Future of Commerce 2025: Building the Blueprint for Innovation in Englewood and Beyond

CHICAGO - July 17, 2025 - PRLog -- The Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce is proud to present Future of Commerce 2025, an immersive business and technology summit taking place on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Kennedy-King College, 740 W. 63rd Street, Chicago. This highly anticipated event is part of TECHICAGOWEEK and continues to serve as a platform for connecting innovation with entrepreneurship, equity, and neighborhood transformation.

This year's theme, "The Blueprint: Building Tomorrow's Innovation," centers on how tech, creativity, and collaboration are powering new opportunities, especially for historically underserved communities.

Three Tracks. One Shared Vision.
Attendees will choose from three engaging tracks designed to provide inspiration, education, and real-time business support:

• Innovation Track (4:15 PM – 7:15 PM): A live Maker Faire-style showcase in the Great Hall featuring visionary startups, creators, and support organizations.
• Entrepreneurship Track (5:00 PM – 7:30 PM): Watch rising founders pitch in the NextGen Pitch Competitionfor a $500 prize in the Auditorium, followed by a dynamic fireside chat that brings together visionary community leaders/BSOs to discuss how Chicago's rich cultural heritage can be transformed into economic opportunity.
• Education Track (4:30 PM – 7:00 PM): Hands-on workshops on sustainability, AI for business, and data-driven strategies in the Breakout Room.

Why You Should Attend

From founders and funders to community builders and curious minds, Future of Commerce is the place to explore how commerce can be reimagined for lasting impact. Expect actionable takeaways, networking opportunities, and moments that inspire your next big idea.

Sponsors & Partners

We thank our sponsors and partners for making this event possible:

• Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd)
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
• Verizon
• Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)
• Go Green Community Fresh Market
• America's SBDC Illinois
• Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation
• Imagine Englewood if...
• Kennedy-King College
• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
• That's So Creative, LLC
• Grow With Google

Event Details

🗓 Date: Monday, July 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Kennedy-King College, 740 W. 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60621
🎟 Register Here: www.gechamber.com/futureofcommerce

About GECC:

The Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce is committed to transforming Greater Englewood into a thriving economic ecosystem. Through programming like Future of Commerce, GECC leads initiatives that support entrepreneurship, digital access, and inclusive growth.