Postindustrial Highlights the ACHIEVE Summit and the Southland’s Entrepreneurial Momentum
The Southland Development Authority (SDA) was recently featured in a new article from Postindustrial examining everything ACHIEVE 2026 is about. Entrepreneurship. Investment. And economic growth across Chicago’s Southland region.
The story focuses heavily on the fast-approaching 2026 ACHIEVE Summit. There is, as mentioned, a growing push to connect entrepreneurs, investors and legacy business owners throughout the South Suburbs.
The article explores several major themes behind this year’s summit. Entrepreneurship through acquisition. Then business succession planning. And finally, the growing need to help retiring business owners transition companies to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
“Every day, roughly 10,000 baby boomers retire, and many of them own businesses without a clear succession plan,” SDA CEO Bo Kemp told Postindustrial. “That creates both a risk for communities and a real opportunity for new entrepreneurs to step in and carry those businesses forward.”
The feature also highlights the SDA’s broader economic development work across the Southland. From support for businesses, to workforce initiatives, and development projects. As well as its investment activity throughout the region.
The piece also explores how the ACHIEVE Summit is evolving into a major networking and dealmaking platform. One designed exclusively to connect entrepreneurs with capital, partnerships and acquisition opportunities.
