CBA Home | Web site Index | Contact CBA

External Resources

Below are some helpful links to assist you with your start-up business.

• Business Plan
  

  A business plan is a formal statement of business goals, the reasons why you believe they are attainable, and the plan for reaching those goals.            
  Chicago Public Library research databases for business plans
  

  Business plan and financial statement templates:

  Technology Business Plan Template

  Investor Presentation Template

• Credit

  Your credit score is directly related to obtaining a loan. You can access your credit report through this link:
  Credit Score

• Financing
  

  Obtaining financing through loans and other forms of capital is necessary in order to start-up or expand a business.
       City of Chicago's Small Business Loan Programs
       Federal Government Grant Programs
       SBIR/STTR Federal Federal Grant Program
       Small Business Administration (SBA Loans)

• Government

  Federal, state, and the City of Chicago's government have links and helpful resources for small business owners.
  
       Federal
            U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
  
       State
            Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
  
       City of Chicago:
            Chicago City Treasurer's Office
            IL Department of City Affairs and Consumer Protection

• Legal

  Pro-bono legal help for start-up and existing business owners
       Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship
       The John Marshall Law School Legal Assistance
       The Law Project

• Licensing

  Licenses are necessary and available to legally run your business.
       City of Chicago
       Cyber Drive Illinois

• Tax

  Learn about paying your federal/state taxes through these links:
       For Information on the IRS and your business
       Illinois Revenue
       Internal Revenue Service

• Technology

       Equity Investment/Start-up funding
       Illinois Technology Association