The steps below outline how you can expect the application process for Make City and The Hatchery to proceed. This is just a general overview, as specific criteria differ for each incubator.
If you're interested in Entrepreneur Membership, apply here.
Complete an inquiry form for Make City or The Hatchery. The inquiry form asks for basic business information, your space needs, and a summary of your business. There is no application fee.
Submit the Make City inquiry Form→ industrialcouncil.com/mc-tenant-inquiry-form/
Submit The Hatchery inquiry Form →industrialcouncil.com/the-hatchery-kitchen-inquiry-form/
⚡Tip: Be specific about what your business does, what space or support you need, and what you plan to do with it. Vague inquiries take longer to process.
The ICNC team reviews your inquiry against current capacity, available space, and eligibility criteria. For Make City, this includes a review of the type of business, space needs, zoning requirements, and alignment with the tenant community. For The Hatchery, this includes reviewing what required certifications you hold, your business type, and kitchen space needs.
⚡What ICNC reviews: Business type and industry fit, stage of growth, space needs, and alignment with the ICNC community mission.
Applicants who pass the initial review are invited to an in-person or virtual interview or consultation with ICNC staff. For Make City, this typically includes a facility tour so you can see available units firsthand. For The Hatchery, this includes moving on to the formal application stage and scheduling a tour of the facility.
⚡What to prepare: A clear one-minute description of your business, your top goal for the next 12 months, and a specific example of customer or market validation.
Accepted applicants receive a formal offer from ICNC and complete lease or membership documentation. The operations team at each facility will work with you to coordinate move-in, space customization plans, and introductions to on-site advisors.
⚡Timeline expectation: Two to six weeks from inquiry to approval for Make City, depending on space availability. The Hatchery timeline varies depending on prospective tenants acquiring required certifications in a timely manner. It is highly recommended to have food safety certifications completed before applying.
A one- to two-page summary of your business model, target customer, and growth goals is sufficient for most programs. A full business plan is not required at inquiry stage.
12- to 24-month revenue and expense projections. These do not need to be audited — a simple spreadsheet showing your assumptions and expected trajectory is adequate.
If applicable — physical samples for Make City product businesses, food samples or packaging for Hatchery applicants, or a portfolio for creative services businesses.
A Food Protection Manager Certificate (available through ServSafe or other ANSI-accredited testing agency), Allergen Awareness Certificate (available through ServSafeor other ANSI-accredited testing agency), and City of Chicago Food Sanitation Manager Certificate (reciprocity available at Kennedy King College with proof of ServSafe or other ANSI-accredited Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM) certificate) are required for commercial kitchen access at The Hatchery.
It is highly encouraged to complete these certifications prior to submitting your inquiry.
An LLC, sole proprietorship, or other legal business entity is recommended for prospective tenants at both Make City and The Hatchery. Applicants who are not yet a registered business entity should discuss this with ICNC during the consultation — registration support is available.
Certificate of Liability Insurance, including necessary endorsements, is required for both Make City and The Hatchery tenants prior to move-in or commercial kitchen access. ICNC can provide guidance on obtaining coverage and any required endorsements.
A brief professional background showing relevant experience in your industry, production, or business management. This does not need to be a formal resume — a paragraph is sufficient.
ICNC is designed to support businesses at real stages of growth, not just the polished pitch-deck stage. If you do not yet have a business plan or formal financials, reach out anyway,ICNC staff may be able to help you.
Sales, pre-orders, active customers, completed pilots, or documented market testing are more persuasive than projections alone. Even modest early traction — 10 customers, one wholesale account, a farmer’s market season — demonstrates that the business is real and the founder is executing.
ICNC services include mentorship, advising, and structured business development support. Applicants who can articulate what they want to learn and who show genuine openness to feedback are more likely to succeed in — and be selected for — joining The Hatchery or Make City communities.
The ICNC mission is directly tied to job creation and retention on Chicago’s Near West Side. If your business has a credible path to hiring — even as a 12- to 24-month goal — make that explicit in your application. Tie your growth plan to employment outcomes wherever honest to do so.
Vague applications — “I want to grow my business” — do not help reviewers understand fit. Strong applicants name a specific milestone: a retail account, a production volume target, a first hire, a funding close. Specificity signals seriousness and makes it easier for ICNC to assess whether they can help you get there.
ICNC exists to drive inclusive economic development on Chicago’s Near West Side. Applicants who understand and can articulate this mission — and who see their business as part of a larger economic ecosystem, not just a personal financial pursuit — resonate strongly with evaluation criteria.
Both Make City and The Hatchery have limited physical capacity. Make City is currently at 93% occupancy, meaning available units are in high demand. The Hatchery serves a defined number of commercial kitchen members at any given time and applicants should expect a thorough review process.
Having a registered business entity — an LLC, sole proprietorship, or similar — is strongly recommended before applying to Make City or The Hatchery.
Entrepreneur Membership and The Hatchery Incubation Cohort do not require a registered business entity to apply.
For Make City, the timeline from initial inquiry to lease execution typically ranges from two to six weeks, depending on unit availability and the completeness of your inquiry.
For The Hatchery, the timeline depends on having the proper certifications completed. Many people don’t have all the required documents at the beginning, but please note that completing the required certifications to obtain a shared kitchen user license may take up to three weeks or longer.
ICNC is not a direct funder, but it actively connects tenants and members with grant opportunities, government program information, and capital access resources. Since 2022, ICNC has secured more than $6 million in funding to support entrepreneurship and job creation across its incubators. Tenants and members benefit from ICNC’s expertise in navigating capital access for small businesses and its relationships with funders like Allies for Community Business.
A business incubator, like Make City or The Hatchery, provides sustained access to physical space, infrastructure, and ongoing business support over a multi-year period. There is no fixed “graduation” timeline — businesses stay as long as it’s beneficial and continues to serve their growth.
A business accelerator typically operates on a fixed 90- to 120-day intensive program model designed to prepare startups for investment. With ICNC, the goal is long-term, sustained growth and community impact, not a rapid fundraising sprint.
Businesses that need commercial kitchen access (The Hatchery) and manufacturing or product development space (Make City) may find that both sites serve distinct operational needs. The ICNC team can help you identify what may work best for you and your business.
