digital Marketing Assistance: digital storytelling, social media planning, content creation, google business profile development, and more.
- Connecting with your local Chamber of Commerce for additional support in marketing, neighborhood events, networking, and more.
Consultations are provided virtually, by phone, or in person based on your preference. Learn more about how the UBC can support you by signing up for a free UBC Business Consultation, emailing ubc@exploreuptown.org, or calling 773-878-1064.
Upcoming Business Resource Events
Digital Marketing Essentials: Boost Your Business Online
Tuesday, October 29th | 9:00-10:15AM
Online Webinar Via Zoom
Unlock the power of digital marketing for your business! Whether you’re new to marketing or looking for a quick refresher, this session is perfect for small business owners or their teams. Discover essential tips on building a strong online presence—from website fundamentals to effective social media strategies. Walk away with practical skills, fresh ideas, and the confidence to grow your brand in today’s digital world! This is event is presented in partnership with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce.
Money Smart with Wintrust Bank: Tax Planning & Reporting
Tuesday, November 19th | 3:00-4:00PM
Uptown Business Center, 4619 N Broadway
Join the Uptown Business Center and Wintrust Bank Uptown at 4619 N Broadway for a free training as part of the Money Smart Program on Tax Planning & Reporting. This training will cover small business taxes and requirements at the federal, state, and local levels, tax reporting, and payment planning.
Current Grant Opportunities
The Amber Grant
Applications Open Until October 31, 2024
WomensNet founded the Amber Grant to support women-owned businesses. Selected applicants will receive a $10,000 grant to support their small business. The application is applied to all WomensNet grants and only requires two questions about your business concept and how you would use awarded funds to support your business. Note that there is a $15 application fee to apply. Apply Now.
Chicago Community Development Grants - Small
Applications Open Until November 8, 2024
Receive up to $250,000 for construction or renovation costs for your business. Grants support local commercial and light manufacturing projects. Apply here.
Eligibility:
- Proposed projects must be revenue-generating
- Projects must comprise the following uses
- Commercial (office, retail)
- Light industrial
- Mixed-use residential (residential costs cannot exceed 25% of the total grant amount and must be part of a larger building improvement, such as HVAC/plumbing)
- Priority is given to projects with strong local impacts that leverage local talents, capacities and institutions and contribute to community vitality.
Note that this is a reimbursement grant. Eligible costs include pre-development, new construction and renovations. Applications are open to business owners, property owners, community developers, and entrepreneurs. Apply now.
Illinois Arts Council's (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF)
Applications Open Until 11:59pm Wednesday, November 20
The Creative Accelerator Fund provide crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois' economic activity. Grant winners receive a $10,000 taxable award.
Eligibility:
- Individual artists with an active and sustained practice.
- Age 21 or older
- Established Illinois resident prior to November 20, 2023
- Able to include a work sample created by applicant during 2022-2024
- Able to include a work sample created by applicant during 2021 or prior
- Not currently enrolled full-time at a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program.
Artists will be awarded from each IAC region. Webinars and drop in hours are available for applicants who have questions. Learn More & Apply Now.
The Awesome Foundation
Applications Are Reviewed and Rewarded on a Rolling Basis
The Awesome Foundation awards $1,000 grants each month to individuals and groups for various projects - everyone is eligible to apply! With 84 independently run chapters, members contribute to a micro-funding pool supporting these grants. Apply Now.
LISC Black Restaurant Fund
Rolling Application Window
Local Initiatives Support Collaboration (LISC) and UberEats are partnering to provide Black-owned restaurants and restaurants serving the Black community with growth capital. Growth capital is a long-term investment tool that is only paid back once the business reaches success. Learn more and submit an inquiry here.
Eligibility:
- Black-owned restaurants or restaurants serving the Black community
- Must earn an annual revenue between $250,000 and $3,000,000
- In operation for at least two years
- Active UberEats partner
- Located in an economically disadvantaged community
Growth capital is granted on a rolling basis. Complete the intake form here.
Wish Local Empowerment Program
Rolling Application Window
Black-owned businesses can apply for $500-$2,000 grants to support their existing brick-and-mortar businesses. Apply Now.
Eligibility:
- Black-owned business
- 18+ years of age
- 20 or fewer employees
- Brick-and-mortar shop within the United States
- Store earns an average annual revenue under $1M
This is a rolling application. Learn more an apply at wish.com/local/empowerment. Apply Here.
UBC Resources
These presentations and resource packets cover small business resources and information presented at UBC events. Sign up for a free UBC Business Consultation today to learn about other resources for your businesses and to receive personalized support!
Uptown Business Center Partners
In total, there are 8 community Chicago Business Centers located throughout the city. Services are free. Visit chicago.gov/cbc or click here for more information. The UBC provides assistance with licensing, permitting, and additional specialized business services in collaboration with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), local Chambers, and community partners.
Within the map of Lake Shore Drive to the Chicago River, and North-South boundaries of Lincoln Park to Rogers Park, the Uptown Business Center works collaboratively with the following partners:
Testimonials
Working with Uptown Business Center has been such a great pleasure! Kylie Ruscheinski has been such an amazing help all around. She has guided us with great grants, to ways how to manage our social media pages, and best ways to promote our restaurants. Kylie is very hands on and works with you through all your questions or problems you may have. We have been very fortunate to be introduced to Uptown Business Centers.
- Oscar Hernandez, Falcon's Handcrafted Sandwiches
I had the pleasure of meeting with Kylie Ruscheinski at Uptown Business Center to navigate some of the challenges I was facing during the licensing phase of starting my business. Meeting with Kylie was a small investment of time with a massive impact—she helped me prepare my documents in advance of my in-person meetings with BACP, which helped me get through the licensing process in record time! Her advice and insights were invaluable and helped me open my doors quickly—because of Kylie’s familiarity with the nuances of the City’s licensing requirements, I was able to start offering services that benefit the families in my community sooner and minimize the number of months I was paying rent on an empty space!
- Risa McMahon, Southport Fundamentals
Approaching my 4th decade of life, I have consistently worked as an employee at other businesses. With that experience and a dream to achieve a lot more on my own terms, I chose to create an LLC for my eye care business. It was one of the best business decisions to join the Uptown Chamber of Commerce because I learned about the Uptown Business Center and met the director Kylie Ruscheinski. I can tell that everyone working at the Business Center and the Chamber of Commerce is really invested in the success of the organizations and businesses who ask for help. Every time I talk with the director, Kylie, I learn so much that helps me achieve more success in my business as a doctor who is new to entrepreneurship. It is extremely helpful to have the workshops and services available to business owners that exist at the business center and I hope to see this continued support toward local business owners.
- Dr. Karina N Fulton, Willow Vision Health