Food Business Incubation
Launch and grow food businesses through expert mentorship, business coaching, and an entrepreneurial community.
The Hatchery
A nonprofit food business incubator empowering entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and scale successful food and beverage businesses.
FROM IDEA TO MARKET
Commercial Kitchen Facilities
Access licensed commercial kitchens, food production equipment, storage, and manufacturing space for food business
Entrepreneur Membership
Gain access to business development services, networking events, industry advisors, and financial assistance resources
Business Education
Participate in expert-led classes covering food business startup fundamentals, food safety, operations, and many more.
Access to Financing & Growth Capital
Access financing resources, lender connections, and guidance to help secure capital for business growth
Food Innovation & Product Development Support
Bring new food products to market faster with recipe scaling, product testing, packaging development & commercialization
TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS
SUPPORTING FOOD BUSINESS SUCCESS
500+
FOOD BUSINESSES SUPPORTED
100+
WORKSHOPS & EVENTS EACH YEAR
67K sq. ft.
INNOVATION & PRODUCTION FACILITY
25+
NEW COMPANIES SUPPORTED ANUALLY
WELCOME TO THE HATCHERY
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Upcoming events & trainings
No upcoming events to view
Food-Tech, Ingredients & Others
Price: Free
mHUB Community BBQ
Jul 16, 2026
4:30 pm CDT
In person
The Hatchery
Food-Tech, Ingredients & Others
Price: Free
Starting a Food Business
Jul 14, 2026
4:00 pm CDT
Online
The HatcheryAbout Us
The Hatchery Chicago is a nonprofit food and beverage business incubator dedicated to helping entrepreneurs launch, grow, and scale successful food businesses, through commercial kitchen facilities, business education, mentorship, financing connections, and industry partnerships.
Industries served
Beverage
Industrial Baking & Snack Manufacturing
Retail Processing & Manufacturing
Food-Tech, Ingredients & Others
Capabilities
Community & Workforce Development
Storage & Logistics Support
Industry Networking
Product Commercialization
Entrepreneur Education
Food Safety & Regulatory Guidance
Access to Financing
Business Coaching & Consulting
Food Business Incubation
Commercial Kitchen Access
Trust & compliance
Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards (2020)
Specialty Food Association Leadership Award (2020)
Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards (2020)
Food-Safe Commercial Production Facilities
Recognition
Special Achievement of the YearThe Greater Chicago Food Depository · 2020
MacArthur Foundation Featured GranteeMacArthur Foundation · 2017
The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation AwardChicago Neighborhood Development Awards · 2020
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
“Food entrepreneurs need more than kitchen space—they need access to expertise, financing, mentorship, and community. The Hatchery was built to provide all of these resources under one roof.”
Ready to take your food business further?
Discover the space, education, and community that help entrepreneurs succeed.