About
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
IS OUR BUSINESS.
World Business Chicago is the official economic development organization of the City of Chicago. We connect companies, investors, and partners with everything Chicago has to offer: talent, opportunity, infrastructure, and a region built for growth.
Whether you're expanding, relocating, or investing, we're here to help.
Our Mission
World Business Chicago ignites economic growth by attracting and expanding companies, industries, jobs, relationships and investment at a global scale – expanding opportunity for all.
What We Do
It’s simple: we help you grow in Chicago. World Business Chicago clears the path for success by unlocking growth, removing friction, curating connections and making opportunity accessible.
Our team of experts provides strategic, no-cost support across every stage of your expansion into the Chicagoland region.
Our business services include:
Site selection and market intelligence
Incentives and financial tools navigation
Workforce and talent connections
Venture capital matchmaking
Innovation ecosystem access
Foreign investment support
Our Region Works Together
Chicago's strength doesn't stop at the city limits. Through the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, we unite the region's assets into a single, powerful voice for economic development.
We Connect Chicago To The World
We manage international relations on behalf of the City of Chicago, serving as the key liaison between Chicago and its global partners – including the Chicago Consular Corps and 28 active sister cities across the globe.
We also provide foreign direct investment support to global companies looking to invest in Chicago. Read more about our international engagement below.
Join Our Next Convening
World Business Chicago drives year-round programming that keeps Chicago's economy competitive and connected – spanning global diplomacy, workforce and sector development, and venture innovation.
See Economic Research and Impactful Data
World Business Chicago tracks the data behind Chicago's economy needed to make informed decisions. Our Research Center delivers data-driven insights, economic analysis, and strategic intelligence to support business growth, investment attraction, policy development, and regional competitiveness across the city of Chicago and Chicagoland.
A Coordinated, Regional Strategy For Economic Growth
Our economic development strategy is guided by Chicago 2050, the region’s first major unified economic roadmap in over a decade to guide job creation, investment, and inclusive growth through 2050.
Read about our priority industries and strategies for growth, including business attraction, future readiness, and quality of life promotion, in the full report below.
The People Behind The Work
World Business Chicago is a lean, high-performing team of mission-driven professionals working at the intersection of business and civic life. Our Board of Directors is comprised of the most influential and connected executives doing business in Chicago.
Learn more about our staff and board of directors shaping Chicago's economic future.
Ready To Grow In Chicago?
Let’s connect and explore what Chicago can do for your business. Our team is here to help – at no cost, with no obligation.
Join The Team
Want to be part of building Chicago's future? We're always looking for mission-aligned people to join our team.