Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

What Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce does

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization, founded in 1990 as the Mexican American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and rebranded under its current name in 2002. Headquartered at 180 North Michigan Avenue in Chicago, IHCC functions as the largest community of Hispanic business owners in Illinois and the Midwest, representing more than 100,000 businesses across a Latino population with an estimated $53 billion in purchasing power in the state. The organization operates a portfolio of federally, state-, and county-funded business development programs — including the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Illinois APEX Accelerator Program (formerly PTAC), the Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program, the Cook County Small Business Source, and the LTNtech tech incubator (a partnership with 1871) — alongside policy research via the Latino Business Policy Institute and emergency support through the Resilient Communities Initiative.

IHCC generates revenue through three primary streams: tiered annual membership dues (Corporate $7,500, Elite $3,500, Premier $1,500, Signature $500, Micro Business $300), corporate sponsorships and ticketed event revenue from signature annual events (Annual Business Conference & Expo at Navy Pier, Day of the Dead Gala, Mulligans & Mariachis Golf Outing, networking breakfasts), and cooperative-agreement funding from government partners including the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Transportation, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and Cook County. The affiliated 501(c)(3) IHCC Foundation complements the chamber by delivering educational programs and operating as the receiving vehicle for philanthropic contributions.

The organization is led by President & CEO Jaime di Paulo (in seat since approximately 2019) with a Board of Directors chaired by Socorro Vazquez (appointed December 2025). Its customer base is bifurcated: a long tail of individual Hispanic entrepreneurs and small businesses served via no-cost advising, alongside a smaller roster of corporate members (90+ partner organizations) paying the higher membership tiers for supplier diversity, networking, and event access. Distribution occurs primarily through direct field engagement at IHCC's Chicago headquarters, regionally via the Cook County Source and SBDC networks, and digitally through social media, a weekly podcast (The Latino Business Journey), newsletters, and research publications.

Name

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://ihccbusiness.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is a Chicago-based 501(c)(6) nonprofit, founded in 1990, that supports more than 100,000 Hispanic-owned businesses across Illinois and the Midwest through no-cost advising, government contracting assistance, tech incubation via a partnership with 1871, and tiered membership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Business Development Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (813920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Hispanic business advocacy
• Small business development
• Government contracting assistance
• Chamber of commerce membership
• Entrepreneur training programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at multiple tiers (Corporate $7,500, Elite $3,500, Premier $1,500, Signature $500, Micro Business $300) providing access to networking events, workshops, referrals, and member benefits
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from events including Annual Business Conference & Expo, Day of the Dead Gala, Mulligans & Mariachis Golf Outing, and networking breakfasts. Tickets sold at various price points for attendees and sponsorships for exhibitors.
3. Government Program Administration: IHCC administers multiple government-funded programs including SBDC, Illinois APEX Accelerator (formerly PTAC), Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program, and Cook County Small Business Source - providing no-cost services to businesses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IHCC operates as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit chamber of commerce delivering a portfolio of business development programs for Hispanic entrepreneurs and small businesses in Illinois, including no-cost advising through the Illinois SBDC, Cook County Small Business Source, Illinois APEX Accelerator, Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program, Small Business Transportation Resource Center, and Bonding Education Program; tech incubation through the LTNtech partnership with 1871; policy advocacy via the Latino Business Policy Institute; emergency microgrants through the Resilient Communities Initiative; tiered annual membership (Micro Business $300 to Corporate $7,500); and signature paid events such as the Annual Business Conference & Expo, Day of the Dead Gala, and Mulligans & Mariachis Golf Outing.

Product overview

The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is a non-profit organization incorporated as a 501(c)(6) that operates as a portfolio of business development programs and services rather than a single product. The organization provides a suite of programs including the Cook County Small Business Source, Illinois SBDC, Latino Business Policy Institute, LTNtech tech incubator, Illinois APEX Accelerator, Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program, Resilient Communities Initiative, and IHCC Foundation. These programs are complemented by signature events (Annual Business Conference & Expo, Day of the Dead Gala, Mulligans & Mariachis Golf Outing), The Latino Business Journey Podcast, and membership tiers. The programs work together to support Hispanic entrepreneurs through advising, government contracting assistance, technology incubation, emergency relief, and community networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IHCC Foundation: 501(c)(3) foundation that develops and provides business, economic development, and entrepreneurial educational programs
• LTNtech Incubator
• Latino Business Policy Institute
• Resilient Communities Initiative
• The Latino Business Journey Podcast
• IHCC Annual Business Conference & Expo

Products and services

• Cook County Small Business Source Provides one-on-one business advising to address the unique needs of businesses at no cost, serving businesses anywhere in Cook County.
• Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Offers no-cost advising dedicated to helping new entrepreneurs realize their dream of business ownership and helps existing businesses access networks and resources to grow.
• Latino Business Policy Institute Established to champion new policies and legislation on all levels of government that will benefit the future of Latino businesses in Illinois, focusing on research and data generation with partnering universities.
• LTNtech Incubator First-of-its-kind partnership between IHCC and 1871 to help Latinx entrepreneurs thrive in the Chicago tech economy, featuring 1871's PYROS core curriculum with three stages: Explore, Build, and Launch.
• Illinois APEX Accelerator Program Advises business owners on how to maximize opportunities and get exposed to local, statewide, and federal government agencies, offering certification assistance (M/WBE, DBE, VOSB, SDVOSB, 8(a)), business counseling, and help identifying government buyers.
• Illinois Tollway Technical Assistance Program Prepares emerging and established transportation-related construction and professional engineering services firms, including small, diverse, and veteran-owned businesses, to participate on highway and vertical construction projects.
• Resilient Communities Initiative Supports small businesses and neighborhoods impacted by immigration enforcement through immediate microgrants, shop local campaigns, and resources to help entrepreneurs navigate challenges, in collaboration with the General Consulate of Mexico in Chicago.
• IHCC Foundation 501(c)(3) foundation that develops and provides business, economic development, and entrepreneurial educational programs to enhance business practices and increase the success of Hispanic entrepreneurs.
• IHCC Annual Business Conference & Expo Midwest's largest single-day business conference held at Navy Pier featuring over 90 exhibitors, expert-led workshops, targeted matchmaking, and thousands of attendees from across sectors.
• Day of the Dead Gala Annual gala celebrating Día de los Muertos while supporting the IHCC mission to empower the business community.
• Mulligans & Mariachis Golf Outing Annual golf outing event combining networking with celebration, featuring live music and community building.
• Bonding Education Program U.S. Department of Transportation program partnering with The Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA) to help small businesses become bond-ready for transportation-related contracts.
• Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC) Dedicated to help and support small and disadvantaged businesses interested in participating in transportation-related projects throughout the Great Lakes Region.
• IHCC Membership Programs Membership tiers including Corporate ($7,500), Elite ($3,500), Premier ($1,500), Signature ($500), and Micro Business ($300) offering networking, event tickets, social media exposure, referrals, and access to Members-Only workshops.

Quantifiable outcome

• $606K in non-debt finance acquired through SBDC in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Aspen Institute - Latinos and Society Program (AILAS)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021IHCC serves as anchor for AILAS executive level working group and the Latino Business Policy Institute. The 12-month Learning and Action Lab program integrates high-level Latino business leaders in the Midwest into the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Steering Committee.
• 1871 Tech IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst-of-its-kind partnership between IHCC and 1871 to help Latinx entrepreneurs thrive in the Chicago tech economy. LTNtech incubator provides PYROS core curriculum with Explore, Build, and Launch stages, one-on-one coaching with Latin mentors, and access to 1871's network of connections and resources.
• Brennan School of Business, Dominican UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint research project on internationalization of Hispanic-owned businesses in Illinois, combining academic research with IHCC's business network.
• Latino Business Policy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished by IHCC in 2021 with purpose of championing new policies and legislation benefiting Latino businesses. Focus on research and data generation with partnering universities.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreOthersFunded in part through Cooperative Agreement with SBA for the Illinois SBDC program at IHCC.
• Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)coreOthersCooperative funding partner with SBA for SBDC and other programs.
• Google.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferenced as collaborator on digital inclusion research and initiatives for Latino entrepreneurs.
• General Consulate of Mexico in ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Tools to Protect Your Business initiative providing resources for small business owners in immigration enforcement scenarios.
• ICIRR Family Support NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to connect immigrant communities throughout Illinois to support services.
• Birg LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal professional providing guidance on Power of Attorney and business protection tools.
• TalentSOLminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMental health support, crisis coaching, and leadership development services for entrepreneurs.
• Lane Chicago LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerImmigration and business law services including employment-based visas, green cards, and business formation.
• Tristan & Cervantes LawminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAdministrative, regulatory, commercial litigation, real estate and development legal services.
• Department of DefensecoreOthersFunded in part through cooperative agreement with DoD for the Illinois APEX Accelerator Program.
• U.S. Department of Transportation - Bonding Education ProgramcoreOthersDOT's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization program helping small businesses become bond ready.
• Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with SFAA for the Bonding Education Program to help small businesses become bondable.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Emerging players

• SCORE Chicago: Local chapter of the national SCORE mentoring network. Provides overlapping small business advisory services, partially competing for the same Illinois small business client base as IHCC's SBDC and Cook County programs.
• Women's Business Development Center: Chicago-based nonprofit delivering business development programs to women entrepreneurs. Comparable operating model (SBDC-deliverer, program-driven, government-funded) targeting a different demographic segment.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Chamber of Commerce: General business chamber for the Chicago metro. Operates the same local territory as IHCC with broader (non-ethnic-specific) membership and larger event scale, representing the mainstream incumbent IHCC differentiates against.
• Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): Federal agency supporting minority business growth. Overlaps in mission, supplier diversity focus, and government contracting assistance, though as a federal entity rather than a membership-based association.
• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: National umbrella organization for Hispanic chambers and business associations. Directly comparable as a peer Hispanic business association, but operating at national scale with policy advocacy focus rather than regional program delivery.
• National Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Another national Hispanic business chamber advocating for Hispanic-owned business growth. Comparable mission and member base, but with national reach and a different program portfolio.
• Illinois SBDC Network (at SIU): Statewide Illinois SBDC network headquartered at Southern Illinois University. IHCC operates as one SBDC host within this network, making it both a peer and a sub-host; comparable in service delivery model but with broader geographic mandate.

Direct peers

• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin: Midwest regional Hispanic chamber of commerce. Comparable in scope and target demographic, providing a useful like-for-like regional benchmark for membership, programs, and government contracting support.
• Greater New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: Regional Hispanic chamber of commerce serving New York metro Hispanic businesses. Most structurally comparable peer, with similar membership tiers, business development programs, and event-driven engagement model.

Others

• 1871 (Tech Incubator): Chicago tech incubator and IHCC's LTNtech partner. Comparable in the technology incubation domain where they co-deliver programs, and structurally relevant as the infrastructure provider for IHCC's Latinx tech initiative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ihccbusiness
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCl3R5Qx9EFAWn_Yemv0EOFQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ihccbusiness
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinois-hispanic-chamber-of-commerce
• Instagraminstagram.com/ihccbusiness
• TikToktiktok.com/@ihccbusiness

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce