CEC Issues RFP for Entrepreneurial Advisory Services

The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) invites Proposals from Consultants skilled in assessing the business models and growth strategies of early-stage, entrepreneurial ventures to determine key priorities and resource gaps; and in developing and executing against action plans to help such ventures achieve sustainable wealth and job creation. The selected Respondent(s) will serve as both a primary business advisor to a portfolio of CEC clients, as well as a strategic advisor to CEC on best practices for its entrepreneurial advisory services.

SEALED PROPOSALS will be received by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center at its office, 200 East Randolph Street, 22nd Floor, Chicago, Illinois, 60601, until 4:00 P.M. Central Standard Time on Friday, October 22, 2010. All Proposals must be only in the form prescribed by the CEC and must be made in accordance with this Invitation for Proposals and related RFP document, accessible via this website link:

http://www.chicagolandec.org/upload/CEClibDoc_217.pdf

Copies of such documents can also be obtained via written request to the attention of Jasmine Crawford at jasmine@chicagolandec.org or at Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, 200 E. Randolph St., 22nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60601. The CEC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. If you are a vendor with a disability or need assistance regarding the invitation, please call the CEC at 312-494-6792.

About the CEC

Organizational Background

The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) is a nonprofit affiliate of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce that seeks to make a perceptible and lasting economic impact by helping Illinois entrepreneurs to build viable, sustainable, and profitable enterprises.  We provide advisory business services focused on sales and financing for high-growth, early-stage ventures.  While our services are offered pro bono to our clients, all companies go through a rigorous evaluation process to be selected as CEC clients. The majority of our clients is headquartered in Northeastern Illinois and represents the technology, retail and consumer products, and alternative energy industries.

The CEC is a member of the Illinois Entrepreneurship Network sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.  Additional funding is provided by corporations, foundations, government entities including federal agencies, universities and individual patrons who support our mission and service methodology.  Since 2003, CEC has helped its clients to secure $242 million in private sector sales, to raise $143 million in equity and debt financing, and to create and retain over 6,000 jobs.