The Chicago Lean Startup Circle is a group of smart and driven high-tech entrepreneurs that have learned how to discover customers and build products they want. Lean Startups (which can include for profit and not for profit organizations, new product/innovation organizations within larger companies and even government agencies) achieve success faster than most because they get out of the building to talk to customers, validate business model assumptions as quickly and cheaply as possible, use ag …

The Startup Trebuchet Entrepreneurs’ Clinics create environments to explore the challenges of securing the best position in launching and maintaining a business. The groups are purposefully kept small, with 10 – 20 participants, to allow for in-depth discussion of actual issues. These are not lectures, but rather highly interactive sessions. Subjects range from entity formation, establishing co-founder agreements, protecting intellectual property and trade secrets, business assumption va …

Startup Bootcamp is a Chicago-based community dedicated to facilitating the initial phases associated with technology-related startups. In particular, it is a community of startups that can support each other throughout the so-called "Valley of Death" period. Startup Bootcamp is entirely free, barring the cost of any meeting facilities or other logistical costs (which are split up amongst the attendees). The goal of the community is to provide each other with support in order to facilitate th …

So you have an idea. How do you turn an idea into an actual product? Why not meet with other people in the area who are in the same boat? Join Practical Startups to give and receive practical advice on how to start and develop a business.

Thinking of starting a business but worried you won't find customers. Running a business now and can't figure out how to advertise without going broke. This meetup is for you.   Moderator KC Truby has brought 251,000 sales leads into his own and his clients businesses over the past 42 years. He is retiring now and is doing this meet up to pass on what he has learned in an age of Internet hype - about what really works.   We'll review Crowd sourcing - getting cold calls made by others on commissi …

… Taking a startup from idea to IPO has taken on mythical proportions in Silicon Valley and beyond.  Many dream the dream, with hopes of launching the "next big thing". We are a community of entrepreneurs, technologists, academics, financial professionals, corporate executives, attorneys, academics, bloggers, writers, content creators, and social activists. One of the compelling features of our meetup group is our packed,  busy calendar full of  informative programs and practical activities design …

This group is for people involved with a startup using technology as the vehicle. From ecommerce, to social good, to mobile apps, etc.

Chicago Business Connection (CBC) is a professional-level business networking group Of Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Real Estate Investors. We plan to host semi-private networking events monthly. Our focus is towards successful Professionals, Entrepreneurs and Investors who seek to advance their business networks along with the net worth of their real estate investment portfolios. Our events will be designed to do just that by being organized to facilitate professional-level exchange on relat …

Business Network Chicago (BNC) is a network for professionals offering extensive offline and online networking opportunities to the Chicago business community. Our mission is to bring professionals together, facilitate the development of mutually beneficial "win-win" relationships, educate, and promote the growth of business in Chicago. We support members in all phases of their career whether looking for clients, talent, a job, capital, or strategic alliances. BNC Groups – Each month BNC ho …

BMA Chicago is the Business Marketing Association’s single largest chapter, serving over 520 business-marketing professionals through professional development, networking events and programs. BMA Chicago enhances critical thinking, communication and managerial skills by bringing our members face to face with the nation’s top b-to-b marketing thinkers and practitioners. Our board is proud to offer a powerful lineup of world-class marketers to you through our Marketing Innovators Luncheon series a …

This group is to be a resource for events, training, and meetings that help you GROW YOUR BUSINESS. Our mission to provide you with the contacts, information, and support that you need to meet more prospects, convert more sales, improve your organization, and grow your business. We have a wide variety of events. When you join this group, you're committing towards building your own reputable and ethical business and helping promote the success of the other members by actively sharing referrals an …

We are starting this group because we believe that good business depends on good advice. We are all advise businesses in one way or another to help them make more money with more peace of mind. Through this group, we will network with each other and teach each other how to get more clients and serve our existing clients better. Expect workshops, seminars, and symposiums. If you have an idea for an event, suggest it!

New group! Are you starting a small business in Chicago? Working hard on your own? With a business partner? Getting into the grind of finding clients and building your business relationships? Come relax, chill, and hang-out over dinner. The purpose of this group is to make room for you while you make room for your business in the world.  If you're maxed out from your cold calls and want nothing more than to have your dinner served up to you without lifting a finger - come!  If you've just snagge …

Introducing.... A unique opportunity to grow your business through Shopping & Networking. Business Owners, These are tough economic times for everyone, but we can weather the storm if we work together. In the end, our friends and customers buy from those they know, like and trust. You are invited to participated in a creative and low-cost way of making new business friends and gaining face-to-face exposure with potential new customers. Shopping & Networking Here how it works: We all have custome …

SYOB - EXPO (Start Your Own Business - Expo) was created for you the Entrepreneur at heart. The purpose of the group is to help you promote, develop and grow your business. No matter how hard you work, you cannot live up to your full potential as an entrepreneur operating in total isolation. Even if you are not a social-preneur by nature attending business events can accomplish four key things to help you both personally and professionally: Educational Benefits in Networking: You will likely lea …

The Venchure Community brings together like-minded professionals through roundtable discussions, user groups, training workshops, seminars and civic community activities. If you're an entrepreneur, startup, or a small business owner we welcome you to join!   *This group will be limited to specific types of professionals and your membership will be pending upon approval.  **This is not a group for MLM, sales leads, real estate or insurance sales. And definitely not a group for dating leads!! Any …