Small Business Summit

Small businesses are the backbone of the global economy, and accelerating their success requires insight, innovation and intentional investment. Led by Mastercard’s economist, this session explores Chicago’s small business landscape with a focus on the city’s growth drivers in logistics, advanced manufacturing and specialty food, including micro manufacturers, CPG food entrepreneurs, commercial kitchens, professional service providers and logistics small businesses. Attendees will gain a data-driven view of how entrepreneurs operate and scale today, the challenges they face in accessing capital, managing cash flow and adopting digital commerce, and the trends shaping Chicago’s small business economy.

Chicago small businesses share perspectives on their growth journeys, offering insight into what it takes to succeed and a grounded understanding of the entrepreneurs and enterprises driving the city’s economic vitality.

A fast‑paced rapid‑fire deep dive featuring Mastercard experts sharing sharp insights on AI, cybersecurity, access to capital and alternative data.

This session explores how emerging creators and service-based and technology-driven small businesses, many led by Gen Z entrepreneurs, earn and grow outside traditional models. Mastercard highlights why fast-moving income streams such as digital products, subscriptions and flexible, project-based work challenge legacy banking approaches and where new opportunities exist. Attendees will leave with a clear view of the modern small business economy and how banks can better support it through flexible products, modern underwriting and real-time engagement.