Chicago’s vibrant economy remains the anchor of the American heartland, generating nearly $1 trillion in annual economic activity. Home to an incredible array of businesses that are uniquely positioned for growth and scale in the coming years, our city is poised to take on an even greater role in driving our country forward. The Civic Committee’s commitment to harnessing the full power of the business community to drive regional economic growth inspired the creation of the Chicago Business Opportunity Initiative. Our work focuses on supporting both business growth and building and bolstering a thriving business ecosystem through cultivating a broad stakeholder network.
Why We’re Involved
The Civic Committee’s commitment to harnessing the full power of the business community to drive regional economic growth inspired the creation of the Chicago Business Opportunity Initiative. Our work focuses on supporting both business growth and building and bolstering a thriving business ecosystem through cultivating a broad stakeholder network.
What We’ve Done: Scaling Businesses
Over the past three years, the Civic Committee has partnered with leading consulting firms and Members to develop a deep understanding of Illinois’ high growth sectors, business ecosystem, and Civic Committee Member demand. Under the leadership of a 20-person Task Force, the Civic Committee has launched the Chicago Business Opportunity Initiative (CBOI) as its flagship effort to grow Chicago-based businesses with a key focus on scaling firms across the region.
Foundational to this effort is the initiative’s signature Business Cohort Program, which launched in 2024, and expanded in April 2025. The program is designed to facilitate access by forging deep, mutually beneficial relationships between key decision-makers in the Chicago business community and strengthen competitiveness for Chicago-based businesses not operating at scale in professional services, financial services, technology, advanced manufacturing, and sports and entertainment.
Business Cohort Program firms are getting unique direct access to influential stakeholders to accelerate success. Members, too, get the opportunity to expand their Chicago-based business partnerships with experienced local firms. CBOI aims to launch two additional cohorts in 2025 with an ultimate goal of working closely with 150 participants and connecting them with meaningful business opportunities over the next five years.