Business Cohort/Training Programs

• Food Hero Culinary Career Pathways Program
  • Description: 8 week training program in the food and hospitality industry. Classes are normally Tuesday through Friday for about 5 hours each day. 
  • Geographic Coverage: in-person Chicago
  • Cost: $5,000; however, they have a grant from the State so those eligible can have the tuition covered (e.g., recently applied for unemployment, receiving unemployment benefits, or exhausted benefits within the last 12 months) 

• Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center - Milestone Circles
  • Description: “Milestone Circles is the signature 12-week program helping U.S.-based founders build, scale, and lead with purpose. Our community provides a dedicated space to learn alongside like-minded entrepreneurs across America who share your passion for building something greater than themselves.”
  • Geographic Coverage: Nationwide
  • Cost: Free, “Supported by the Wells Fargo Foundation”

• Sunshine Entreprises – Community Business Academy
  • Description: They have several hybrid, online, and in-person cohorts training starting soon including a Foodpreneur cohort. 12 week training to start or scale your business. 
  • Geographic Coverage: Chicagoland area
  • Cost: there is a fee, please reach out to Sunshine Entreprises for more information.
  • Deadline: February 12, 2026

• PODER – Customer Service Program
  • Description: an online program to train individuals on customer service, after completing the program a certificate could be obtained by individuals. Flyer attached
  • Geographic Coverage: online

• Juntos Emprendemos
  • Description: "Juntos Emprendemos" es un programa de 10 semanas sin costo para los participantes, diseñado para emprendedores que ya han desarrollado una idea de negocio sólida y están listos para llevar su emprendimiento al siguiente nivel.” Spanish cohort for those who have an idea to start a business or want to grow their business. Flyer attached. Starts March 18, 2026. 
  • Geographic Coverage: online program
  • Cost: Free

• Passport Community Q2 cohort, starts Tuesday, April 7th - ends Tuesday, June 30th, 2026
  • Description: “Passport Community is a high-impact, weekly mastermind designed for growth-minded business owners generating over $250k who are ready to sharpen their revenue strategy and execute with intention over the next 90 days. Passport Community is designed to business owners: clarify your revenue priorities; strengthen your growth strategy; learn from peers facing similar scaling challenges; stay accountable to real progress. Sessions are weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30pm - 7pm CST via zoom.”. For more info, click HERE. To register, click HERE. 
  • Geographic Coverage:
  • Cost: $299

Business Workshops/Events

• Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) - Small Purchase, Big Opportunity: Navigating Informal Solicitations
  • “This webinar will focus on small purchase solicitations under $100K, covering eligibility requirements, proper response protocols, and timing challenges. The session includes information on BidBuy registration, monitoring, and response procedures for the small purchase space.”
  • February 11, 2026 from 10am – 11am 

• Propiedad Intelectual y Registro de Marcas
  • “Un seminario web práctico sobre propiedad intelectual y marcas registradas que explica cómo proteger su marca, ideas y activos creativos, evitar errores legales comunes y fortalecer su negocio de manera segura.” Spanish webinar on intellectual property and trademark registration. 
  • February 11, 2026 from 10am – 11am, zoom 

• DCEO’s Office of Accountability: Registering in SAM
  • “This [virtual] training will explain the steps required to apply for a Unique Entity Identifier, how to complete your SAM.gov registration and steps for registration renewal.”
  • February 18, 2026 from 9am – 10am

Nominations

• Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) – Women’s Veterans Program
  • Description: “The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking women Veterans in Illinois who demonstrate leadership, mentoring, and advocacy in their Veteran communities. All nominees must be an Illinois Women Veteran and must have a completed IDVA Consent to Release Form along with application submission.”
  • Deadline: February 1, 2026 at 12:00pm 

• Women Employed – The Working Lunch 2026 Better Than Ever
  • Description: “At the 2026 luncheon, we will also honor and celebrate leaders who have harnessed their own power to defend our progress, ensure working women know their rights, and advance change so women, families, and communities can thrive. And we need you to help us recognize those changemakers by submitting a nomination for an honoree.”
  • Deadline: February 19, 2026 at 11:59pm 

• Negocios Now Latinos 40 under 40 Chicago
  • Description: Nominations are now open, and it is open to the Chicago metropolitan area. “The 40 exceptional Latinos under 40 who will be selected will come from various sectors, including business, government, nonprofit, sports, education, and more.”
  • Deadline: February 28, 2026

Nonprofit Resources

• Secretary of State – Information on Forming an NFP Online 

DCEO Job Opportunities: For a full list, click HERE

• Highlighting a CMS job opportunity in case it is of interest: 

• Title: ASSISTANT DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF STATEWIDE D&I - LANGUAGE ACCESS, ASSESSMENT, AND COMPENSATION MANAGER
• Brief Description: “The Department of Central Management Services (CMS), Division of Diversity & Inclusion, is seeking to hire a seasoned, detailed oriented, community advocate to serve as the inaugural, Assistant Deputy Director of Statewide Diversity & Inclusion, and Manager for Language Access, Assessment, and Compensation. This expert leader will oversees daily operational aspects in concert with the Deputy Director for all Division Managers who lead African American, Asian American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American state statute deliverables while collaborating with Governor’s Office, members of the Illinois General Assembly, and sister agency heads to lead statewide assessments…”
• Salary: $10,666 - $11,500; monthly anticipated + 5% bilingual pay
• Location: Cook County
• Deadline to Apply: 02/17/2026

Additional Resources/Opportunities

• Want to learn more about how to create a Worker Cooperative?
  • Description: Center for Changing Lives “…Small Business Coaching will help you understand what a worker co-op is and how this can support you in your entrepreneurial work.”

• ICJIA - Call for Community-Based Grant Application Reviewers
  • Description: “Review applications for Illinois criminal justice grants and make a real impact in communities across Illinois.”