Chicago APEX Accelerator

Have a look inside our Barbecue-Side Chat series! Thanks to all of our amazing panelists and guests for joining us and Southland Development Authority at Security Innovation Hub👏

We're having our FINAL Barbecue-Side Chat of the summer on Sept. 17. Come enjoy panels, barbecue, and a happy hour!

Event Details:
📆Date: Sept. 17
⏰Time: 3-6 PM
📍Location: 1308 S Kilbourn Ave. Chicago, IL
🔗Register: https://bit.ly/BBQChat3

We're proud to be a partner of the Cook County Source Business Support Organization network!

The Source is another program, alongside our SBDC and APEX Accelerator, that helps us give business owners access to:

• No-cost business advising
• Workshops and events
• Expert guidance and resources
• Referrals to trusted business support organizations
• Connections to resources for funding, strategy, government contracting and growth

🔗Learn more here: cookcountysmallbiz.org/business-advising

Come check out our Barbecue-Side Chat with the Feds & the SLEDs event this Thursday!💥☀️

We will be having TWO panels, one with BAIL resources and another with government and education folks! Learn how to get your business procurement-ready from the pros while enjoying some delicious barbecue in a relaxed summer setting🌭🍔!

Event Details:
📅Date: July 9, 2026
⏰Time: 10AM-1PM
📌Location: Security Innovation Hub | 1308 S Kilbourn Ave. Chicago, IL
🔗Registration: Click the link in our bio to register!

*Vegetarian options available
*Rescheduled from July 2, 2026

Celebrate Independence Day with us at our Barbecue-Side Chat with the Feds & the SLEDs☀️💥

This sunny event will feature a panel of government procurement experts and state and local education entities discussing how to be procurement ready and the current contracting landscape, all in a fun cookout environment! There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions and network, so take advantage!

Space is limited!

🔗Register Here: https://conta.cc/4dWDzIk

🎉We're so excited to be hosting our 2nd Annual Awesome Adventures in Product & Innovation Expo in just two weeks with Women's Business Development Center, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Southland Development Authority, and National INDIA HUB!🤝

👏This expo is one our biggest events of the year featuring 100 booths of government agencies, prime contractors, small business resources, community organizations, and our small business clients. If you want to showcase your business, register ASAP. Space is going fast!

🧠Stop by one of our four workshops and network directly with people who can grow your business. This is your business's chance to show what it can do, so make sure to bring a polished capability statement!

We can't wait to see you there!😃

Register here: https://bit.ly/AAPIExpo2026

🏛Want to win government contracts? You're going to need a capability statement.

🎨Professional graphic designers from will show you step-by-step how to create an eye-catching capability statement that will make your business stand out from the competition.

💸This no-cost workshop could help you secure thousand dollar contracts, so don't miss it!

🔗Can't attend in person? No problem, this workshop will be hybrid! Click the link in our bio to register.

⚡️Our HYBRID Supercharged Sales Academy starts tomorrow⚡️

This isn't your average workshop series! Our pro Business Advisor Michael Van will provide unique and actionable insights in this no-cost 4-week academy, AND every attendee will walk away with a completed workbook they can actually use in their business💡

🔗View the course schedule here: https://bit.ly/super_academy

Event Details:
📆Date: Tuesdays, April 28-May 19
⏰Time: 1:30-3:00PM
📍Location: Radmacher Room, Skokie Public Library; Zoom

📣This no-cost online course has everything your business needs! 📣

The Verizon Small Business Digital Readiness (VSBDR) program arms entrepreneurs with information and tools for:
✅Financial health
✅Digital marketing
✅Business strategy
✅Cybersecurity
✅Cultivating a healthy workplace culture

💵The VSBDR program also offers a $10,000 grant through it's partnership with LISC, and has already awarded $15 million in grants since 2021!

Thank you to Verizon and National ACE for providing our small businesses with this incredible free resource!

Visit https://conta.cc/4mCzmfo to get started.