Home Contributors Beer-maker’s microloan program brewing hope for Chicago-area small businesses

Beer-maker’s microloan program brewing hope for Chicago-area small businesses

This post is syndicated from Coleman Entrepreneurship Center: CenterTalk Blog.
Got a great restaurant idea but need some money or advice to get started? The folks at Samuel Adams might have some cash for you, especially if you've been turned down for a loan. This week, the Boston Beer Co. is expanding a microloan program to Chicago that has helped...
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  • http://www.goodrichpr.com/ Jason Goodrich

    Where is Chicago’s NERD center, indeed?
    OfficePort Chicago was playing that role until recently when they turned away the upcoming BarCamp, among other opportunities to help grow the tech community.
    What about MS or Google offices here? Heck, how about the Chase Auditorium for Chicago Tech Meetup?
    I’ll ask Chase. Does anyone else have connections, ideas?

  • http://dlkinney.myopenid.com/ David L Kinney

    TechNexus (http://www.technexus.org/) meets most of your criteria. They will provide their space for free to non-profit events that benefit the Chicago tech community. It’s been a great resource for many groups and activities over the years, including several iPhoneDevCamps, iPadDevCamp, and various Flex user group events.

    The space handles somewhat fewer people than you suggest. I was told that if all of the space is used, about 140 people can be accommodated.

    I hope this information is useful to you.

  • http://xentek.net/ Eric Marden

    There are a ton of event spaces in the city. However, giving up that space for free is unlikely. If your event is sponsored in the first place you can generally get the space cheap/free if you cater the event through the company the owns the space. That’s what I’m doing for the upcoming Freelance Camp Chicago.

  • Anonymous

    David, TechNexus is the right answer to Zishan’s question. They are very sensitive to costs, too, depending on the type of event. I’m not sure if they’ll do 100% free, but they will absolutely keep costs low. Josh

  • http://chicago.techscene.us/ Chicago Tech Scene

    Thanks for the feedback guys.

    So from email and the blog it seems many votes for TechNexus. I’ve been to some meetups (i.e. Lean Startup Circle) in their conference rooms, and that’s not quite what I’m looking for. Are we talking about a separate space? I’ll reach out to them.

    However, I like the following suggestions:
    1. David W. – http://www.ravenswoodeventcenter.com//atrium/atrium.html Outstanding! Thanks for that. Any word from Hayes Properties?

    2. Daniel Z – Columbia college media center – website looks cool, although I’ve not been there. Are they open yet?

    3. UIC Innovation center was good for built in A/V and break out sessions.

    4. I liked the auditoriums at IIT (SocialDevCamp) and UofC (Entrepreneurial Workshop) campuses, but they are kind of “out of the way”… What about Depaul, Loyola, or Northwestern downtown campuses?

    Anyone have a contact at any of the schools, or Chicago chamber of commerce?

  • http://rachelbaker.me Rachel Baker

    We (The Chicago Nerd Social Club) are always on a hunt for a location to host events to host free or cheap events- and find that to be very difficult in Chicago. I am glad I came across this post and I hope there are other possible event locations that are still unturned.

  • http://www.danielzarick.com Daniel Zarick

    It is brand new. Just opened up in January. Actually, I have not been to the building yet, either. What I meant, though, is that Columbia has numerous spaces of varying sizes and function. So depending on the event, it could be hosted somewhere on campus. The biggest issue is that there are about a dozen events on Columbia’s campus every day, so I’ll have to gauge the interest of faculty helping out.

  • http://www.fortecg.com Mykl Howard

    I have a space in the loop and I/we select and host several events monthly for NO COST. We do this to get our name (FORTE CONSULTING GROUP http://www.fortecg.com) out there. Anyone that’s interested in free space can reach out to me, if it makes sense, we will host your event. We have a group space and several TECH people and groups are already taking advantage of it.

    Mykl Howard
    mhoward@fortecg.com
    312-924-1452

  • http://www.fortecg.com Mykl Howard

    I work on the same floor as the TechNexus/ITS and we have access to host TECH events for free. Please contact me if anyone is interested. Thank you.