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 February 2023 and meet at least monthly for nine months ending in November 2023.  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
    • 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


Access to Capital

  • Understand when capital is required to grow your business
  • Identify the best source of capital based on underwriting requirements of lenders
  • Prepare and position your business for 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
  • Lack a support system for thinking through business challenges
  • Is interested in considering new frameworks for marketing, operations, and financial gaps
  • Wants to take inspired action towards their business goals

Applications will be accepted through Friday, January 20, 2023 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 January 23- February 3, 2023.

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* 1. First Name

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* 2. Last Name

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* 3. Preferred Email

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* 4. What is the best phone number to call you on?

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* 5. What is the name of your business?

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* 6. Business website URL

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* 7. How did you hear about nextONE?

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* 8. Describe what products or services your company provides. (100 words max.)

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* 9. What is your most recent yearly revenue?

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* 10. What is your projected revenue for next year?

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* 11. Describe your main business challenge. (200 words max.)

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* 12. Over the next three years, how many jobs do you plan to create?

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* 13. Have you participated in a business accelerator program before? If so, describe what worked well for you and not so well about the experience.

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* 14. How do you believe nextONE can support your business goals over the next 1-3 years?

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* 15. You are hosting a dinner party with three guests. Who would you invite and why?

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* 16. Is there anything else about your business you would like to share with us?

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* 17. Please upload the following document for your business:
  • Tax Return - 2020

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.
Choose File

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* 18. Please upload the following document for your business:
  • Tax Return - 2021

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.
Choose File

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* 19. Please upload the following document for your business:
  • Most recent financial statement for 2022

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.
Choose File

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* 20. Please upload the following document for your business:
  • Current business plan or capabilities statement

PDF, DOC, DOCX file types only.
Choose File

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