Naturally Chicago is the community for our Good Food & Natural Product Industry.
Why Naturally Chicago?
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We Create Connections
Naturally Chicago hosts regular networking events that provide an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore new business opportunities. These events connect entrepreneurs with investors, start ups with industry experts, retailers and other industry professionals.
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We Support Our Partners
Your membership to Naturally Chicago, gets you resources, access and support to help your natural product start-ups and early-stage companies grow and succeed. This includes mentorship, access to funding opportunities, and market-focused workshops and events.
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We Provide Insights
Naturally Chicago offers our members valuable industry insights and information through our educational and thought-leadership programs. These programs provide members with the latest trends, insights and best practices in the fast-growing natural products industry, helping them to stay ahead of the curve and make informed business decisions.
NATURALLY CHICAGO PITCH COMPETITION APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
DUE BYAPRIL 11 !
Naturally Chicago Events
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Building a Partnership with a Broker — 4/2/25 Live Members-Only Event
Naturally Chicago Members...
Join us on April 2 for our IN-PERSON event in downtown Chicago to learn more about working with brokers — and to celebrate the success of our Mentorship program.
This MEMBERS ONLY gathering will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the headquarters of C.A. Fortune, a leading brand broker, at 651 W. Washington Blvd. in the West Loop neighborhood. Doors will open for registration at 3:30 p.m.
The meeting will have two components: a panel discussion on brokers, as well as a social and networking finale to thank all of the Mentors and Mentees who have participated in the 2nd cohort of our Mentorship program.
Click the button below to register.
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Power to Pitch: 10 Keys to a Successful Pitch
Whether you're pitching to investors, for grants, or preparing to compete in Naturally Chicago's Pitch Slam, your ability to communicate a clear, compelling and confident pitch is key to securing funding.
That's why Naturally Chicago hosted the webinar, Power to Pitch: 10 Keys to a Successful Pitch, on Thursday, March 13.
This event was be a tour de force by Kat Weaver, the fundraising and pitch expert who founded and runs the Power to Pitch company.
Click the button below to access our takeaways blog — with a link to the webinar recording!
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Chocolate, Mezcal, Tequila and You — Live Tasting Event — 3/1/25
Join us for “Chocolate, Mezcal, Tequila and You,” a tasting of four vegan truffles and four premium spirits that show indulgence doesn't have to come with consequences.
The presenters at this fun (and informative) event are:
Lou Bank, one of the nation's leading experts on mezcal and tequila. Lou created and leads the non-profit organization S.A.C.R.E.D. (Saving Agave for Culture, Recreation, Education and Development), which helps improve lives in the rural Mexican communities where heritage agave spirits are made.
Kayla Scharboneau, Vosges' Brand Ambassador. Kayla is a lifelong artist with a passion for creativity in all forms. With a background as a professional cake decorator, she mastered the art of transforming confections into edible masterpieces.
Now as a Brand Ambassador for Vosges Chocolate, she shares the company's innovative flavors and rich story with others, bringing her artistic expertise and industry knowledge to the forefront.
Click the button below for our recap, with lots of photos and links to learn more about S.A.C.R.E.D. and Vosges.
Chicago Seed Co. Investor Group is Now Part of Naturally Chicago
Naturally Chicago — the region’s association for the natural products industry — has joined forces with Chicago Seed Co., the premier network of Chicago-area investors who are passionate about supporting food, beverage and natural products companies.
Read the document below to learn more about Chicago Seed Co.
Brand Investment Connector Database
Building Business Success and Diversity
Naturally Chicago and Chicago:Blend have joined forces to create the Brand Investment Connector Database, a powerful tool designed to overcome the capital access challenge for natural product startups.
Together, we provide a unique platform where businesses can showcase their potential and investors can discover promising opportunities.
Locally Made
Get on the Shelves with Leading Chicago Retailers Through Naturally Chicago’s Locally Made!
Welcome to Naturally Chicago’s Locally Made Program - a groundbreaking initiative designed to connect Illinois retailers with the region’s emerging and top-performing brands.
Locally Made is a partnership between Naturally Chicago and KeHE Distributors, along with other industry-leading partners who have extensive relationships with retailers and a proven track record of securing shelf presence for early-stage and emerging brands.
We have one mission…
to make Chicago an epicenter for innovative, fast-growing natural products companies.
DIAMOND PARTNERS
PREMIER PARTNERS
PLATINUM PARTNERS
GROWING PARTNERS
EXPANDING PARTNERS
EMERGING PARTNERS
NATURALLY NETWORK PARTNERS
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