March 2023
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we are celebrating female founders and introducing streamlined tools for success. In addition to connecting with a community of entrepreneurs and industry experts, attendees will explore how to access capital, learn about the process of becoming a certified Woman–Owned Business, and hear from a panel of female entrepreneurs.
 
Food sampling will be provided by entrepreneurs. Proceeds from ticket sales go to support local, women-owned catering businesses.
Date: Thursday, March 23rd
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Location: The Hatchery Chicago (135 N. Kedzie Ave.)
ICNC Sponsors Mayoral Forum on Manufacturing
ICNC was honored to sponsor and join the conversation with partners The Great Cities Institute at UIC, Manufacturing Renaissance, MxD, and North Branch Works for February’s mayoral candidate forum revolving around Chicago’s industrial policies and the city’s future vision of manufacturing.

Industrial policy affects all aspects of city life, including land use and zoning decisions, economic development, job growth, the tax base, and the environment. Audience members engaged with the candidates regarding their industrial visions, the issues real business owners are currently experiencing, and their plans for business attraction and retention. We thank everyone for an engaging conversation!
One of the reasons that entrepreneurs tell us that they decide to grow their business at our Make City incubator is to be a part of thriving community of like-minded individuals. Recently, Sion Owen, founder of Kobi Kids, put together a Make City founders meet-up at Rhine Hall to provide a space for founders to connect and find ways to support each other. We are thrilled to see our community coming together to find ways that they can benefit from and contribute to each others entrepreneurial journey.

ICNC’s 416,000 square-foot manufacturing incubator, Make City, located in four buildings on Chicago’s Near West Side, houses over 110 new and growing companies across a diverse set of industries including food/beverage, light manufacturing, professional services, and apparel. Learn more about Make City and see available spaces.
Trade shows can offer exposure, retail introductions, press opportunities, and long-term sales in a B2B environment. Make the most of your experience with expert insights! In this session, Make City tenants Jess Feller of Aged & Infused and Nick Behr of Modern Sprout discuss how to select the right show for your business, discounted opportunities, tips and tricks to maximize exposure, and measurements for a successful show.   
Make City Mentions + The Hatchery Chicago® Headlines
Product Launch
Girón Guatemalan Apparel + Home
News Feature
Laos To Your House
A Love Bird drop is live on Girón Guatemalan Apparel + Home's website! The products including chairs, rugs, children’s clothing and toys, and much more are restored in Chicago with all textiles from Guatemala. Shop online.
Laos To Your House, a company that offers Laotian dishes including papaya salad, sticky rice, spicy sausage, chicken wings, and more for delivery, takeout, or catering, was recently named one of the top places to order takeout from in Chicago by Eater.
News Feature
Farmer's Fridge
Product Launch
Black Women Are Essential
Farmer's Fridge was recently highlighted by the Chicago Sun-Times about how the company thrives thanks to using 25% local produce, a thorough washing system, well thought out logistics, and a happy workforce to become a health food empire.
Black Woman Are Essential, co-founded by Alex Carter Brand, launched an engraved necklace after surveying customers about what they’d like to see. They have also restocked other items including a fanny pack, journal, mug, and more. Shop online.
Connect with Us at Upcoming Classes + Events
How ICNC's Workforce Team Can Support Your Business
The Workforce Development team at ICNC works to provide support, quality, and services that connect a skilled and qualified jobseeker with employment, as well as a variety of labor market services to meet the needs of local businesses.
Free ServSafe Training
Free ServSafe Food Handler (a value of $15) and ServSafe Manager (a $240 value) training is now available. This program is open to all Illinois residents, but priority will go to West and South Side of Chicago residents. Please contact Alicia for more information.
ICNC is Hiring
ICNC is looking for individuals to join our team! Our team is searching for a Community Engagement Coordinator for our Make City incubator, a Development Manager, and a Bilingual Custodian. Learn more about the job opportunities, share with your network, and apply.
Grow Your Business @ Make City + The Hatchery
Make City - 320 N. Damen
The Hatchery Chicago - 135 N. Kedzie
ICNC's Make City incubator offers a thriving entrepreneurial community and immediate access to ICNC's advising, export, and advocacy services alongside 100 other small, modern urban manufacturing businesses. ICNC supports small businesses and the West Side community through incubation, advocacy, and advising.
The Hatchery Chicago is a non-profit food and beverage incubator dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs build and grow successful businesses through cutting-edge kitchen facilities, entrepreneurship curriculum, partnerships with generous corporate sponsors and foundations to create local job opportunities and accelerate local economic growth.
Check out our partners:
Learn more about the Illinois SBDC at ICNC here. The Illinois Small Business Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC). Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Please contact the center at (312)433-2373.