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Tech Start-Up Training
Training, Technical Assistance & Equipment Access for Entrepreneurs in Tech & Manufacturing
The Business Innovation Technology (BIT) program assists founders in LMI markets in exploring innovative ideas to incorporate manufacturing and technology into their businesses.
Through guided in-person classes, virtual sessions, and intensive individualized coaching participants are supported through every stage of concept execution from ideation to product launch.
Graduates of BIT become members of an alumni network granting free access to a plethora of ongoing support and resources.
Manufacturing Excellence Cohort
Spring 2024 Session
West Side Forward is excited to announce the kickoff of the 2nd Manufacturing Excellence Cohort (MEC) in partnership with mHUB.
MEC is a specially curated program designed to support entrepreneurs operating in underresourced communities to develop and launch prototypes for hardtech. Over 6 months the cohort will be immersed in Chicago's world-class innovation ecosystem to support these scale-ready businesses by providing more than $10,000 in cash, products, and services.
Training Opportunities
Technology Entrepreneurship Cohort - TEC
3-month cohort program to support the creation of application-based businesses.
Virtually leveraging a combination of a self-paced digital curriculum, real-time SME guest speakers, and experiential engagement opportunities this program supports aspiring tech entrepreneurs in app development and go-to-market strategies.
Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Cohort - MEC
6-month cohort program to support existing scale-ready businesses to launch a hard tech.
Immersive experience includes mentorship, personal development, CEO financial education, entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, founder stipends, and aid to obtain the business license requirements for operation in the state of the Illinois/City of Chicago.
Technology Innovation - TI
Introductory workshops and technical assistance for individuals exploring enhanced technology applications in their business models.
Grow Your Business with Hard Tech!
MEC is a 6-month opportunity for small business owners on the west side of Chicago to receive more than $10,000 in cash, products, and services.
JOIN THE MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR COHORT
Grow your business to the next level with a hard tech product the market has been yearning for. The Manufacturing Entrepreneurship Cohort (MEC) is the ideal opportunity to leverage your existing profitable business with the adoption of a hard tech component.
MEC is a 6-month cohort program to support scale-ready businesses by providing more than $10,000 in cash, products, and services to support the scale!
Through 6 months of guided in-person classes, self-study sessions, industry events, and intensive 1 on 1 counseling, founders are able to develop and launch prototypes for their scale-ready businesses. Founders in MEC will have ongoing to mHUB, WSF Tech lab, and a team of business advisors, engineers, and mentors to scale their business.
Graduates of BIT become members of an alumni network granting free access to a plethora of ongoing support and resources.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The cohort typically meets on a hybrid model with live sessions typically held on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
To apply candidates must:
- Be a permanent resident of Illinois, a resident of the west side of Chicago
- Complete online application
- Complete an admissions interview
SELECTION PROCESS
Upon review of the application, candidates that are not ready to engage in a MEC cohort are strongly encouraged to participate in TI and BST programming for mastery of business fundamentals, and exposure to technology tools to aid in the development and growth of business models at every stage.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Upon acceptance into the program, each applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Attend program orientation
- Attend a minimum of 3 MEC/mHUB events
- Must complete a minimum of 95% of all assignments
- Must participate in at least two pitch events in Chicago
- Must be able to commit to at least 100 hours of participation (training, counseling, and related preparation)
- 14 hours of classroom training (seven 2-hour class sessions every other Wednesday evening)
- Complete a minimum of 12 hours of individual counseling sessions (1 hour bi-weekly)
- Develop and execute a launch plan
- Develop a prototype of hard tech product
MEC BENEFITS
MEC grants you access to many benefits including:
- $5,000 cash Founder stipend
- Specifically, curated business curriculum for microbusiness owners to navigate the varied stages of business ownership and product development.
- Complimentary 6-month membership to mHUB
- Access to mHUB's prototyping shop with more than $6M in prototyping equipment and technical staff onsite.
- Inclusion in a robust community of over 1,057 engineers, developers, manufacturers, mentors, and entrepreneurs.
- Personalized connections to industry & venture capital to support the successful launch of your hard tech
- Direct connections to local manufacturers and suppliers in the Midwest and nationally
SIGN-UP FOR BIT PROGRAM NOTIFICATIONS
Tech Start-Up Training
Training to launch your app or invention into a tech company
The application cycle is currently closed
Through the Business Innovation and Technology Program, Tech Start-Up, is a 13-week training cohort for technology-oriented entrepreneurs to work alongside industry experts, access capital sources, exclusive networking opportunities and a plethora of collaborative resources within Chicago’s tech ecosystem.
Through 7 guided in-person classes and intensive 1 on 1 counseling during the weeks, class does not meet, inventors are able to move designs through the product development cycle while developing go-to-market strategies to build sustainable business models. Participants also have ongoing access to maker labs for hands-on workshops in 3D printing, app development, big data and other topics, and skillsets that prepare entrepreneurs to participate in the 21st-century tech economy.
Graduates of BIT become members of an alumni network granting free access to a plethora of ongoing support and resources.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Cohort typically meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
To apply candidates must:
- Be a permanent resident of Illinois
- Complete online application
- Attend mandatory information session
- Submit written concept submission including target market, price point, value proposition, stage of development, and analysis of competition and funding needed within 5 days of your application.
- Complete an admissions interview
SELECTION PROCESS
Upon review of application, candidates that are not ready for engage in a BIT cohort and may be referred for consideration to the Business Start-Up Training Program for mastery of business fundamentals and then join BIT when they have a deeper understanding of these principles. In rare cases applicants will be allowed to participate in the BIT program simultaneously with the Business Start-Up Training program.
Applicants that live or operate a business on the West Side of Chicago will given priority consideration. The overall quality of the business and leadership capability will be heavily weighted. Candidates will be evaluated and selected during the Shark BITE presentation portion of the application process. A panel of judges with expertise in various areas of business, will evaluate applicant’s presentations to select the next cohort of the BIT program. Each candidate is evaluated on their presentation, understanding of their competition and marketplace, complexity of their product as it relates to our network and ability to help them, business acumen, background, experience and commitment to follow through.
Each candidate who applies to the program enters in one of the five following buckets. The objective of the program is to move each student through each bucket successfully until their product is brought to market.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Upon acceptance into the program each applicant must meet the following criteria:
- Work with the instructor to develop and execute a 90 day action plan
- Attend a minimum of 5 of 7 sessions and workshops held bi-weekly for 3 months.
- Must complete a minimum of 75% of all tasks developed in the 90 day action plan
- Must complete a revenue model, break-even point and budget for tech development, launch and sustainability.
- Must participate in at least one pitch event in Chicago outside of BIT program.
- Must be able to commit to least 50 hours of participation (training, counseling, and related preparation) as outlined below over a 90 day period
- 14 hours of classroom training (seven 2-hour class sessions every other Wednesday evening)
- Minimum of 6 hours of individual counseling sessions (one hour per week during the weeks class does not meet)
POST COMPLETION SUPPORT
Upon program completion, students become members of West Side Forward's alumni network entering into a larger entrepreneurial tech network. Students have lifetime access to West Side Forward resources, workshops and counseling as long as their membership is in good standing. Membership can fall out of good standing for any one of the following reasons:
- Failure to adhere to maker space usage policies and guidelines.
- Theft of materials or property
- Failure to participate in Bethel events, workshops or free activities for more than 2 years
- No show at two or more scheduled appointments within 12 month period
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