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Business Innovation & Growth Center

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T (773) 442-6104

F (773) 442-6110

cobm-do@neiu.edu

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BIG Venn diagram
Northeastern Illinois University's College of Business and Management is pleased to introduce you to its Business Innovation & Growth Center.

Northeastern Illinois University's Business Innovation & Growth Center (BIG Center) aids start-ups and existing businesses to fuel their entrepreneurial growth. 

The BIG Center supports businesses from pre-launch to exit:

  • Entrepreneurial mindset, ideation and proof of concept 
  • Commercialization and financing 
  • Rapid growth through new products, new markets, sales and marketing channels with a focus on technology and digital marketing
  • Scaling of operations 
  • Non-organic growth such as vertical integration, acquisitions, and joint ventures

NEIU's BIG Center also paves a path for students, alumni and the area's local start-ups into Chicago's entrepreneurship pipelines, educational programs and mentoring.

Measurable outcomes

  • Entrepreneurial new venture launches (both for-profit and not-for-profit)
  • New jobs, internships and apprenticeships
  • Customer revenue gains
  • Financing secured (debt, equity and grants)
  • Business growth projects with measurable results (tech commercialization, proof of concept, digital marketing, new product, new market, acquisition, generational transfer)
  • NEIU revenue (tuition, grants, ROI-seed money, business project fees, incubator fees, finance and vendor lead generation commissions)

Business Planning for Entrepreneurs 

Thinking about starting your own business or nonprofit? With a plan, your start-up is more likely to succeed. In this 12-week noncredit mini-course, you will create your own pitch-ready business plan. Your course instructor will guide you through four main components: researching your industry and competitors; developing your marketing and sales plan; devising your income statement for an ideal year; and preparing your pitch presentation.

Benefits to preparing a business plan for your entrepreneurial venture:

  • Double your chances for success! 
  • Necessary to attract financing (grants, loans, equity investments);
  • Gain clarity about what has to be done to achieve success (financial results and impact).

Benefits of completing Entrepreneurial Business Planning training at NEIU’s BIG Center:

  • Focus on financial forecasting; 
  • Make profit-enhancing entrepreneurial pivots prior to launch and/or before scaling; 
  • Certificate of completion from NEIU’s AACSB-accredited College of Business Management (adds credibility when seeking financing);  
  • One-to-one coaching sessions with instructors between classes to work specifically on your entrepreneurial venture (we don’t grade you, and we get to work with you on your homework!);
  • Publicity opportunities: In the past year, BIG Center entrepreneurs were featured in NEIU press releases, on CBS News, in AARP’s national monthly magazine, in Negocios Now, and in the BIG Center newsletter!
    • As with last year, the classes will culminate with a New Venture Pitch Night, to which family, friends, angel investors, local government officials, community leaders, and the press are invited;  
    • After successful completion of the business plan non-credit courses, NEIU’s BIG Center continues to work with you to find regular opportunities to feature you and your entrepreneurial venture in publicity and other marketing opportunities. 
  • Opportunities to work with NEIU faculty and students on projects focused on the growth of your entrepreneurial ventures.
    • Free to the entrepreneurs, student projects have included logo design, branding consultations, Pitch Night videos, and business highlight videos;
    • In partnership with the University of Illinois – Champaign, funded by a federal grant, a few entrepreneurs are having free websites built in WordPress!

upcoming courses

Business Planning For Entrepreneurs
6-8 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 9, 2020

Sign Up

Marketing with Instagram and Google
6-8 p.m. on Wednesdays, June 10 and 24, and July 8 and 29, 2020

Sign Up

Business Planning For Entrepreneurs
6-8 p.m. Thursdays starting June 11, 2020

Sign Up

SEO for Business
6-8 p.m. on Thursdays, July 9 and 23, Aug. 6, 2020

Sign Up


For more information contact the BIG Center.
(773) 442-6078
BIG-Center@neiu.edu


              
   

Promos

AARP Foundation

Work for Yourself@50+ Entrepreneurial Readiness Workshops

CBS Chicago

Meet the BIG Center entrepreneurs

QuickLinks

NEIU New Venture Pitch Night
NEIU Receives an AARP Foundation Grant
BIG Center Entrepreneurs Highlighted in AARP Foundation Report
Donate to the NEIU BIG Center
BIG Center Mentioned in Negocios Now Publication
More entrepreneurs from BIG Center featured in another national publication-Kauffman's Currents

Business and Management

  • About Us
    • AACSB Accreditation
    • Dean's Welcome
    • Mission, Vision and Goals
    • Executive Advisory Council
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  • Majors, Minors, Graduate Programs & Certificates
  • Business Innovation & Growth Center
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  • COBM Advising Center
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CONTACT US

T (773) 442-6104

F (773) 442-6110

cobm-do@neiu.edu

Contact Us

Connect with College of Business and Management

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