Hilo Business Development Center
A small business development center dedicated to addressing economic inequality.
Hilo empowers entrepreneurs in historically under-resourced communities, regardless of industry or background, through strategic consulting, funding, and educational resources.
Chicago Small Business Resource Map
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- 1 Enter your business address or neighborhood.
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Open the full map →01 — Our mission
Empowering entrepreneurs in historically under-resourced communities.
Hilo is a small business development center, dedicated to addressing economic inequality by empowering entrepreneurs in historically under-resourced communities.
Our mission is to provide holistic support in navigating the small business ecosystem through strategic consulting, funding, and educational resources.
At Hilo, we envision a world where all entrepreneurs, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to thrive. We are committed to transforming an economic system that has long excluded diverse entrepreneurs, combating disinvestment, and ensuring everyone has access to the social and material resources needed to succeed.
Founded in May 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We launched the $1K Grant campaign as a response to the hardships faced by small businesses due to closures and the barriers to accessing relief funds.
During the pandemic, monetary relief was vital, with 63% of our applicants fearing closure within a year. These grants supported women- and minority-owned businesses often excluded from federal and state aid like PPP and EIDL due to the complexity of the application process. This underscored the critical role Hilo plays in bridging these gaps.
Analyzing grant applications revealed entrepreneurs needed more than capital. They required technical support to navigate shifting conditions. In response, we launched the Growth Program, a data-driven incubator to help businesses survive and thrive. Initially for grantees, the program now supports all entrepreneurs, prioritizing women and BIPOC from underserved communities.
02 — Our curriculum
Our programs lead with business modeling: bootstrapping and unit economics.
With our proprietary curriculum as the foundation, our programs lead with business modeling specifically focusing on two core financial concepts: bootstrapping and unit economics.
Recognizing the root causes of socioeconomic challenges, we prioritize concepts like bootstrapping and unit economics to foster innovative business solutions. Our curriculum integrates these principles into a comprehensive program covering four core areas:
03 — How we work
Hilo Growth Program
Hands-on technical assistance across financial management, operations, licensing and compliance, and marketing, delivered through 1:1 advising and workshops for entrepreneurs at every stage.
Learn moreStorefront Activation
Hilo is the designated Corridor Lead for the City of Chicago's CCSA program on W 18th Street in Pilsen. We provide free application support, budget scoping, and submission guidance for grants covering up to 75% of buildout costs.
Learn moreCapital Readiness Program
In partnership with CIBC, Hilo connects entrepreneurs to low-barrier lending opportunities. We work with you on financial readiness, cash flow modeling, and underwriting preparation before you ever sit across from a lender.
Learn moreHilo's programs function as a coordinated system of funding and education.
Businesses often begin with direct financial support, engage in technical assistance to strengthen operations, build readiness for larger capital opportunities, and ultimately transition into physical storefronts. This progression ensures that capital is paired with operational readiness, leading to stronger business outcomes.
Across all programs, Hilo contributes to measurable outcomes including business stabilization, revenue growth, job creation, and the activation of commercial corridors throughout Chicago.
"I think of them as an organization that is trying to use their resources to empower BIPOC-led businesses but also engage in social change in the neighborhoods these businesses are situated. What is unique is, in addition to providing funding, their theory of change: the hidden curriculum of entrepreneurship that allows people to navigate, which usually is restricted to more resourced and well-connected groups."
Assistant Professor, John Glenn College of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University
04 — Community of entrepreneurs
Explore the small businesses transforming their communities with the support of Hilo programs. Community resilience, local talent, innovation. These ventures are a testament to the impact of investing in under-resourced entrepreneurs and fostering sustainable growth in our communities.
05 — Our community
Find a Hilo business to support near you.
Hilo entrepreneurs are operating all over Chicago. Explore the map to discover businesses in your neighborhood and support them the next time you shop, eat, or hire.
06 — Our supporters + partners
Mayor Brandon Johnson·City of Chicago BACP·Chicago Beyond·PepsiCo / Cheetos·United Neighborhoods Equity Fund·Mozilla·West Side United·ChiBizStrong·Illinois DCEO·Chicago Community Trust·United Way of Metro Chicago·Allstate·WBDC·CIBC·Chicago Sky Foundation
Support the work
This work is funded by people who believe in it.
Hilo is a 501(c)(3). Every donation supports free programming, direct grants, and community rapid-response work.