Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative

08/28/2026

Whether you're working through cash flow challenges, exploring growth opportunities, or need help accessing capital, Cook County Source provides the one-on-one counseling, specialized workshops, and strategic connections that turn financial knowledge into business success. Their experienced advisors work alongside entrepreneurs at every stage, offering the kind of personalized support that complements our educational programming perfectly.

Ready to take your financial planning to the next level? Sign up with Cook County Business Source today to connect with advisors who understand your business goals and can help you navigate the path from where you are to where you want to be.

08/24/2026

🚀 Ready to take your business to the next level with funding?

Preparing for capital isn't just about having your documents in order — it's about ensuring YOU and your business are truly ready for what comes next.

Join us for a Capital Readiness workshop and discover:
✅ How to assess your business's operational readiness
✅ What funders are really looking for
✅ How to evaluate your personal emotional readiness
✅ Practical strategies to strengthen your funding position

This interactive virtual workshop includes hands-on exercises, peer discussions, and you'll walk away with a concrete action plan for funding success.

📅 Tuesday, August 25, 2026
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM CT
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

Click link to register: https://bit.ly/46ioyf7

Hosted by SECC Chicago and Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative.

Find out if your business is prepared to access capital.

07/31/2026

⏰ Deadline Extended: Fall 2026 Launch Academy

Applications deadline extended to August 7 at midnight.

Our Launch Academy is an 8-month program for creative and social entrepreneurs at the idea stage. Over 8 months, you'll:
- Clarify your business idea and test it with real customers
- Learn to price your work and manage your finances
- Make early sales and adapt based on what you learn
- Set up systems to run your business
- Get regular feedback from instructors and peers as you build

You might be ready if you:
- Have an idea for a creative or social enterprise
- Know your field but need help with the business side
- Can commit 15-20 hours/week to building your business
- Want to build alongside other mission-driven entrepreneurs

📅 Program runs September 2026 – June 2027
💻 100% virtual
⏰ Application deadline: August 7 at midnight

Learn more: https://uptimacoop.com/program/launch-academy/
Apply: https://uptimacoop.com/apply/

07/28/2026

Your business budget is more than just numbers

Ready to create budgets that actually work for your business and reflect your business’ values? Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll learn to build financial tools that guide your business decisions and support sustainable growth.
In this workshop, you will gain:
✅ Practical budgeting techniques that work for small businesses
✅ Skills to create realistic financial forecasts
✅ Strategies to align your budget with your business goals AND values
✅ Tools to monitor and adjust as you grow

Through hands-on exercises and peer discussions, you'll learn how to create budgets that reflect your values while supporting your vision for the future.

📅 Tuesday, July 28, 2026
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM CT
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

Click link to register: https://bit.ly/4vRb9oA

This workshop is hosted by:

SECC Chicago is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to facilitating and supporting economic development within Chicago's Southeast lakefront communities.

Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative is the nation's first cooperatively owned business support organization, providing holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses.

07/15/2026

When Mad Vegan Collective came to Uptima, she was already making incredible vegan products. What she needed was help with the business side – especially pricing and planning for long-term income.

Through the program, she learned how to price her products to bring in steady income throughout the year and sharpened her contribution margins to focus on what actually supports the longevity of her business. She got more hands-on with her planning, developed new income streams, and launched her bakery classes earlier than she expected.

This is what we see happen. People come in knowing their craft, and the program gives them the tools and structure to build a business around it.

Our Launch Academy is accepting applications for Fall 2026. If you have a business idea you're ready to build, the deadline is July 31.

Learn more and apply: https://uptimacoop.com/program/launch-academy/

07/14/2026

📊 Your business budget is more than just numbers

Ready to create budgets that actually work for your business and reflect your business’ values? Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll learn to build financial tools that guide your business decisions and support sustainable growth.

In this workshop, you will gain:
✅ Practical budgeting techniques that work for small businesses
✅ Skills to create realistic financial forecasts
✅ Strategies to align your budget with your business goals AND values
✅ Tools to monitor and adjust as you grow

Through hands-on exercises and peer discussions, you'll learn how to create budgets that reflect your values while supporting your vision for the future.

📅 Wednesday, July 15, 2026
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM PT
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

Click link to register: https://bit.ly/4pfuwGx

This workshop is sponsored by SCALE: Success, Capital Access and Leadership for Entrepreneurs, created by Office of the Small Business Advocate.

07/13/2026

Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative is proud to partner with Cook County Source, Cook County’s premier small business support network. Through this collaboration, businesses in Cook County, IL can access no-cost business advising, resources and expert guidance. Whether you need help securing funding, refining your business strategy or navigating growth challenges, The Source is here to support you.

07/07/2026

Launch Academy Fall 2026 - an 8-month program for creative and social entrepreneurs at the idea stage.

You'll clarify your idea, test it with real customers, and develop a plan to launch - alongside fellow mission-driven entrepreneurs.

📅 September 2026 – June 2027
💻 100% Virtual
⏰ Apply by July 31

Click link to learn more: https://uptimacoop.com/program/launch-academy/
Click link to apply: https://uptimacoop.com/apply/

07/06/2026

📊 Your business budget is more than just numbers

Ready to create budgets that actually work for your business and reflect your business’ values? Join us for an interactive workshop where you'll learn to build financial tools that guide your business decisions and support sustainable growth. In this workshop, you will gain:

✅ Practical budgeting techniques that work for small businesses
✅ Skills to create realistic financial forecasts
✅ Strategies to align your budget with your business goals AND values
✅ Tools to monitor and adjust as you grow

Through hands-on exercises and peer discussions, you'll learn how to create budgets that reflect your values while supporting your vision for the future.

📅 Wednesday, July 8, 2026
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM PT
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

Click link to register: https://bit.ly/4vF4Qp0

Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative is the nation's first cooperatively owned business support organization, providing holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses.

The Antioch Business Collaborative is a new program by the City of Antioch to support the small business community in Antioch through on-on-one advisory services, workshops and trainings, and help with access to capital.

06/08/2026

💫 Ready to connect with your ideal customers?

Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll create a marketing strategy that actually works for YOUR business. What you’ll gain:
✅A clear picture of who your ideal customer really is
✅Measurable marketing goals aligned with your business vision
✅Proven best practices for content marketing that resonates
✅A practical marketing plan you can start using right away
✅Connection with fellow business owners navigating the same challenges

Workshop details:
📅 Wednesday, June 8, 2026
⏰ 4:00 - 6:00 PM PT
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

Click link to register: https://bit.ly/4ueU6Mt
This workshop is hosted by:

Uptima Entrepreneur Cooperative is the nation's first cooperatively owned business support organization, providing holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses.

The Antioch Business Collaborative is a new program by the City of Antioch to support the small business community in Antioch through on-on-one advisory services, workshops and trainings, and help with access to capital.