2026 Consumers Cooperative Association Business Incubator Grant
Introduction
CCA Supports Startups
Consumers Cooperative Association is excited to launch its new CCU Business Incubator Grant program to help early-stage startups turn their big ideas into success stories.
The top three applicants will be invited to pitch their business ideas during a live “Shark Tank”-style competition for the opportunity to receive:
Grand prize: $10,000
Second prize: $7,500
Third prize: $5,000
Applications open: October 1, 2026
Application deadline: October 31, 2026
Finalists must be available to participate in person at the case competition from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on December 3, 2026, at CCU headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Qualifications
Applicant must be 18 years old
Business must be based in/operating from Lake, DuPage, Cook, Kane, or McHenry counties of Illinois
Finalists must be available to participate in person at the case competition from 4:30-8pm on December 3, 2026, at CCU headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois