Ready to take your business to the next level?
Our 9-month program is especially designed to help Black-owned businesses scale and grow.
Applications for the 2021-22 cohort are closed. Join us for one of our upcoming events.
UPCOMING EVENTS
There are no public events scheduled at this time.
First launched in 2007, nextONE has helped more than 60 Black business owners grow and scale their established businesses. Now, after a 10-year hiatus, the Chicago Urban League is bringing nextONE back!
Watch our announcement video to hear from a few of the business owners who completed the program.
The nextONE program has four primary components:
BUSINESS TRAINING
Accelerated MBA-level training and peer-to-peer learning to enhance leadership skill and grow businesses
BUSINESS SUPPORT SERVICES
Advice, technical assistance and networking
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
Exposure to potential lenders and insight on what may be limiting your access to capital
SOCIETAL IMPACT
Opportunities to forge solutions to challenges impacting communities of color
Is nextONE Right for You?
For 2021-22, nextONE will target businesses in four industries with high-potential for growth: food services, technology, professional services, and cannabis-adjacent businesses. The 2021-22 cohort will include up to 15 business owners for the nine-month program, which will begin in June. To be considered for nextONE, applicants must be the primary owner and/or co-owner and key decision maker of a business that generally meets the following criteria:
- Business revenues between $250,000 – $4 million in the most recent fiscal year
- At least two employees (including the business owner)
- In operation for at least five years
- The potential and desire to grow and create jobs in the community
ACADEMIC PARTNERS
Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Chicago
FUNDING PARTNERS
AT&T
BMO Harris Bank
Boeing
Fifth Third Bank
McGrath Imports
PepsiCo
ADVISORY PARTNERS
1871
Business Leadership Council
Hyatt Corp.
ITW
mHUB
