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 2025.
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 2025.
Scroll down to see previous years awardees.
2024 Awardees
Sahory Velázquez: She aims to open a bakery with the mission of supporting and employing people with disabilities. Her own disability, stemming from a childhood tumor, affects her reading and writing abilities. She plans to utilize the funds to purchase a commercial oven, a crucial component for launching her bakery.
Cosntantine Zografopoulos(Gus): Gus is a seasoned businessman with 40 years of experience in the food service industry. He serves as the director of the Z Life Organization, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Illinois. Additionally, he is the founder of the Beyond the Waters Beach Party in Chicago. Despite being an amputee from a car accident, he remains dedicated to his work and aims to utilize the funds for the benefit of the Z Life Organization.
Jose Roman: Jose's I Love You ASL Organizer Stand offers a pioneering solution for hearing aid storage. As the first of its kind, it meets a crucial need for deaf individuals. With funds, Jose plans to customize the product further, ensuring wider accessibility. Sized at 9" x 5" x 5", it reflects Jose's commitment to addressing the challenges faced by those with hearing impairments. Jose is deaf.
Krizia Walker-Riley: Krizia has founded HNDL (Highlighted Neurodivergent & Disabled Life), an art magazine showcasing the work of neurodivergent, disabled, mentally ill, or chronically ill creatives. Krizia, who is autistic and chronically ill, along with her team, has already published three issues with two more in progress. They now aim to expand with art pop-ups and other projects. If awarded, the funds will be allocated towards booths, computer equipment, Adobe Creative Cloud subscriptions, a guillotine paper cutter, and other office supplies essential for business operations.
Kennedy Healy: Kennedy has made a disabliity midea company for the disabled. They have a podcast that covers topics through disability lens and hs a a blog that analizes and represents verious types of disabilities. They also cover consultation services on disability and accessibilites. They have a neuromuscular disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. They are wheelchair bound.
Sayumi McGrattan: From her home she has a Dog Sitting business she would like to update the doggy play area, get nessesities such as food bowl, food, treats and kennels for the dogs, she would also like to make the play area more wheelchair acessible for her to supervise the dogs. Due to her health she had to greatly reduce the number of dogs she takes in. Her disablilaties are lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, POTS, Sjögren’s syndrome, and Crohn’s disease.
Andre Johnson: LiveEquipd is providing a comprehensive and efficient solution for rehabilitation healthcare organizations, focusing on streamlining the equipment procurement process for patients with paralysis-related disabilities. Andre is wheelchair bound.
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.
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