36Squared Business Incubator is a 501c3 organization dedicated to growing the economy of Illinois by assisting entrepreneurs of all abilities. All business development services are provided at no charge.
A portion of our funds received are used to support our annual “Boost” awards.
This event awards up to $1000 to assist physically disabled entrepreneurs launch or grow their businesses
We expect to begin accepting applications for our next round of awards iN EARLY 2024.
Scroll down to see previous years awardees.
A portion of our funds received are used to support our annual “Boost” awards.
This event awards up to $1000 to assist physically disabled entrepreneurs launch or grow their businesses
We expect to begin accepting applications for our next round of awards iN EARLY 2024.
Scroll down to see previous years awardees.
2023 awardees
JOSHUA DIXON: After surviving a tragic pit bull attack at the age of 8, joshua was left with disabling injuries and a long road of surgeries and rehabiliation ahead. Rather than dwell on the negative, joshua has used his experiences to try and help and inspire others with his clothing company admirewear. Congratulations on the Boost award joshua! You're certainly a worthy recipient.
read more about joshua's journey at admirewear.com
read more about joshua's journey at admirewear.com
Harold Bell: This courageous veteran lost his eyesite in vietnam. his dream is to launch a non profit healing center for veterans on chicago's westside. congratulations ON THE BOOST AWARD sir! we hope this brings you one step closer to bringing that dream to fruition.
curtis thomas: THough blind, curtis thomas has been working as a navy cook for decades. he plans to use his boost award to launch his own food business on the north shore.
Congratulations curtis!
Congratulations curtis!
maria rodriguez: both maria and her child suffer from a dibilitating skin condition. because of this, maria created freedomlei state of mind, a line of skin sensitive soaps and bath products .
CONGRATULATIONS maria!
Iris C. Gutiérrez Berríos: Iris' experience with ptsd lead her to launch Gutiérrez Berríos & Co. offering a healing-centered approach to legal and professional services.
CONGRATULATIONS irIS!
Stephon woodley: This is the second time that visually impaired entrepreneur stephon woodley has been awarded the boost award. we commend stephon on hisdedication to building his company, great lakes management INC.
CONGRATULATIONS stephon!
CONGRATULATIONS maria!
Iris C. Gutiérrez Berríos: Iris' experience with ptsd lead her to launch Gutiérrez Berríos & Co. offering a healing-centered approach to legal and professional services.
CONGRATULATIONS irIS!
Stephon woodley: This is the second time that visually impaired entrepreneur stephon woodley has been awarded the boost award. we commend stephon on hisdedication to building his company, great lakes management INC.
CONGRATULATIONS stephon!
2022 AWARDEES
Brittany King: AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE IN 2009 , BRITTANY LEARNED FIRST HAND THE FRUSTRATION OF VISITING RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUES THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AS DISABLED ACCESSIBLE AS ADVERTISED. THIS LED HER TO DEVELOP THE CHICAGO ACCESS APP. THIS UNIQUE APPLICATION ALLOWS DISABLED CHICAGOANS TO LEARN IN ADVANCE IF A VENUE IS TRULY ACCESSIBLE OR NOT. She will be using her funds to HELP EXPAND AVAILABILITY OF HER APP TO APPLE USERS.
Calvette Brown: As a severly visually impaired individual, Calvette realized the problem that the disabled communit y had with trying to avoid physical contact during the pandemic.
this led her to develop the guiders shield, a product that safely provides a barrier between people with disabilities and the providers that assist them. She is using her boost award to fund her particpation in product conventione .
this led her to develop the guiders shield, a product that safely provides a barrier between people with disabilities and the providers that assist them. She is using her boost award to fund her particpation in product conventione .
Stephon Woodley permanently lost his vision but didn't allow this to stop his industrious nature. He himself to development in logistics and management. He will be using his funds for accounting and software.
Magdelena Rebisz is the owner and founder of Multi Physical Therapy. Struggling with visual impairment, it has been her dream to open her own physical therapy office. She will be using her funds to purchase a laptop and support her business.
Alexandra Weber's life changed when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She found a passion for travel and began a business based on sharing that love of foreign countries and art. She will be using the funds for a color printer and stock.
2021 Awardees
Keelie Banks: Suga Bakers, founded by Keelie Banks, is an online bakery specializing is in gourmet
southern-style desserts. Keelie has a genetic eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which causes vision loss and can eventually lead to blindness. She plans on using her $1000 award for marketing and advertising her business
southern-style desserts. Keelie has a genetic eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa, which causes vision loss and can eventually lead to blindness. She plans on using her $1000 award for marketing and advertising her business
Bob Shea: Bob is the founder of Devices 4 The Disabled. This organization provides medical equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.) to people in need at no cost. He personally has the neurological disease Guillain-Barre Syndrome. His $800 award will pay for the batteries for two power wheelchairs.
Jim Turk: . Jim Turk is the founder of Fight Back Self Defense. His business provides self-defense training for the blind and visually impaired like himself. He plans to use the $800 award will to expand his social media marketing and upgrade his website.
Carlos Flores: Carlos was an award-winning author, sales trainer and public speaker when in 2015 he suffered a stroke and developed Aphasia losing the ability to read, write, and speak. He’ll be using his $800 Boost award to purchase inventory for his online jewelry business.
2020 Awardees
Amaechi Ozegbe- An immigrant from Nigeria, Amaechi worked hard to establish a successful Chicago Fish and Chicken restaurant on Chicago's south side. A few years ago Amaechi lost his eyesight during emergency brain surgery. This resulted in the loss of his business. Shortly thereafter his wife passed away, leaving him a single parent. We look forward to assisting Amaechi in planning and launching his new eatery.
George Melendez- After working as a successful contractor and musician for a number of years George lost eyesight. He has spent the last few years taking classes at the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services and is now ready to launch his own recording studio.
Magdalena R. A visually impaired, polish immigrant and licensed physical therapist, Magdalena was referred by DRS and is ready to set up her own practice.
Alex Ruiz- former Disney animator Alex Ruiz lost his eyesight in an auto accident a few years ago. He received a partial boost award last year which he used to incorporate. He applied again in 2020 for a lesser amount to secure time at a production facility.
Congratulations to all our 2020 Boost Awardees!
George Melendez- After working as a successful contractor and musician for a number of years George lost eyesight. He has spent the last few years taking classes at the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services and is now ready to launch his own recording studio.
Magdalena R. A visually impaired, polish immigrant and licensed physical therapist, Magdalena was referred by DRS and is ready to set up her own practice.
Alex Ruiz- former Disney animator Alex Ruiz lost his eyesight in an auto accident a few years ago. He received a partial boost award last year which he used to incorporate. He applied again in 2020 for a lesser amount to secure time at a production facility.
Congratulations to all our 2020 Boost Awardees!
2019 Awardees
Laura MartinezWhen Chef Laura Martinez opened her
Lincoln Park restaurant in 2014, she became the first completely blind Chef to start her own restaurant in the country.! Chef operated La Diosa successfully for four years and closed it down in 2018. After a short hiatus , Chef is now ready for a challenge and will be using the Boost award to help fund her new restaurant. Bravo Chef! |
Jackie WallTwenty nine years ago Jackie Wall was born, three months early, with cerebral palsy. She was not expected to survive. Not only did Jackie prove the experts wrong, she also graduated from high school with honors, studied art at college and launched her own custom embroidery business-Just a Stitch of J! Jackie will be using the Boost award to purchase new software and supplies so she can expand her offerings and increase her customer base. Gongratulations Jackie!
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Syanord CarterIn 2003, trucker Syanord Carter suffered devastating injuries from an accident that left him in chronic pain and unable to work. He has slowly worked his way back and launched his own company-Smart Transit Solutions. We're hoping this Boost award helps Syanord take Smart Transit Solutions to the next level. Good Luck Syanord!
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Alex RuizAlex Ruiz was an animator with Disney, voice over artist, and Chef before he was injured in a devastating car accident. He lost one eye completely and had vision severely impaired in the other. Undaunted, Alex is now planning on launching his own production company, Casa De Cukoo Productions. The Boost award is going to be used to help make that dream a reality. Congratulations Alex!
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Andre MackThough blind, Andre Mack started his own ATM business, Big Mack LLC. Andre plans on using the Boost award to expand his business and find new locations for his new machines. Good Luck Andre!
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2018 Awardees
Justin CooperOur winner Justin Cooper is the owner of Cooper Industries and has done a documentary series called the Wheelchair Chronicles. With his grant award he will be purchases equipment to support his company.
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Roel CanoRoel Cano was a semi truck driver until four years ago when lost his vision completely due to medical complications. The Boost funds will go towards purchasing a truck, hiring drivers, and launching his own trucking company.
Update 2019: Roel successfully launched his company , Cano Logistics and now has TWO trucks on the road every day. Additional vehicles and further expansion is on the drawing board. You go Roel! |
Windy City PlatesOur winner Windy City Plates is made up of 10 individuals with a variety of disabilities that have formed together to create a variety of custom printed mugs and plates. They will be using their award funds to purchase ink and supplies. Congratulations Windy City Plates!
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