Application Overview

Thank you for your interest in applying for the nextONE Program.  This program is designed to provide up to fifteen small business owners the combination of business skills and societal awareness needed to become active participants in helping to transform communities in the Chicagoland area.   

The program will officially begin in June and meet at least monthly for nine months ending in February 2022.  Instruction will be primarily online with in-person activities dependent on the safe availability of facilities for in person interaction.  

Participants will receive business education, business support services, information to help enhance access to capital, and perspectives on how small businesses can impact the major issues challenging communities of color.

Business Education

  • Peer-to-peer learning about business and how businesses can create social impact in a collaborative group environment
  • Self-awareness about positive and negative habits gained in the practice of your business that may be accelerating or limiting your results
  • How to:
    • identify, evaluate and capitalize on new growth opportunities
    • enhance your leadership skills
    • hire, fire and build an enduring high performing team
    • build an effective sales and marketing effort
    • access financial capital
    • create a dynamic living business plan that won’t sit on the shelf
    • take advantage of governmental contracting opportunities
    • design and align your business operations to ensure growth
    • know the right questions to ask your accountant and financial advisors
Business Support Services

  • Business advising to identify specific areas for business improvement and tailor growth opportunity planning
  • Technical assistance from subject matter experts to provide business support for critical issues and increase capacity
  • Networking opportunities to enhance exposure and build relationships with local small business owners, financial institutions, and key community stakeholders
  • Alumni services to help maintain skills after the program through participation in ongoing business clinics and networking events
Potential Access to Capital

  • Exposure to potential lenders
  • Understanding of what may be limiting your access to capital
Societal Impact

  • Perspectives on challenges impacting communities of color
  • Opportunities to forge potential solutions and collectivize impact

The program will be most beneficial for business owners who:

  • Own an established business that is poised for growth
  • Have a diverse base of customers
  • Can demonstrate that they have through critically about how to grow their companies
  • Demonstrate a need for the program but are unable to access or afford a business management education

Applications will be accepted through Monday, April 26, at 5 pm Central Time. 


Don’t wait until the last minute, start applying today! To apply, please complete all the sections in their entirety to be considered for participation.  You will receive an email when there's an update on the status of your application including acknowledgement of receipt of your materials.  If your application is moved forward in the process, you will receive an email request to provide supporting documentation to substantiate the information you provided in this application and to schedule an interview to take place between May 10-14, 2021.

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