World Business Chicago

We are proud to introduce the third cohort of World Business Chicago’s Seed Founder Program!  These visionary women and non-binary entrepreneurs are reshaping industries and driving innovation across Chicago’s tech and entrepreneurial landscape. From smart composting systems to AI-powered mortgage platforms, these founders are leading the charge in creating a more inclusive, dynamic future. Did you know? Chicago leads the way with 36.5% of venture-backed companies having at least one woman-founder and 24.4% with founders of color. Meet the founders, learn about their groundbreaking ventures, and join us in celebrating gender equity in entrepreneurship! To learn more, connect with Elle Ramel or Arantxa Valverde.

On behalf of all of us here at World Business Chicago, please join us in welcoming Carla Agostinelli to the team! Carla is an experienced leader who's dedicated her career to community and economic development across Chicago, and we could not be happier to have her on board as our Director of Economic Development! Welcome, Carla!

The Chicago Marathon is right around the corner! The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is more than just a race - it's a celebration of resilience, community, and the power of determination. Runners from all walks of life come together to conquer 26.2 miles, cheered on by the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago, creating an electric, city-wide bond. For participants, it's a life-changing journey of personal triumph, and for the city, it showcases Chicago's vibrant spirit, fostering unity and pride while supporting charitable causes that uplift communities. For more on viewership, course map, and general race information, visit chicagomarathon.com

Today, in partnership with the Chicago Sports Commission, we are pleased to announce that the 2024 NASCAR Chicago Street Race Weekend generated $128 million in economic impact (17% more than last year) and $43.6 million in media impact (85% higher than last year). Some other notable top-line numbers from this year’s race: • 53,063 unique attendees took part in this year’s festivities, up from 47,405 last year, thanks in part to the introduction of single-day tickets. • Over 11% of attendees said it was their first time in Chicago – more than twice as many as last year. • The event generated 38,095 hotel room nights, up 29% from 2023. • 80% of 2024 non-local attendees would recommend Chicago as a travel destination. Thank you to the Sports Industry Research Center at Temple University's School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management for leading the creation of these rigorous reports. Thanks to all our partners whose hard work contributed to the dramatic growth of this event in its second year. Read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/gXidJh49 Read the full reports here: https://lnkd.in/gVpeeK6x 

Today is National Manufacturing Day and October is National Manufacturing Month. In that spirit, check out the below video of a local manufacturer. Chicago and Cook County have a rich manufacturing tradition, and we are proud to honor the incredible companies that are positioning us for the next generation of innovation and industry. Small and mid-sized manufacturers make up 99% of the industry. These locally owned businesses, rooted in our neighborhoods, have always been the backbone of manufacturing. Their resilience, creativity, and dedication will continue to shape the future of our economy and communities. #NationalManufacturingDay #ChicagoEconomicDevelopment

Today is National Manufacturing Day, and we’re excited to kick off a special video series celebrating Chicago’s leaders in manufacturing - starting with KOVAL Distillery! These incredible companies, recently honored by the City of Chicago’s Chicago Department of Planning and Development and World Business Chicago, are true examples of resilience, innovation, and tenacity. Their stories showcase why Chicago continues to lead the nation in manufacturing excellence. Starting today, we’ll be releasing a new Manufacturing Leader video every Wednesday and Friday throughout October in honor of National Manufacturing Month. Join us in celebrating these homegrown success stories as they inspire the next generation of manufacturers! #WhyChicago #ChicagoInnovation #ChicagoManufacturing

Looking for innovative work with good wages and long-term growth? With an average salary of $90k in Cook County, manufacturing careers help our community thrive. Explore opportunities to grow this #MFGDay24. Learn more about how we are supporting manufacturing through Good Jobs Chicagoland, visit goodjobschicagoland.com #CreatorsWanted

President & CEO of World Business Chicago, Phil Clement recently joined a gathering of top executives hosted by Bank of America at their impressive Bank of America Tower. Led by Rita Sola Cook, President of Bank of America Chicago, the event brought together leaders from across the city for meaningful discussions on the future of Chicago’s economic growth. We are grateful to have Bank of America as a valued business and civic leadership partner. During his remarks, Phil highlighted the importance of collaboration among Chicago's business leaders to drive inclusive growth and innovation. He also shared how World Business Chicago’s board, representing over $5.4 trillion in market cap and $1.5 trillion in annual revenue, plays a key role in positioning Chicago as a global business hub with a diverse economy and booming fintech sector—reasons why the city continues to attract businesses and investors from around the world. The event was also an opportunity to hear from Carey Pinkowski, Race Director of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, about the incredible impact the annual race has on the city. The 2023 race generated a record-breaking $547 million for the Chicagoland region—a 42% increase from the $386 million impact in 2022, according to a recent independent economic impact study.

🚀 Get ready! The Founder Pitch Showcase is hitting the stage on 10.17.24! Join 1871 and World Business Chicago from 2:00 - 4:00 PM CST for a hybrid event you won’t want to miss. 🌟 Watch top startups pitch to investors and show off the booming Midwest tech scene! Meet VCs and investors from across the country who are ready to fuel the next big thing. Be part of the future of innovation—RSVP now! 💡 https://lu.ma/5wexdb5v #Founder #PitchShowcase #WBC #1871Chicago 

#LetsBuildChicago