Boxville Announces 2025 “Step Up Your Start-Up Competition to Support Local Entrepreneurs

Online applications open February 10 through March 3; participants receive business support, operational space and personalized coaching

Chicago, IL– Boxville®, Chicago’s first shipping container marketplace and small business incubator, is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2025 “Step Up Your Start-Up” Pitch Competition. This initiative is designed to empower local entrepreneurs by providing business development support, operational space and financial assistance to scale their ventures.

Since its official opening in 2017, Boxville®, located in the heart of Bronzeville at 330 E. 51st Street has experienced remarkable growth, now consisting of 22 twenty-foot shipping containers housing a diverse range of businesses. Over the years, it has successfully supported more than 25 box-based enterprises, many of which have expanded into their own brick-and-mortar locations, including Conscious Plates, Da Book Joint, The Hot Dog Box and Stoviink Creatives. Others, including The MKR LAB have grown and thrived in place. Boxville® is committed to fostering a vibrant ecosystem where businesses can test ideas, build customer bases, and establish long-term sustainability.

The Boxville® Pitch Competition aligns with Boxville®’s broader mission to strengthen Bronzeville’s economy and increase awareness of community enterprises. It stems from the success of Urban Juncture’s 2024 Bronzeville Allstate Grants competition, which provided capital to over 50 Bronzeville enterprises.

“We know that access to capital and space remain big barriers for small business owners in our community,” said Bernard Loyd, President at Urban Juncture Foundation, which operates Boxville. “This initiative is more than just about selecting winners. It’s about strengthening our local economy, empowering entrepreneurs and creating a sustainable cycle of investment and patronage. Every dollar spent at a Boxville® business supports local jobs, families and future growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur looking to take your business to the next level or a community member

interested in supporting local businesses, this competition is an exciting opportunity to be part of something impactful.”

The 2025 “Step Up Your Start-Up” Pitch Competition will serve as a launchpad for up to 12 winners, offering them:

• ●  A dedicated business space with rent abatement at Boxville® to operate and grow their ventures
• ●  Cash prizes to support business expansion
• ●  Access to expert-led workshops on financial planning, legal compliance,marketing, and inventory management
• ●  One-on-one advising from business development professionals
• ●  A supportive cohort of fellow entrepreneurs for peer-to-peer networkingSemifinalists will also gain access to free valuable resources, including technical assistance and existing workshops offered through the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Build Bronzeville. Boxville encourages all eligible businesses to apply for the Boxville® Pitch Competition and take advantage of this comprehensive support package. The selection process will focus on identifying businesses that are not only passionate about serving the local community but also have the experience and capability to sustain and grow their operations within Boxville®.Applications open on February 10, 2025, and close on March 3, 2025. Semifinalists will be selected in mid-March, followed by workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions in April. The 12 pitch winners will be announced in June 2025.Even beyond the competition, entrepreneurs are welcome to explore opportunities to establish their presence at Boxville®, as the initiative aims to drive year-round growth for community enterprises.For more information about the 2025 Boxville® Pitch Competition, application details, upcoming workshops, and opportunities to become a vendor, visit boxville.org/.###About Urban JunctureUrban Juncture revitalizes disinvested communities by using culture and innovation to rebuild neighborhood commerce. Boxville®, Chicago’s first shipping container marketplace, provides accessible spaces to neighborhood entrepreneurs and unique

offerings to patrons. Located at 51st and the Green Line, it is driving revitalization of the 51st Street retail corridor. Visit urbanjuncture.org/ for more information.