West Side Business Xcelerator

The West Side Business Xcelerator (WSBX) is designed to support high growth potential businesses. Funded in part by the City of Chicago Neighborhood Business Development Center, this program is designed to provide more customized support than what businesses receive through the Business Start-Up Training Program.

Specifically designed for owners or management teams with a vision for growing the company significantly, as well as background and experience in managing growth, each participating company will go through three weeks of assessments and five weeks of developing a growth plan around a specific market opportunity. Each business owner will be partnered with a team of advisors have the potential to receive gap loans to help them get over a hurdle and qualify for larger traditionally funded loans.

To participate in WSBX, applicants must meet a specific set of criteria. The criteria outlined below is the starting point for screening, but Bethel reserves the right to adjust these criteria as we determine the demand and capacity of participants to meet these criteria. Eligibility criteria for WSBX is as follows:

• Applicants must be actively operating a business on the West Side of Chicago or have specific plans to relocate their business location within one of the designated communities of Austin, Humboldt Park, West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, and South Lawndale (or) one of these ten zip codes: 60608, 60612, 60622, 60623, 60624, 60639, 60644, 60647, 60651, and 60707. Secondary consideration may be given to Chicago west side residents and businesses  operating in other nearby geographic locations.
• Business must be generating minimum annual sales of $25,000 within a 12 month period. Proof of sales will be required.
• Business must be legal incorporated. Proof of legal structure will required.
• Preferred consideration will be given to graduates of Bethel's Business Start-Up Training (formerly Entrepreneurship Training Program)
• Business owner must have a credit check with a score of 500 or better.
• Proof of current residence or business address 

• Applications are accepted electronically by referral or recommendation only.
• Business Case presentation (5-7 minute presentation)

Applicants are required to present their business in 5-7 minute presentation for our Make Your Case panels. During the presentation you will be expected to present yourself and your business, performance history, market for growth opportunities and explain how your participation in the WSBX will help your business reach that next level.

• 5 weeks of instructor facilitated sessions on CEO skill building, market intelligence, operations management systems and capital sourcing. Sessions held weekly TEC4950 location at 4950 W. Thomas.
• 3 weeks post session of intensive individualized mentoring  and coaching to customized business growth strategies.
• Participants are required to develop executable growth strategy at the conclusion of total 8 week session.
• Participants are expect to be fully engaged in all sessions and program requirements.
• Guest subject matter experts lean strategies, crowdfunding, licensing, insurance and technology.
• Full access to counseling, workshops and resources offered through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Bethel New Life.
• Personal coaching from SBDC staff and others on business plan, strategy and design.
• Opportunity to apply for $10,000 - $30,000 CIBC micro-loan specifically for the Bethel entrepreneurship program participants graduates.
• Invitation to participate in entrepreneur association for quarterly networking and exclusive opportunities offered by our partners.