Make City Small Business Pitch Event

Groupon’s mission is to be the daily habit in local commerce. The Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago offers small businesses a vibrant entrepreneurial community within its incubator, comprehensive business advising, workforce development services, and advocacy. Together, Groupon and the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago endeavor to assist Chicago based start-ups and growth staged businesses to launch and expand their operations.
 
Who should apply to the Make City Pitch Contest?
The Make City Pitch Contest is open to businesses that manufacture tangible products. For example:
  • Product wholesale companies (non-distributors)
  • Consumer packaged goods companies
  • Business to consumer product companies

​What are the eligibility requirements to participate in the Make City Pitch Contest?
  • Businesses that have been in operation 5 years or less
  • Must have a plan to launch a new venture or expand current operations
  • Must be located within the Chicago city limits

​Who is not eligible to participate in the Make City Pitch Contest?
Employees of Groupon or ICNC nor their family members may apply to participate in the Make City Pitch Contest.

How will businesses who participate in the Make City Pitch Contest be judged?
  • Content of the business plan, including the thoroughness and quality of the analysis
  • Effective use of business information and research
  • Plan for effective use of the prize money and or supplemental services
  • Probability of successful launch or expansion
  • Community impact and job creation potential
  • Quality and effectiveness of final presentation (in the event the applicant becomes a finalist and is invited to present)
 
After I submit my application, when will I be informed if I’ve been chosen as a finalist?
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by mid-August.
 
Are there restrictions on how winning applicants can spend their prize money?
The purpose of the cash award is to provide assistance with the start or expansion of a business venture. Thus, the cash award should be used for the purposes specific to starting or growing a business.
 
Have questions that have not been answered? 
​Please contact us at [email protected]. 
Thursday, October 5th, 2017
3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
ICNC Office
320 N. Damen Ave. 
Want to attend? 
Read more about it on the Groupon Merchant Blog.
Thank you to our featured sponsors: