Monday, August 31, 2015

Why Chicago Is Shaping Up to Be One of the Hottest Tech Startup Scenes

For the second year in a row, Chicago trails only New York City as the No. 1 hub for fast-growing private companies on the Inc. 5000. Here's a quick look at why. 

IMAGE: Getty Images
There's a reason why more and more entrepreneurs are calling the Windy City home.
Currently, Chicago hosts as many as 104 private companies on the Inc. 5000 (last year, it counted 95), landing second place on the list of Top Cities for Fast-Growing Companies. New York City grabbed the No. 1 spot. Of those 104 businesses in Chicago, 38 fall under the IT services sector.
In a 2015 report from investment firm CBRE, Chicago ranked as the 5th largest and 11th fastest-growing tech market in the country. Over the past four years, the capital city has created more than 40,000 tech jobs. (CBRE's research team used 13 metrics to give each market a score, depending on its competitive advantage, ability to draw talent, and ability increase its pool of tech professionals.)
Indeed, technology is revamping an already-strong startup ecosystem, argues Howard Tullman, an Inc.com columnist and the CEO of 1871, a business incubator that currently works with 425 companies and 1,600 clients.
Office interior at 1871
The advent of 3D printing makes manufacturing less costly. At large, the manufacturing sector is being infused with many technological advancements, he says, noting that the maker movement in particular is good for business.
"In Chicago, you see a lot of marketplace businesses and software as services," adds Stuart Larkins, founder of Chicago Ventures. The two-year-old venture capital firm provides seed and early stage funding to 44 startups in the area. One of those includes SpotHero, a Chicago-based on-demand parking app, which just announced that it raised $22 million in a Series B funding round on Wednesday. 
"I personally think Chicago is very approachable," Larkins adds. "We find it very easy to get our companies introductions to new people for new business opportunities."
Still, the Windy City isn't trying to follow in the footsteps of its Western brother, Silicon Valley, as Pritzker Group founder J.B. Pritzker discussed with Tullman at Inc. and CNBC's iCONIC conference last May. "We aspire to be a great tech hub with great entrepreneurs," he said.
Here are three reasons for the Midwestern city's recent emergence as a major force for small businesses:

1. It's rich with industry diversity.

Chicago is famously home to large companies in diverse sectors. Industry giants like Boeing and United Airlines prove that transportation continues to thrive there, while health care and education services are also gaining traction. 1871 counts 100 companies in health care I.T., and 24 in education, the latter of which are bringing tech solutions to the classroom.
Infiniteach, for example, is an app that helps individuals with autism to better communicate and learn new skills. In March, the startup won the audience choice award at the Google-Autism Speaks pitch competition, including a cash prize of $10,000.
Another growing industry in Chicago is mobility, which includes parking and shared vehicle services like SpotHero. Essentially, the sector encapsulates "everything outside of a car," says Tullman. Major French car companies, along with executives from BMW, are now being drawn to the incubator's spacious digs. He predicts that bike-sharing will soon morph into electric car-sharing in the city proper, as the surplus economy continues to grow.
A wealth of big businesses provide new market opportunity for smaller ones: Startups are increasingly going the business-to-business (B2B) route, meaning they frequently work with other companies as opposed to going directly clients. "From the very beginning, they're focusing on how they can be bought," Tullman explains. "The frequency of exits is growing."
In fact, 2014 was the city's best tech year to date, according to Built In Chicago, an online community for startups. Overall, 155 companies received nearly $1.6 million in funding, while 34 exits raked in $7 billion. Still, Tullman doesn't expect to see many billion dollar exits any time soon, since successful founders are increasingly electing to launch secondary and tertiary ventures.
Industry diversity also means that it's easy for Chicago startups -- especially those B2B models -- to get in front of their customers, because larger companies want exposure to smaller ones.

2. It has a robust VC scene (though startups don't need much these days).

Chicago Ventures doesn't disclose its investments, but Larkins says he's seeing more Midwest startups receive minimal funding in the early stages, as opposed to raising big funding rounds.
A startup that launched in 2000 may have needed $10 million. Today, however, companies can get away with an investment as low as $500,000 and reach similar accomplishments, he says. Thanks to advancements in technology, tasks that would have been expensive a decade ago are much cheaper.
Increasingly, Chicago startups are turning to alternative financing models. Early stage funds, angel investors and crowd funding are now popular means of raising capital. "Traditional venture guys are migrating upstream to private equity, because these startups just don't need 5 or 10 million dollars," Tullman adds.
What's more, those larger venture funds can't afford to invest in small amounts, since they're trying to accrue their own capital.
Tullman encourages businesses at 1871 to focus more on creating a steady revenue stream instead of raising funding from a third party.


3. There's a bevy of tech talent.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign graduates hundreds of engineers and computer scientist each year, and ranks as having the sixth-best engineering program nationwide, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
The caveat, however, is the challenge of retaining the talents. Millennials are frequently lured away from Chicago by the promise of working in Silicon Valley and Silicon Alley. Many University of Illinois graduates move out of the state after graduation. The so-called "brain drain" is detrimental to the state's economy.
Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has been active in bringing in (and keeping) more tech talent. In 2012, he created the annual ThinkChicago: Lollapalooza competition. The event invites 125 elite tech and computer science students from universities nationwide to come and learn about the city's thriving business ecosystem and culture. In 2014, the Mayor launched the first-ever Chicago College Start Up competition, which gives 10 winning businesses free access to office space and mentorship.
The overall quality of life in Chicago may make up for its perceived sluggishness, at least compared to  New York City. A recent "Livability" report, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (E.I.U.), finds that Chicago ranks No. 33 for its stability, which is also the second-highest of any U.S. city.
Larkins, for his part, nods to the overall "ho, hum" attitude taken by Midwesterners. Windy though Chicago may be, there's little bluster. "We believe in karma and doing favors," he says.
While the cost of living in Chicago is significantly lower than The Big Apple, it's not exactly cheap. In a 2013 study from personal finance website NerdWallet, Chicago was ranked the 31st most-expensive city in America, with the median home price hovering at $436,871. Weather, too, may be more than just an anecdotal issue. A recent snowstorm accounted for at least 13 deaths in the metro area this year.
Still, if the sheer number of Chicago exits are any indication -- and coupled with this year's enviable Inc. 5000 data -- the city might just be an ideal place to launch your next venture (or two, or three).



Reporter, Inc.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation Work Together To Benefit Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Annual Quotes for Education Program Raises Up to $200,000 in Scholarship Funds for Current and Future HBCU Students
August 03, 2015: 09:00 AM ET

NORTHBROOK, Ill.Aug. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Allstate will donate up to $200,000 to the Tom Joyner Foundation as part of the company's Quotes for Education (QFE) program to support current and future generations of students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Between August 1 and November 30, 2015, Allstate will donate $10 per quote for every person who receives an insurance quote from a participating Allstate agent and mentions "Quotes for Education," or quotes online at www.allstate.com/HBCU.

Funds raised through the program will be given to the Tom Joyner Foundation and earmarked for general scholarship funds to assist students attending HBCUs. Additionally, for the fourth year, HBCU supporters will have the chance to cast their vote on www.allstate.com/HBCU for the HBCU of their choice to receive an additional $50,000 in scholarship funding from Allstate.
"HBCUs need support and funding now more than ever," said Cheryl Harris, senior vice president at Allstate and alumna of Florida A&M University. "Our hope is that the HBCU community will join Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation in supporting this program that will create educational opportunities for the next generation of HBCU students."

According to a 2014 study by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, half of the HBCUs surveyed have a black student graduation rate of 34 percent or lower within six years. Through the QFE program, Allstate and the Tom Joyner Foundation are challenging HBCU advocates to invest in the future of HBCUs across the country by giving back, honoring the distinct missions and legacies of their alma maters.

"With more than 100 institutions across the country, HBCUs have a heritage and history worth investing in and protecting," says Tom Joyner, a Tuskegee University alumnus and chairman and founder of the Tom Joyner Foundation. "During these trying economic times, the annual scholarship gives hope and helps these students continue to strive for academic success. HBCUs are part of my DNA and I'm so glad to share the love, pride and passion that I have for the HBCU community and investing in future generations of HBCU graduates."

In addition to its QFE partnership with the Tom Joyner Foundation, Allstate has been the title-sponsor of the Allstate Tom Joyner Family Reunion for the past 11 years. Both of these programs are part of Allstate's year round commitment to programs that empower the African American community.

To participate in the QFE program, visit allstate.com/HBCU to find a nearby participating agent, receive a quote online and for official rules.

About Allstate
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate,EsuranceEncompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In the 20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.

About The Tom Joyner Foundation
The Tom Joyner Foundation (http://tomjoynerfoundation.org) was founded in 1998 as the brainchild of nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner. The mission of the Foundation is to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, endowments and capacity-building enhancements. The Foundation has provided necessary support to every HBCU in its 18-year history to help sustain and preserve the legacies of these valuable institutions. Through fundraising and donor development initiatives, $65 million has been raised to support more than 29,000 students attending HBCUs. Additionally, the Foundation has recommended internships, offered matching grant support, and career development to deserving students.



SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company

Monday, August 24, 2015

Crop Circles Food Desert Campaign Enters Chicago

Crop Circles Food Desert Campaign Enters Chicago


CHICAGOAug. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tessemae's All Natural, in collaboration with Whole Foods Market® and Garden Highway will be hosting a majorpop-up farmers market called "Crop Circles."  Crop Circles will be serving free fresh produce to an estimated 2,500 local residents on Saturday, August 22nd, from 10am-3pm at TEAM Englewood Academy.  Other partners include, The Gardeneers, Chicago Eco House, Growing Home, and Growing Power.  There will be activities, live entertainment, and most importantly, educational workshops.
Crop Circles is a national campaign, designed to help elevate the national food desert predicament through solution-based ideas and bring meaningful change to those in need of healthy nutrition.
"Tessemae's All Natural is proud to have our Crop Circles campaign come to Chicago.  Mayor Emanuel has been committed to addressing the needs of residents in food desert neighborhoods in Chicago to access fresh produce. And we believe that our commitment of supporting health awareness initiatives and providing access to quality produce in food deserts compliments those efforts within the City of Chicago." -Greg Vetter, CEO. 
"Providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables for Chicago residents that live in food desert areas continues to be a priority for the City of Chicago and I am pleased that these organizations are stepping up to provide not only free food, but educational programming and cooking demonstrations to the Englewood community," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Over the last three years, Mayor Emanuel has opened eight new grocery stores in underserved areas and another five are planning to open soon, as well as expanded 18 existing stores to offer fresh produce. City-operated farmers markets have nearly doubled since 2011, with a 60 percent increase in the number of markets accepting SNAP. The City also created a new business license to allow the sale of fresh fruits and vegetables at free-standing produce stands throughout low-income areas of the city. Through these efforts, the number of low income Chicagoans living in food deserts has declined by 40 percent.
Local chefs originally from Englewood will head the educational workshops, which will demonstrate to residents how to cook simple meals using the produce provided.  The event will serve as an incredible happening for the people of Englewood, a resilient group who have strongly expressed their voices in improving the neighborhood.  
About Tessemae's All NaturalTessemae's All Natural is an organic condiment company that makes salad dressing and condiments with real, whole, source food ingredients.  The Vetter brothers, Greg, Brian, and Matt, launched the brand in 2009 at their local Whole Foods Market in Annapolis, Maryland, using a simple recipe created and used by their mom throughout their childhood.  Tessemae's commitment to healthy eating and living is the core of their mission, to provide simple, yet delicious food to consumers made with real ingredients.  Available in Whole Foods Market, Kroger, Safeway, The Fresh Market, and Earthfare retailers across the country, Tessemae's products are creating a new category in salad dressings and raising consumer awareness on the importance of consuming real, clean ingredients.  For more information please visit www.tessemaes.com.
About Garden HighwayGarden Highway is a family of talented people who share a passion for great food and a dedication to excellence. Their mission is to create simple, convenient, fresh products for today's consumer. At GH, they are living their vision of building a national, fresh perishable food company with production facilities strategically located across the country. Their products are regionally produced, made to order, and delivered "Just-in-Time" to your distribution centers.
About Whole Foods MarketFounded in 1980 in Austin, Texas, Whole Foods Market (wholefoodsmarket.com, NASDAQ:  WFM), is the leading natural and organic food retailer. As America's first national certified organic grocer, Whole Foods Market was named "America's Healthiest Grocery Store" by Health magazine. The company's motto, "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet"™ captures its mission to ensure customer satisfaction and health, Team Member excellence and happiness, enhanced shareholder value, community support and environmental improvement. Thanks to the company's more than 90,000 team members, Whole Foods Market has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America by FORTUNE magazine for 17 consecutive years. In fiscal year 2014, the company had sales of more than $14 billion and currently has more than 427 stores in the United StatesCanada and the United Kingdom.
SOURCE Tessemae’s All Natural

Monday, August 17, 2015

Valuable Upcoming Information Sessions From the US Small Business Administration


        SBA logo

        Disaster Aug 17-21

Webinar | What Small Businesses Need to Know About The Switch to Chip Card Technology

Wednesday, August 26, 20152:00 PM ET

Did you know that an important shift is occurring with card payment technology that might impact your business? Keeping up with the newest, most secure card payment technology is very important for small business owners. SBA has teamed up with Square to help small businesses navigate the upcoming transition from magnetic stripe to chip card technology.


Webinar | Affordable Care Act 101

SBA and Small Business Majority will host a free Affordable Care Act 101 webinar so small business owners can learn the basics of the Affordable Care Act and how they can enroll in health insurance marketplaces. 

Event | ChallengeHER, New Hampshire

Matchmaking opportunities for women in federal contracting, featuring Senator Jeanne Shaheen 

Tuesday, August 18, 2015Registration opens at 7:45am to 1:00pm

The ChallengeHER campaign leverages the resources of the SBA, WIPP, and American Express OPEN to connect women-owned businesses with decision makers and procurement officials at federal agencies and prime contractors to receive guidance on how best to sell their goods and services to them. This program is focused on the Woman Owned Small Business set aside program providing you with insight and tools on how to market to the government. 



Learning Center

Encore Entrepreneurs: An Introduction to Starting Your Own Business 

Do you know that your experience and wisdom can be a valuable asset as you begin your entrepreneurial journey? Find out how to leverage your assets to start a successful business. 
  • Develop your business idea 
  • Choose a business model 
  • Write a business plan 
  • Get access to expert help and counseling

Take Your High-Tech Product to Market

Your product or service is on the cutting edge of technology, a game changer. Now you need to find the best way to get your breakthrough to market. This course will introduce you to the product life cycle of high-tech products and help you find the best way to enter the market and sell your product or service. 
  • Identify the unique marketing characteristics of high-tech products 
  • Learn about the stages of the product life cycle 
  • Get an introduction to the Product Diffusion Curve 
  • See examples of high-tech product pricing, placement and promotion considerations

Conference Call | What You Need to Know About Exporting to Cuba

The Bureau of Industry (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has scheduled monthly call-in programs to field questions from the exporting community concerning the Cuba rule published on January 16, 2015. The calls are scheduled at 2 pm EDT on the following days: 
  • September 8
  • October 13
  • November 10 
  • December 8
Toll Free Number: 1-888-889-0538 Participant passcode: CUBA

  

Blog | 4 Strategies for Sharing Ownership with Employees

Business owners may have sound reasons for giving shares to their employees. It incentivizes staff to be loyal and productive and it can translate into financial rewards for the owner. Tax rules make transfers of stock complicated for corporations and employees. Here are four ways to get stock into the hands of employees, and what these strategies mean for you, the owner, your company, and your staff.


Blog | Celebrating International Youth Day: 3 Ways to Get Involved With Local Youth

Since 2000, the United Nations has used International Youth Day to draw attention to youth issues worldwide. This year the theme is Youth Civic Engagement. Young people will share their stories, swap ideas, and participate in events on civic engagement activities. They are future business owners, partners, and customers.


Blog | Nimble and Inclusive Capital Formation Paths – Two JOBS Act Conversations in NYC

In September 2014, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and SBA announced a partnership to host joint events to educate and interact with small businesses and entrepreneurs. The topics of those discussions involved new options that have and will become available to them to raise capital under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (“JOBS”) Act. 


Blog | 5 Ways to Improve Your Business Credit Scores

Having strong business credit scores and ratings are key to getting approved for trade credit and financing for your company. In the same way that personal credit scores serves as a financial report card, your business credit scores grade the creditworthiness of your business.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Chicago Urban League and Blue1647

Join us for #TechAroundTown3.  Register for our fall classes 


About the Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center
 
The Chicago Urban League Entrepreneurship Center was founded in 2007 to
assist African American and other minorities in launching, growing and sustaining
through classroom instruction, one-on-one technical assistance, and access to
business opportunities and procurement. The Center focuses on business
 development and supplier diversity, providing entrepreneurs in the greater
Chicago area with the tools necessary to reach business investment goals,
driving economic development through revenue growth, community income
recirculation, job creation and innovation.


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Press Release: Reducing Violence in Chicago with Technology

   
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Press Announcement
Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Philip Fairweather
President and CEO
Invention Intention 3rd Dimension
3D Printing & International Business Strategies
Chicago ~ India ~ Los Angeles


 Invention Intention 3rd Dimension: Reducing Violence in Chicago with Technology

"Let's not just imagine high school students from Chicago's west and south sides working on 3D printers, let's teach them how to build them, NOW."
-- Philip Fairweather, President and CEO, Invention Intention 3rd Dimension


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Chicago, Illinois -- Making the Internet of Things (IoT), cutting-edge technological design tools of the future available in every high school serving low-income communities in Chicago--is a game changer. Invention Intention 3rd Dimension (ii3D) proposes the introduction of 3D Printing concepts into the classrooms of targeted urban areas, thereby, changing the educational and financial landscape of those communities.

By getting on the front end of an emerging technology, participants can be a factor in driving the entrepreneurial and workforce opportunities, in their communities. Instead of chasing a train that has already left the station, we are proposing replacing counterproductive behavior with the chance to be involved with creative technological development. It's been shown that the utilization of 3D Printing Technology will reduce violence in underserved communities by providing economic alternatives to recidivism and by increasing the technical job skills of the residents in those areas.

Heading up this project is Philip Fairweather, a lifelong entrepreneur and the successful patented inventor of a sports training product that builds speed, endurance and vertical jump height. He has also counseled over 800 businesses and has been instrumental in training over 400 start-ups.
Under his direction, the proposed initiative will by December 2015 have taken the first steps toward steamrolling this vision into a fully-developed 3D maker lab ready for introduction to recruited schools and non-profit organizations.

The program template calls for building active partnerships with representatives from schools and non-profits and teaching each of them to assemble 3D printers. Upon completion, each organization will then inherit the printer. Invention Intention 3rd Dimension obligations don't end there, but continues until they've completed a functioning maker lab and have begun developing their own STEM programs.

High-risk youth ages 16 and up will go through a training and qualification process in order to obtain practical skills in design, advanced manufacturing and entrepreneurship. This will also include developing anatomical models to learn anatomy and biomechanics, as well as, biological models to enhance their studies of plant life and animals. One of the major goals of this program is for members to learn to how proto-type their own ideas, and support the local manufacturing base in and around Chicago.

Additionally, the current partnership with The Chicago Chapter of the American Legion will allow the program to tap into the talents and entrepreneurial spirit of chapter's veterans and provide students with additional life skill sets that can help them achieve self-sufficiency.

Currently in conjunction with The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign's Maker Lab and Market Place Literacy Program, Mr. Fairweather is helping to develop what will be an accredited Maker Literacy Curriculum. This will allow students, either in school or after school, to acquire college credits and begin developing skill sets in advanced manufacturing, invention and entrepreneurship. In tandem, He is currently in discussions with Northern Illinois University's Engineering Department to develop a scholarship pipeline for students who complete the program.
Invention Intention 3rd Dimension has launched at Kickstarter.com and is the offshoot of another project in which the participants are currently learning on low-end Makerbot 3D Printers.

The initial capital investment requirement is about $40K. This is the minimum amount required to upgrade to multi-material printers. Acquiring these printers will allow for the production of higher quality products and for the setup of prototypes in several schools. II3D is attempting to acquire funding from people, who truly believe in their goals and understand the power of this evolving technology.

If you can envision 3D Maker Lab in EVERY high school in the most under served high schools in Chicago, then, they want and need you on their team. If you don't do it, who will?

This won't happen without you!!! Ask yourself, can any of us truly afford to lose another generation to violence? YOU are the game changer, so, let's make this happen.

Find out more and support this initiative at:
www.kickstarter.com/InventionIntention3rdDimension

29 Companies to Kick Off the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative in Chicago

 

Fueled by Additional Member Companies and More than 40 Local Chicago Community Organizations, the Three-Year Commitment to Hiring 100,000 Opportunity Youth Begins on Aug. 13 in Chicago, and Will Serve as the Model for Future Cities of Impact

Chicago (August 4, 2015) – The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, a national coalition of leading U.S.-based companies committed to hiring at least 100,000 Opportunity Youth by 2018, today welcomed additional partners – including Chipotle Mexican Grill, Domino’s, FedEx, Hyatt, Mars, Nordstrom, Pizza Hut, Prudential, Red Robin, Sweetgreen, and T-Mobile – to the collective effort to form the nation’s largest employer-led coalition committed to creating pathways to meaningful employment for America’s young people. 
“Through this unprecedented partnership with the private and public sector, we will further accelerate our collective hiring efforts over the next three years,” said Blair Taylor, Starbucks chief community officer. “Chicago represents an important city for this launch. While there are more than 200,000 Opportunity Youth in Chicago alone, there is also an incredibly vibrant system of civic leaders, nonprofit organizations, businesses and elected officials who share a commitment to bridging this opportunity divide. And, I am confident that our collective impact in Chicago will serve as the blueprint for communities across the country for years to come.”
The national initiative, which now includes 29 companies spanning a number of various industries, is committed to collectively hiring and engaging at least 100,000 Opportunity Youth – 16- to 24-year-olds who face systemic barriers to jobs and education – by 2018 through apprenticeships, internships, training programs, and both part-time and full-time jobs. The coalition will work with community-based organizations and civic leaders to help deliver the local skills training and hiring opportunities young people need, ensuring that this truly cross-sector effort is sustained in the long-term.   
For more than ten years, Sheri Schultz, cofounder of the Schultz Family Foundation, which is a key supporter of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, has been working with community-based organizations to develop job training programs for youth and young adults.  “Like all of us, these young people need clear pathways to employment so they can acquire the skills and support to be work ready,” said Schultz. “We know that this is a complex issue and we need all of our collective horsepower to solve it. For too long, it’s been the nonprofit and public sectors tackling this issue, without meaningful involvement from the private sector. Closing the opportunity divide requires bold leadership and innovation across all sectors.”

Chicago Opportunity Fair & Forum

The official launch of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative will take place on Thursday, Aug. 13 in Chicago, where the participating companies, in collaboration with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and community-based organizations, expect to collectively engage at least 3,000 pre-registered youth and anticipate making hundreds of on-the-spot job offers, delivering immediate impact for their businesses, the Chicago community and many participating candidates. This ticketed event will begin with an Opportunity Fair, which will feature informative, inspirational and interactive experiences for youth including workshops, on-the-spot mentoring and feedback, college counseling, skills development, and entertaining events and activities. This will spur long-term engagement, which will help participating companies hire thousands of youth in the Chicago area over the next 18 months. This is expected to deliver an unprecedented impact to the young people and businesses in Chicago.
“A job is the first step for many toward a responsible life, and we are energized by the commitment of these companies to engage and hire so many young people in our region who are looking to take this significant step,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I commend the companies who are participating in this initiative, as our young people represent an unrealized pipeline of talent and an engine of economic growth for our communities.”
“Bringing this first hiring fair to Chicago will have an impact on both the businesses and the young people that they will hire for years to come, supporting growth in the City’s economy and creating more opportunities for our residents,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Chicago will have the chance to showcase its talented workforce to the participating companies and further increase the potential of our residents to secure lasting employment.”
Following the Opportunity Fair, an inspirational Opportunity Forum will be hosted by Academy and Grammy® Award winning performing artist Common, who will lead an open discussion with more than 3,000 young people and their support networks focused on economic opportunity in America. Joining Common on stage will be special guests, local “heroes,” young people, entertainers and speakers. The event is a ticketed event for pre-registered young people and their support networks. 
The following member companies have joined the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, and many will be represented at the first Opportunity Fair & Forum in Chicago:
Alaska Airlines, Chipotle, Cintas, CVS Health, Domino’s, FedEx, Hilton Worldwide, HMSHost, Hyatt, JCPenney, JP Morgan Chase, Lyft, Macy’s, Mars, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Pizza Hut, Porch.com, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Prudential, Red Robin, Starbucks, Sweetgreen, Taco Bell, Target, Teavana, T-Mobile, Walgreens and Walmart.
More than 40 community based organizations, government agencies, and other organizations have joined together to participate in the Chicago Opportunity Fair & Forum with the objective of connecting Opportunity Youth to services, workshops, and employment opportunities. 
Highlights include:
Twelve different organizations will host workshops on rotating topics, including the Chicago Urban League who will help young people craft a great resume and provide tips for how to make an application stand out when applying online and College Advising Corps, who will advise young people on how to choose a college pathway that is right for them and how to finance their college choice.  
More than 10 workforce development and youth support agencies, including Youth Guidance, Goodwill, YearUp, and Employment & Employer Services, will be available for youth to get connected to support, training, and job placement services. Attendees will also be able to connect to national service opportunities through organizations, including Public Allies and City Year, that will be recruiting youth to join paid programs where they can build skills while giving back to their communities and schools.
LinkedIn will be onsite to help attendees create and improve their LinkedIn profiles and provide tips for building their online professional networks.
Youth will have also have opportunities through Get Schooled, Road Trip Nation, and the Young Chicago Authors to find new and creative ways to express themselves.
Participants will also be able to get reconnected to the Chicago Public School system through the SOAR program, access crucial personal documentation through the Secretary of State, and even discover all the resources available through the Chicago Public Library.  
The following is the complete list of community-based organizations, government services, and other organizations that will have a presence at the fair, in addition to the more than 200 agencies helping to recruit youth to attend the event and interview for jobs:  
All-Stars Project, Arizona State University, Beyond Z, Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Business and Career Services, Inc., Chicago City of Learning, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Chicago Public Libraries, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Urban League, Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, City Colleges of Chicago, City Year, College Advising Corps, College Greenlight, Department of Family & Support Services, Economic Awareness Council, Employment & Employer Services, Get Schooled, Goodwill, Illinois Mentoring Network, Indigo, La Casa Norte, LeadersUp, LinkedIn, Metropolitan Family Services, National Council of Young Leaders/Opportunity Youth United, One Goal, One Million Degrees, One Summer Chicago, Public Allies, Road Trip Nation, Secretary of State, Central States SER, Service Nation, Teach for America, Thrive Chicago, UIC, Year Up, Young Chicago Authors, Youth Guidance, YouthBuild USA.
Funders participating in the initiative include:
Accenture (in kind), Domino’s, FedEx, Joyce Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Prudential, The Rockefeller Foundation, Schultz Family Foundation, Starbucks, Walmart Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Leadership and Commitment to Hiring Opportunity Youth

The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions will act as an intermediary for the initiative in the hiring cities, building upon the existing work of its national Opportunity Youth Incentive Fund (OYIF). The OYIF currently supports collaborative efforts focused on Opportunity Youth in 21 communities around the country. The Aspen Institute will provide direct leadership, technical assistance, and programmatic support to launch the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative in Chicago and future cities.
Chipotle: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
Chipotle provides extraordinary advancement opportunities and industry leading benefits for its employees. Currently, more than 95 percent of Chipotle’s managers come from within the ranks of its crew, and the company recently expanded its benefit programs to include paid sick days and vacation days, as well as tuition reimbursement for hourly crew.  With more than 75 percent of its workforce aged 16-24, Chipotle offers a career path that is ideal for young, ambitious people entering the workforce. The company's people culture is built around identifying top performers, empowering them to achieve high standards, and developing them to become the company’s future leaders. With more than 1,850 restaurants, 60,000 employees and 2,100 open positions, Chipotle is always looking for additional top performing individuals to join its team.
Domino’s: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
At Domino’s, 90% of our franchisees started in delivery driver or in-store positions. They turned their first job into an amazing career as business owners. Our franchisees and corporate store leaders are committed to serving neighborhoods all around the country. Domino’s is a brand of opportunity, and as we continue our growth trajectory, we can fill thousands of jobs throughout the country in our company-owned and franchised stores this year alone. Many of these positions will be filled by young people looking for an entry-point into the workforce.
FedEx: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
FedEx believes that access to new markets, knowledge and opportunities makes people’s lives better. We know that connections foster prosperity, and to maintain progress toward a better world, we must not only create Access for today’s thinkers, leaders and entrepreneurs, but for the next generation as well. Our commitment to education is focused on innovative solutions that help close the achievement gap and create and teach Access. Together with some of the top nonprofit organizations across the country, we are supporting tomorrow’s diverse young leaders to gain the skills and experience they need to succeed.  
Hyatt: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
Hyatt, a leading global hospitality company with more than 97,000 colleagues worldwide, has a deep global commitment to caring for people to be their best. A key component of the company’s corporate responsibility program, Hyatt Thrive, focuses on programs that equip disadvantaged people and youth to reach their full potential. Across the U.S. and in places around the world such as Amman, Bangkok, Istanbul, São Paulo, Mumbai and Delhi, Hyatt hotels have long partnered with organizations such as Youth Career Initiative and Hands on Education to provide skills training and expanded career choices. This year, Hyatt also announced plans to develop a new, multi-year partnership with Khan Academy, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing free access to world-class education online.
Nordstrom: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
Nordstrom continues to evolve the ways it serves customers at its stores (at Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack, Jeffrey, and Trunk Club clubhouses) and online (at Nordstrom.com, Nordstromrack.com, HauteLook.com, and TrunkClub.com). The company recognizes that connecting with young people – the next generation of customers and retail talent – is the best way to ensure long-term support of this growth. To make these connections, Nordstrom has created strong relationships with universities around the country where company leaders participate in round table conversations, job shadows and cooperative education projects. Additionally, each year the company provides thousands of job and educational opportunities through its own internship program and community partners such as YearUp, Rainier Scholars, the LaGrant Foundation and Out For Work. Nordstrom is committed to giving back by providing contributions to organizations that empower youth such as the Boys & Girls Club, Girls Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters, Junior Achievement and Black Retail Action Group (BRAG). The company also awards 80 Nordstrom Scholarships each year to outstanding high school students who are ready to pursue their college education. 
Pizza Hut: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
Pizza Hut is the world’s largest pizza company and has a long-standing commitment to the betterment of young people through education and opportunity. Through the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! youth literacy program, which started in 1984 and is now the longest-running corporate supported literacy program in the country, Pizza Hut provides more than 14 million students each year with materials and messages about the positive impact a love for reading can have on their future. In addition, Pizza Hut – which employees more than 150,000 people a year in the U.S. alone – champions a culture of unlocking potential, demonstrated by the number of above restaurant leaders who began with the company as team members and shift managers. Pizza Hut is committed to continuing to motivate and provide opportunity for young people to be introduced to a rewarding career in the restaurant industry. 
Red Robin: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. (NASDAQ: RRGB) has been the Gourmet Burger Authority since 1969. The casual dining restaurant chain embodies its unique culture of learning, development and recognition, which also serves as the foundation for how it treats its Team Members. With more than 13,000 hourly Team Members between the ages of 18-25, Red Robin is proud to support the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative at the Opportunity Fair & Forum in Chicago, on Aug. 13. As part of its commitment to youth, Red Robin offers meaningful career opportunities, on the job training and life-long skills. Red Robin is a support network that cares about its Team Members both personally and professionally, and regardless of where their careers take them, many find they are Better for Being Here. 
T-Mobile: Commitment to Opportunity Youth
As America's Un-carrier, T-Mobile is changing wireless for the better.  We bring that same Un-carrier approach to how we support and engage America’s youth as a critical part of our award-winning workforce.  We are committed to building career pathways for youth in communities across the country, providing them with a wealth of skills, training, and experiences to be successful in the mobile world and beyond. The “mobile-first generation” is critical to T-Mobile and we are proud to participate in the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to build the future -- together.  

Leaders Quotes

“We believe that our success is the direct result of our incredibly strong people culture, which is rooted in having teams of all top performers, and developing them to be the leaders we will need to accommodate our growth,” said Monty Moran, co-chief executive officer at Chipotle Mexican Grill. “The nature of opportunities we provide are ideal for young people entering the workforce. Regardless of your background or experience, you can succeed at Chipotle if you have a passion for making the people around you better. Working here isn’t just a job, but a career where employees learn how to make others better, run a successful business, master culinary techniques, and most importantly, lead teams of top performers through empowerment. For people who embrace that culture, the opportunities are tremendous.” 
"At The Partnership, we’re excited to extend our support for 100,000 Opportunities Initiative,” said Karin M. Norington-Reaves, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership Chief Executive Officer. “We believe that this initiative will provide youth with the experience, skills and inspiration they need to achieve employment and fulfilling careers."
“The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative can provide a pathway for young people to succeed in many of the neighborhoods our brand serves, through employment in company-owned and franchised stores that offers basic job skills, operations, and management training programs, and exposure to an enthusiastic global brand,” said Domino’s CEO Patrick Doyle. “We are proud to team up with other iconic brands in this initiative to build the next generation of skilled team members and business owners.”
"At Hyatt, caring for people to be their best is how we make a difference in the world – in our hotels and in our communities,” said Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation. “A critical part of this is providing young people opportunities to reach their full potential. We are delighted to join forces in the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, and are optimistic about the positive impact we can make - starting in our hometown of Chicago.”
"LeadersUp is proud to support the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative. Our work with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership in helping to prepare young adults with the skills employers are seeking will strengthen the talent-pipeline between local companies and Chicago’s opportunity youth,” said Jeffrey Wallace, President of LeadersUp. “The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative illustrates the significant impact public-private partnerships can make in addressing the youth unemployment and the talent-divide challenge, and is a shift in the right direction towards creating a more inclusive economy."
“Pizza Hut is dedicated to helping people unlock life’s potential,” said David Gibbs, CEO, of Pizza Hut, Inc. “As the leader of the pizza category, we felt it was our responsibility, and privilege, to join the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative to help provide young people with the tools and know-how to get job ready.”
“Red Robin is excited to be part of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative and work alongside many of America’s most influential companies, helping to guide thousands of young people across the country to start their careers,” said Denny Marie Post, Red Robin’s executive vice president and chief concept officer. “Our brand creates special moments in the lives of guests and Team Members alike. We seek to build Team Members skills and focus during their time with Red Robin, and even beyond. Red Robin Team Members know they have a great support network and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals. We look for Team Members who embody the Red Robin spirit of genuine service and provide them with the leadership skills necessary to grow successful careers.”
“By working to align efforts of service providers, city agencies, the K-12 system, institutions of higher education, foundations, and others, we at Thrive Chicago are able to help young people succeed,” said Jennifer Keeling, director of Thrive Chicago. “In partnership with the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative and these industry-leading companies who are hiring qualified candidates, we are able to connect hundreds of local Opportunity Youth with jobs.”
"Investing time in America's youth is a perfect match for T-Mobile,” said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. “So many kids out there have to fight huge odds to compete, to get ahead and to win – just like we do. What could be better than bringing some of that talent and ambition to the Un-carrier?"

For more leader quotes from members of the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative, including Alaska Airlines, Cintas, CVS Health, Hilton Worldwide, HMSHost, JCPenney, JPMorgan Chase, Lyft, Macy’s, Microsoft, Porch.com, Potbelly Sandwich Shop, Starbucks, Taco Bell, Target, Teavana, Walgreens and Walmart,  visit: www.100kOpportunities.org
Media interested in attending the event must pre-register for credentials by contacting media@100kOpportunities.org.  

About the 100,000 Opportunities Initiative

The 100,000 Opportunities Initiative has the goal of creating the nation’s largest employer-led private sector coalition committed to creating pathways to employment for young people. Companies engaged in the coalition will help to launch careers for young people that are just entering the workforce, including internships, apprenticeships and on the job training, in addition to developing potential in youth that have some work experience but are looking to gain new skills that lead to a successful career.  For more information, please visit www.100kOpportunities.org.