WHAT WE DO
The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) promotes and grows the startup community in Chicago. The CEC works with innovative and high-growth tech companies from startup to growth stage through business advisory services and events that facilitate relationship development and ideas exchange.
We work with companies through:
- Business advisory services focused on sales and financing strategies
- Connecting startups to the right resources and mentors
- Events to facilitate relationship development and ideas exchange
In addition to industry focus, CEC startup companies:
- Have revenue traction, ranging from startup to several million dollars
- Have significant revenue growth (30+%) and growth potential (can reach $10 million in revenue within five years)
- Have a strong competitive advantage and unique value proposition
- Have management teams with relevant industry experience
Supporters of the startup community get involved with the CEC by volunteering for programs. The CEC has two main programs for volunteers, the Entrepreneurs and Executives in Residence Program (EIR).
EIRs are leading subject matter experts that can be efficiently linked with startups with compatible mentoring needs. EIRs are seasoned entrepreneurs, corporate executives and industry experts who are passionate about helping ventures to achieve new growth milestones and making a civic contribution to their region's economic vitality. EIR participation is on a volunteer basis, and benefits include the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative entrepreneurs in the country. View a list of our volunteer advisors and mentors.
