Become a partner. Help new businesses launch.
Are you a Chicagoland service business that helps new companies get off the ground? We're actively onboarding partners across nine categories. As a partner, you offer one specific service to program recipients at no charge or significantly reduced cost. In return: prominent credit, direct relationships with new Chicagoland businesses, and an early seat at a growing program.
Founded
by
Two ways to partner
Two tiers. Both real.
Not every partner needs to commit the same way. Pick the level of involvement that fits your firm. Both get prominent credit on the program, both get warm intros from us, and both can graduate up over time.
Listed Partner
The lightest commitment. Be in front of every new Chicagoland business in our pipeline without changing how you operate.
- Offer one resource. A free PDF, checklist, or 1-page guide we can hand to recipients.
- Take warm intros. When applicants need your category, we route them your way.
- 15-minute setup. One onboarding call, then we run with it.
- Logo on partner directory. Listed alongside other Tier 1 firms.
Cost: $0 + 15 min
Founding Partner
Deeper commitment, top-of-page placement, direct intros. The category lead — the firm we recommend first when an applicant needs you.
- Offer a real free or reduced service. Free consult, fixed-fee starter package, discounted first month — whatever fits.
- Featured placement. Top of the partner directory in your category, mentioned in welcome materials.
- Direct introductions. Staff coordinates the handoff, follows up after the conversation.
- Quarterly co-marketing. Joint posts, shared press, recipient testimonials.
Cost: One real service offer
For service businesses
Nine categories. Open to apply.
If you fall into any of these categories and operate anywhere in the six-county Chicagoland metro - Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Will, McHenry - we want to hear from you. These are the categories where new businesses need help most in their first 90 days.
As a partner, you offer one specific service to recipients at no charge or significantly reduced cost. In return:
- Credited prominentlyLogo and link on our public partner directory and on each recipient's welcome materials.
- Direct relationshipsRecipients know who's helping them. The strongest customer relationships start with someone who showed up first.
- Vetted by the programPartners are reviewed for quality and reputation. We don't accept anyone - that protects your reputation alongside ours.
— For tier 1 listed partners
Your investment vs. your return.
Tier 1 partnership is the lightest commitment we offer. It still puts you in front of every new Chicagoland business in our pipeline.
What it costs you
What you get back
— The long-term opportunity
5-year client value by partner type.
Realistic 5-year revenue ranges per retained client, based on industry-standard small-business LTV benchmarks. The right partnership turns one introduction into years of work.
How partner onboarding works
Three steps. About a week.
Same direct, no-friction process as our applicant flow.
Email us
Tell us who you are, what category you'd serve, and what specific service you'd offer to recipients at no or reduced cost. One email is enough.
Quality review
We check your reputation, online reviews, time in business, and references if needed. Partners are vetted because the program's reputation rides on yours.
Onboard
If approved, you're added to the partner directory, your service goes into the recipient welcome kit, and we coordinate handoffs as new applications come in.
— The upside scenario
How one partnership compounds.
If a partner serves 10 recipients and a third of those become regular clients who refer 3 more each, the math gets interesting fast. Real numbers will vary; this shows the shape of the upside.
| Year | What happens | Total clients |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 10 program recipients introduced | 10 |
| Year 2 | Each refers 3 in year two | 30 |
| Year 3 | Half of those refer 2 more | 60 |
| Year 4 | Compounding continues | 120 |
| Year 5 | Steady-state network | 240 |
Ready to partner?
Tell us about your business. Five fields. We respond within two business hours during business days.