What this is. Who runs it.
The New Business Project is a 90-Day Jumpstart program providing free professional services to new Chicagoland businesses. Funded by its co-founding partners — Chicago Fleet Wraps and Regions PM — and structured to scale by onboarding additional service-business partners across nine categories.
Co-founded
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Background
The program in plain language.
About the program
The New Business Project was co-founded in 2024 by Chicago Fleet Wraps and Regions PM to help new Chicagoland businesses with their first essential services — a branded vehicle and a real workspace. The program is funded by its co-founding partners and is structured to scale as additional partners join.
Recipients receive free services with no income test, no industry filter, no application essay. Eligibility is simple: a Chicagoland address (Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, or McHenry County) and a business license dated within the last 90 days.
Why "90 days"?
The first 90 days of a new business are when marketing budget is the lowest and operational essentials matter most. By the time most founders can afford branding or proper workspace, they've already spent months looking like a hobby instead of a business — losing customers and credibility.
Covering the first 90 days means recipients show up to their first real customer interactions looking professional. That's worth more in their first year than the same investment a year later.
Press & partnerships
For journalists & civic groups.
We're happy to provide background, statistics, and recipient stories (with permission) for journalists covering small business in Chicagoland. Open to conversations with chambers of commerce, civic organizations, county economic development offices, and small business development centers about referral pipelines and program expansion.
Press inquiries
Direct line for journalists. We aim to respond within two business hours and can usually get you on a call same-day for breaking coverage. Available for written quotes and recorded/broadcast interviews. Background on the founders, the program model, and recipient outcomes available.
Partnership questions
Questions from chambers of commerce, civic organizations, Cook/DuPage/Lake/Kane/Will/McHenry county economic development offices, or small business development centers. We're open to conversations about referral pipelines, cross-promotion, and how the program can amplify your work.
Want to apply?
If your Illinois business license is under 90 days old and you're in Chicagoland, the program is open.