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Selling to Big Business / Government and Certifications

Selling to the City of Chicago

The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) is the contracting, certification and compliance authority for the City of Chicago.  DPS maintains the highest commitment to diversity, transparency, and innovation while continuously expanding the resources and programs that empower citizens to become involved in the contracting opportunities available at the City.  The DPS website includes information about upcoming contracting opportunities and links to the contracting opportunity pages of other government entities.

Becoming certified

The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services offers certifications in the following areas:

  • Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)
  • Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE)
  • Business Enterprises Owned or Operated by People with Disabilities (BEPD)
  • Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VBE)
  • Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
  • Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)

Visit the City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services website for more information and to get started.

Selling to the Government

Government agencies and large corporations buy the same types of things most businesses do; professional services, supplies, landscaping services and so on.  Selling to government agencies can be tricky though, and that's where Procurement Technical Assistance Centers ("PTAC") come in to play.  PTAC offices provide small businesses throughout the region with assistance in submitting and understanding bidding opportunities and contracts.  Often, they also support businesses in gaining certifications for women-, veteran- and minority-owned businesses.

Review the following organizations that can also help Chicago companies with procurement and sales assistance services.

 
 

51st Street Business Association

Assisting businesses with planning, resource development, grant writing and educational workshops, delegate agent and liaison to the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection.

Advocates for Urban Agriculture

Advocates for Urban Agriculture (AUA) empowers urban growers to foster thriving communities through sustainable agriculture and equitable food systems. We envision a flourishing food system that promotes urban agriculture in the Chicago area as an integral part of community economic development, food security, environmental sustainability, and overall quality of life for the region, and in which practitioners, organizations, and residents can reap the benefits.

Allies for Community Business

Allies for Community Business provides the capital, coaching, and collaboration entrepreneurs need to grow great businesses in their communities.

Bunker Labs

Bunker Labs is a national nonprofit organization with the mission of ensuring that the military-connected community has the network, tools, and opportunities they need to start successful ventures.

Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown

Since 1923 Business Partners, The Chamber for Uptown has offered expert support in three key areas: networking & introductions, access to capital, and special events & promotions. The Chamber for Uptown can aid you in small business compliance and advocacy at the city and state level.

Chicago Business Affairs & Consumer Protection

BACP ensures a fair and vibrant market place for both businesses and consumers. BACP licenses businesses and public vehicles, provides business education and access to resources, enforces the Municipal Code, and protects consumers from fraud.

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group

Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives Micro Finance Group is a mission driven Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides lending capital up to $50,000 and business development resources to new and emerging small businesses throughout the metropolitan Chicago area.

Chicago Regional Growth Corporation

Chicago Regional Growth Corporation ("CRGC") is the regional economic development organization that drives collaboration between public and private sector partners to drive inclusive economic growth and prosperity across northeastern Illinois.

Chicago Urban League

The Chicago Urban League Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation was founded in 2007 to help African- Americans launch, grow, and sustain businesses.

Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber is a community of business and civic leaders working on behalf of Chicagoland businesses. Members represent a diverse cross-section of our economy, including small and emerging businesses, mid-market companies, large corporations, and multi-nationals.

City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services

The Department of Procurement Services (DPS) is the contracting, certification and compliance authority for the City of Chicago.

Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce

We are the Chamber of Commerce in Garfield Park, a community-based organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. With the help of our tireless staff, we organize networking events, fundraisers, exciting community-building events, and in-depth training sessions for our volunteers.

Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce

Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) provides economic programs designed to educate aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses through economic programs designed to strengthen and enhance financial opportunities to grow their businesses.

Greater Southwest Dev Cor

Greater Southwest Development Corporation is a business resource center on the southwest side of Chicago, with local and regional expertise to support the launch and/or development of your business, regardless of industry.

HACIA (Hispanic American Construction Industry Association)

A 501 (c) (6) organization founded in 1979, the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) works to ensure the equitable participation of its constituents in the construction industry, while also promoting the growth, quality of work, professionalism and integrity of these individuals and businesses.HACIA, a 41-year-old, not-for-profit business organization works to provide technical assistance to MBE, WBE and DBE firms with the goal of developing long-term sustainability & capacity. HACIA represents more than 300 companies that include everything from professional service firms to construction-related businesses, collectively employing approximately 7,000 workers with an annual economic impact of over $400 million

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC)

IHCC’s mission is to cultivate knowledge, connections and collaboration to effect transformational social change and achieve sustainable economic impact through entrepreneurship.

Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago

The Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago's Make City incubator is one of the largest and oldest incubators in the country. Built in the 1890s, at 416,000 square feet, the incubator is unique in its manufacturing focus. ICNC provides growing companies in a wide variety of industries affordable space, business assistance, and an entrepreneurial community that they can both benefit from and contribute to.

Inner City Capital Connections

Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC) is a national program designed to help small- and medium-sized businesses in economically-distressed areas build capacity for sustainable growth in revenue, profitability, and employment.

Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce

The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is a broad community based organization designed to represent and help merchants and other business people in the community.

MBDA Business Center Chicago

MBDA Business Center is funded by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce/Minority Business Development Agency and operated by the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council. We help MBE business grow through education,advocacy, and access to capital and procurement opportunities.

Mid South Business Association & Resource Center

MSBARC will take responsibility for developing our economy and businesses, promoting the assets of our community, and attracting investment. We will develop strategies and goals, and support and enlist the assistance of, elected officials to secure external resources, tools, and relationships that will help us achieve these goals.

Native American chamber of Commerce

We are dedicated to the establishment, advancement and support of the American Indian entrepreneur. We educate, mentor, connect and advocate on behalf of Natives businesses, students and those that wish to start a new enterprise.

Northwest Side CDC

Our mission is to provide the Northwest Side and Belmont Cragin with the tools and resources to preserve affordable housing, prevent displacement, and provide business development assistance to local small businesses. Nuestra misión es proporcionar a Northwest Side y Belmont Cragin las herramientas y los recursos para preservar viviendas asequibles, prevenir el desplazamiento y brindar asistencia para el desarrollo comercial a las pequeñas empresas locales.

Polish American Chamber of Commerce

POLISH AMERICAN CHAMBER STANDS BESIDE IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEURS AND ALSO BESIDE BUSINESSES CROSSING THE ATLANTIC -- IN BOTH DIRECTIONS The Chicago-based Polish American Chamber of Commerce is the largest not-for-profit organization in the United States dedicated to fostering the interests of Polish American and Polish-owned businesses, business owners and professionals on a local, national and international level.

Sunshine Enterprises

Sunshine Enterprises’ mission is to empower local entrepreneurs in under-resourced communities to grow their business and transform their communities. We strategically partner with individuals in the community who are operating or seeking to start a business.

The Hatchery

The Hatchery is a Food and Beverage Incubator for Start Up companies looking to grow their business. We provide onsite tools, educational classes and events, and commercial grade kitchen space to ignite your dream into reality.

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA is the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government. It empowers entrepreneurs with the support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover after a disaster.

University of Chicago Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

At the Polsky Exchange, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides significant resources and programming for community entrepreneurs, as part of the University of Chicago’s commitment to supporting strong, vibrant communities in the neighborhoods surrounding its South Side campus.

Women's Business Development Center

The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) supports and accelerates business development and growth, targeting women and serving all diverse business owners, in order to strengthen their participation in, and impact on, the economy.

Business Growth Guide

This is part of the Chicago Business Growth Guide.

View the Growth Guide 
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