Illinois: A Global Business Destination in the Heart of the U.S.
Interested in growing your business in Illinois? We've got you covered.
General
Small Business in Illinois
Initial Steps to obtain a business license developed by the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Illinois APEX Accelerator: Providing businesses – including small, disadvantaged and women-owned firms – the guidance they need to sell their goods and services to government agencies
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO): Create equitable economic opportunities across Illinois through business attraction, investment and workforce development
Illinois Department of Commerce Office of Trade and Investment (OTI): Opens overseas markets for Illinois companies and promotes foreign direct investment in Illinois
Illinois Small Business Development Centers (SBDC): Located throughout the state providing information, confidential business guidance, training and other resources for start-ups and existing small businesses
Illinois University Incubator Network: Linked system of Illinois university incubators advancing entrepreneurship through resource sharing, technical assistance, and the collection of best practices
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – Illinois: Provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications and disaster recovery
Chicago
Initial steps to obtain a business license developed by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce: Represents 1,000 companies from all major industries (half of which do business international) with more than 150 events each year in Chicagoland
City of Chicago Small Business Center: One-stop-shop for business licensing, public way use permitting and other resources to start and grow your business in Chicago
Organizations and incubators to help grow your business
1871: A private global innovation hub with products, community and resources for technology innovators from idea to Fortune 50
Research Park at the University of Illinois: Leading innovation hub for technology commercialization with a unique environment that cultivates startups and increases capabilities for established companies
Discover Partners Institute (DPI): University of Illinois System partnership with top research universities advancing Chicago’s tech ecosystem through workforce training, applied R&D and business building
Resources by Industry
Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA): The oldest and largest state manufacturers association in the U.S. representing more than 4,000 manufacturers
Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC): A team of improvement specialists dedicated to providing manufacturers in Illinois with the tools and techniques to excel and compete globally
mHub: Positioned at the nexus of collaboration for HardTech startups, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors and industry leaders
MxD: Equips U.S. factories with the digital tools, cybersecurity and workforce expertise needed to begin building every part better than the last
Illinois Agri-Food Alliance: Leverages world-class assets, institutions and leaders via a collaborative network to support an inclusive, innovative, sustainable and resilient agri-food system for the future
The Hatchery: Chicago's premier food business incubator helping local food and beverage entrepreneurs develop successful businesses
Current: Develops water management policies and tests new technologies that grow the blue economy, drive innovation and solve pressing water challenges
Evergreen Climate Innovations: Provides catalytic capital and support to entrepreneurs and startups that bring impactful climate technologies to market
Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE): Intellectual hub and community of researchers with the common goal of advancing academic and industrial efforts in the science and engineering of quantum information
P33: Committed to reclaiming Chicago's position as the World's Brightest Spot for technological discovery and development
iBio: Promoting, connecting and engaging the life sciences community to drive discovery, transform lives through groundbreaking research and grow the Illinois economy
Illinois Science + Technology Park: Creating and sustaining businesses from basic research through commercialization with world class laboratories, office space and key support amenities
Illinois Center for Transportation (ICT): University of Illinois center focused on development and implementation of cost-effective mobility technologies
Northwestern University Transportation Center (NUTC): First U.S.-based university transportation center leading interdisciplinary education and research for industry, government and the public
Grow Your Business
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional questions about doing business in Illinois? Please reach out.
Resources > Site Selection
Why Illinois > Data & Insights
About Intersect Illinois > Services
