World Business Chicago

What World Business Chicago does

World Business Chicago (WBC) is a public-private 501(c)(3) non-profit economic development organization founded in 1999 and headquartered at 180 N LaSalle in downtown Chicago. It serves as the City of Chicago's official economic development agency, sourcing, managing, and executing projects that drive corporate attraction, corporate expansion, and business marketing across a seven-county Chicagoland region through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) with Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. WBC's primary beneficiaries are corporate entities considering relocation or expansion in the region, international businesses and investors (via the ChiForward global capital strategy), and government and civic partners coordinating regional economic development.

WBC's core "products" are programmatic initiatives rather than technology offerings: marquee convening events (SelectCHI, Chicago Venture Summit, Chicago International Gala), strategic initiatives (Chicago 2050 long-range plan, ChiForward, Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance), research outputs (WBC Research Center, Economic Dashboard, Chicago Business Bulletin, white papers), and direct business development services supporting site selection and incentive navigation. The organization operates a non-profit revenue model funded through contributions from the City of Chicago, Cook County, the State of Illinois, and private-sector board partners including Motorola Solutions, McDonald's, United Airlines, JPMorgan Chase, and ComEd. Services are provided free of charge to companies considering Chicago.

WBC's go-to-market combines direct enterprise engagement (corporate executives and site selection teams), event-based international outreach (SelectCHI convenes executives from 30+ countries), regional coordination through GCEP, and digital marketing across LinkedIn, X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. The organization tracks 152-223 annual Pro-Chicago Decisions (corporate expansions, relocations, and new market entries) and coordinates with 80+ consulates, 100+ ethnic chambers of commerce, and 28 sister cities through Chicago Sister Cities International. Five core verticals (Life Science & Healthcare, Food & AgTech, Transportation & Logistics, Manufacturing, Fintech) are supported by two growth pillars (Cleantech and Quantum Computing).

Name

World Business Chicago

Legal name

World Business Chicago

Website

https://worldbusinesschicago.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

World Business Chicago is a public-private 501(c)(3) economic development agency that drives corporate attraction, expansion, and global investment into the seven-county Chicagoland region through direct business engagement, marquee events, research, and strategic initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of General Economic Programs (92611)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade, Industry & Economic Development Administration (BPAIAAAL), Digital Trade & E-Commerce Development (BPADAMAL), Sustainable Cities, Urban Development & Green Infrastructure (BPADALAL), International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAC)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Corporate attraction programs
• Business relocation assistance
• Site selection consulting
• Workforce development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Public-Private Partnership Funding: As a civic economic development organization, WBC operates as a public-private partnership funded through contributions from the City of Chicago, Cook County, the State of Illinois, and private sector partners. Revenue supports programs for corporate attraction, relocation, expansion, and business marketing across the Chicagoland region.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

World Business Chicago is a public-private 501(c)(3) economic development agency that drives inclusive economic growth in Chicagoland. It provides corporate attraction, relocation, and expansion services; organizes marquee investment summits; publishes economic research; runs workforce and innovation programs; and manages international strategic initiatives including ChiForward, the Chicago Sister Cities International network, and the seven-county Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership.

Product overview

World Business Chicago is Chicago's premier public-private economic development agency, not a product or technology company. It does not offer software products, platforms, or modules. Rather, it provides economic development programs, initiatives, research publications, and organizes events to drive growth across Chicagoland. Its work includes business development, workforce development, global strategic initiatives, and innovation support through programs such as Chicago 2050, SelectCHI, the Chicago Venture Summit, and the Research Center (which publishes the Economic Dashboard, white papers, and the Chicago Business Bulletin).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance: An initiative/coalition led by WBC to amplify climate tech innovation and foster a sustainable future, with founding partners including State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Evergreen Climate Innovations, Invenergy, ComEd, Nicor Gas, P33, People's Gas, and Jones Lang LaSalle.
• Chicago Sister Cities International
• ChiForward
• SelectCHI
• Chicago Venture Summit
• The Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP)

Products and services

• SelectCHI Annual international investment summit convening executives from 30+ countries to showcase Chicago as a destination for U.S. business and investment.
• Chicago Venture Summit Annual summit organized with Mayor Brandon Johnson connecting healthcare and life sciences startups with investors and corporate leaders.
• Chicago International Gala Marquee international event bringing together business and civic leaders to support economic development in Chicagoland.
• ChiForward Proactive global capital strategy competing for international investment, expanding Chicago's consideration in priority global markets and strengthening foreign pipelines.
• WBC Research Center Research publication service producing the Economic Dashboard, white papers, the Chicago Business Bulletin, and industry-specific data-driven reports on the Chicagoland economy.
• Chicago 2050 Data-driven coordinated regional strategy aimed at growing jobs, investment, and confidence with a target of a $1.4 trillion regional economy and 5.05 million jobs by 2050.
• ThinkChicago Workforce and talent attraction program designed to bring skilled graduates and professionals to Chicago's growing industries.
• Chicago Sister Cities International Initiative connecting Chicago with 28 sister cities through cultural arts, global education, international business, and government exchange programs.
• Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) Regional economic collaboration between Chicago and seven counties (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will) coordinating economic development and attracting global investment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 223 business expansions, relocations, or new market entries in 2025 — highest level on record
• +4 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Grainger College of Engineering at University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Sponsor of the 2026 Chicago Venture Summit focused on healthcare and life sciences innovation.
• MicrosoftmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Sponsor of the 2026 Chicago Venture Summit focused on healthcare and life sciences innovation.
• MATTERmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2026Healthcare innovation hub and sponsor of the 2026 Chicago Venture Summit. MATTER is a Chicago-based healthcare technology incubator and accelerator.
• Shapack PartnersmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 June 2026Real estate partner providing venue for Chicago Venture Summit at their Fulton Market District location.
• Kazakhstan GovernmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Exploring cooperation in innovation, technology, and investment following meetings at Central Asia Business Expo Chicago 2026. Discussions focused on agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics, digital technologies, and innovation.
• City of ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary governmental partner providing municipal support and coordination for economic development initiatives. Mayor Brandon Johnson serves as a key figure in WBC programming.
• State of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level governmental partner supporting economic development initiatives and funding programs.
• Cook CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty-level governmental partner in the GCEP regional economic collaboration covering seven counties.
• Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic collaboration between Chicago and Seven Counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will, working to attract and grow global investment.
• Chicagoland Climate Investment AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance amplifying climate tech innovation and fostering a sustainable future. Founding partners include: State of Illinois, World Business Chicago, City of Chicago, Evergreen Climate Innovations, Invenergy, ComEd, Nicor Gas, P33, People's Gas, and Jones Lang LaSalle. Coalition members include 1871, mHUB, Current, Dynamo Energy Hub, Northwestern University, and others.
• Evergreen Climate InnovationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance, supporting commercialization of climate technologies.
• InvenergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance.
• ComEdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner of the Chicagoland Climate Investment Alliance, supporting clean energy infrastructure.
• Chicago Sister Cities InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA WBC initiative connecting Chicago with its 28 sister cities through cultural arts, global education, international business, and government exchange programs.
• ChiForwardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWBC's proactive global capital strategy competing for international investment by expanding Chicago's consideration in priority global markets and strengthening foreign pipelines.
• University of Illinois SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner providing talent pipeline and research collaboration, with Governor's involvement in economic initiatives.
• Chicago-China Gateway Cities PartnershipmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2013, connecting Chicago with eight major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. 16 official Chicago delegations have visited China; more than 160 Chinese companies now operate in Chicagoland.
• Chicago Quantum ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the successful effort to designate Chicagoland as an Innovation Technology Hub for Quantum Tech under the CHIPS and Science Act.
• Fermi National Accelerator LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational laboratory in Chicagoland supporting quantum technology research and development initiatives.
• Argonne National LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational laboratory in Chicagoland, home to Q-NEXT quantum research initiative, supporting quantum computing research.
• PsiQuantumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuantum computing company establishing a major campus in South Chicago, representing significant investment in Chicagoland's quantum ecosystem.
• Walder FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation supporting life science research and innovation in Chicago, advocating for ARPA-H location in Chicago.
• Chicago Biomedical ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between UChicago, Northwestern, and UIC funding biomedical research that becomes breakthrough medicines, advocating for ARPA-H in Chicago.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• MassDevelopment: MassDevelopment is Massachusetts' quasi-public economic development finance and development agency, supporting corporate attraction, real estate, and infrastructure investment. It is comparable to WBC in mission, public-private operating model, and breadth of business development services.
• Greater Houston Partnership: The Greater Houston Partnership is a public-private regional economic development organization leading corporate attraction, expansion, and international investment promotion for the Houston region. It mirrors WBC's public-private structure, regional coordination role, and focus on industry diversification.
• Choose New Jersey: Choose New Jersey is the state's private, non-profit economic development organization leading corporate attraction and business marketing. It mirrors WBC's non-profit, public-private partnership structure, focus on inbound corporate engagement, and use of marquee events to promote the state as a business destination.
• New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC): NYCEDC is a non-profit public benefit corporation driving economic development across New York City's five boroughs. It is the closest functional peer to WBC: a municipal-level agency executing corporate attraction, real estate, and industry development programs with a comparable public-private governance model.
• Miami-Dade Beacon Council: The Beacon Council is Miami-Dade County's official public-private economic development partnership, leading corporate attraction, expansion, and international trade promotion. Comparable to WBC in operating model, KPI-driven approach (One Community One Goal), and emphasis on industry diversification.
• Invest Atlanta: Invest Atlanta is the City of Atlanta's economic development authority, leading corporate attraction, real estate development, and small-business support. It is a direct functional peer to WBC: a municipal economic development body executing relocations, expansion incentives, and inclusive growth programs.
• Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC): LAEDC is a public-benefit, public-private economic development organization serving Los Angeles County. Like WBC, it focuses on corporate attraction, retention, and expansion, publishes economic research, and operates with a non-profit governance model tied to municipal stakeholders.
• San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD): SF OEWD is the City of San Francisco's municipal economic development agency, executing programs in business attraction, workforce development, and inclusive growth. It is a public-sector peer with comparable mandate to WBC for a major global city.
• Greater Philadelphia's Select Greater Philadelphia: Select Greater Philadelphia is the regional public-private economic development marketing organization for the 11-county Philadelphia region. It directly parallels WBC in leading corporate site-selection, expansion, and international business development for a multi-county region.

Regional players

• Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP): CMAP is the regional planning organization for the 7-county Chicago metropolitan area, responsible for land use, transportation, and economic planning. It is comparable to WBC's GCEP coordination role in setting long-horizon regional strategy (e.g., ON TO 2050) but is a planning body rather than a corporate-attraction agency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/worldbizchicago
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/WorldBusinessChicago
• Facebookfacebook.com/WorldBusinessChicago
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/61705
• Instagraminstagram.com/worldbusinesschicago/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about World Business Chicago