Small Business Growth Program Fall Cohort Announced

The Polsky Small Business Growth Program has announced the Fall 2019 cohort, which is made up of small businesses located in the South and West Side of Chicago. Small teams of University of Chicago students provide hands-on consulting experience to these companies, helping them address key business challenges and determine new strategies for business growth.

With funding from JPMorgan Chase, and in partnership with the Office of Civic Engagement, this program is part of the nationwide Ascend 2020 program, which partners with top universities and institutions to  provide business assistance and opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses in major metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, DC

The Fall 2019 cohort includes:

Amazing Ediblesis a full service catering company on the southwest side of Chicago.

The Brookins Familyis an African-American owned and operated funeral service business.

Eating to Live (ETL) is a manufacturer of health conscious foods for retail and foodservice distribution.

Kikwetu Kenya Coffee Company is a coffee company founded by a Chicago family with Kenyan roots.

Mikkey’s Retro Grill provides burgers wings for the greater Hyde Park community.

PartScriptionserves independent hardware retailers with access to millions of parts.

Shall We Wineis a wine, spirits, and beer demo and event planning company.

South Rhodes Records sources and sells new and used vinyl records with a focus on “urban” genres.

TeaSquares creates delicious superfood snacks developed by nutritionists to provide sustained energy.

The Nile of Hyde Park is a full-service Middle Eastern restaurant located in Hyde Park.

Vive Healthy Sport and Nutrition is a fitness studio located in Pilsen.