Ready to take your business to the next level?

Our 9-month program is especially designed to help Black-owned businesses scale and grow.

Interested in applying? Scroll down to learn more and get information on upcoming events, or apply now.

Application deadline: Monday, April 26, 5 p.m. Central 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

Information Sessions

Sign up for one of our upcoming information sessions to learn more about nextONE and the application process. Hear from past participants and ask any questions you have about the program.