About the Company

Momentum Coffee and Coworking is a dual-purpose space in Chicago’s South Loop offering a café atmosphere combined with a coworking incubator. Operated by Ignite Technology and Innovation, a nonprofit dedicated to economic empowerment in under-resourced communities, the business emphasizes accessibility, entrepreneurship, and community. Their mission includes providing mentorship, resources, and technology access to help entrepreneurs thrive.

The company’s space doubles as a café open to the public and a resource hub for its coworking members. It offers coffee, event hosting, and a collaborative work environment. Founders Tracy Powell and Nikki Bravo, with decades of experience in real estate, nonprofit management, and economic development, leverage their backgrounds to advance the venture’s goals.

Momentum Coffee has received recognition, including a feature by NBC Sports Chicago, and continues to grow as it recovers from pandemic challenges. It serves as a testament to resilient and mission-driven entrepreneurship.

Idea Behind Company

Tracy Powell and Nikki Bravo conceived Momentum Coffee and Coworking to address economic disparities in underserved areas. Tracy’s background in urban real estate development and his involvement in tech-focused ventures inspired the idea of a coworking space that also reduces the technological divide. Nikki’s extensive nonprofit management experience further shaped their vision of creating accessible resources for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

Before Momentum Coffee, Tracy founded Blue Venture Partners, a software development firm, and Blue Fund Rewards, a crowdfunding platform. These initiatives laid the groundwork for Ignite Technology and Innovation, which launched coworking spaces like Blue Lacuna in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood. Nikki’s experience in community-focused projects, including workforce development programs, also contributed to the concept of integrating coffee and coworking.

Their shared goal was to empower small businesses and communities while fostering innovation. By merging their experiences and leveraging community partnerships, they developed a sustainable model that combines coworking and coffee culture.

Creating the Company

Building Momentum Coffee and Coworking during the 2020 pandemic involved navigating numerous challenges. After securing a location and funding, the team dealt with construction, licensing, and health inspections. Despite setbacks caused by the pandemic, including operational restrictions, they pressed forward and launched their business.

Key to their success was forming strong partnerships. They collaborated with food and coffee vendors, artists, and local app developers for mobile ordering. These relationships helped Momentum Coffee pivot from its original plan of creating an indoor community space to safely serving customers during the pandemic.

The founders focused on creating a warm and inviting environment while ensuring excellent customer service. Their commitment to mission-aligned partnerships allowed them to adapt to the "new normal" and maintain operations despite the odds.

Launching the Business

Momentum Coffee opened its doors in May 2020, just as COVID-19 restrictions tightened. Initially, operations were minimal, with 7–10 daily customers. The team utilized a mobile app for indie coffee shops and relied on outdoor service to maintain business. Social media campaigns and local community group engagement helped spread the word, driving awareness and support.

The founders joined initiatives like #shopsmall and #shoplocal to build a customer base. They also prioritized creating a recognizable brand through their logo and strong online presence. Community support played a significant role in their initial success as locals rallied behind their vision.

Despite early staffing and supply chain challenges, the company saw steady growth. Today, Momentum Coffee serves a growing customer base and plans to expand to new locations in Chicago's Englewood and North Lawndale neighborhoods.

Earnings

Momentum Coffee and Coworking generates $17,000–$20,000 in monthly revenue, with projections improving as pandemic restrictions ease. In its first year, the business served over 4,000 customers and continues to see steady growth. Expansion plans include two smaller-scale locations, which will maintain the same focus on coffee, coworking, and community.

The founders attribute their financial progress to strategic marketing, high-quality service, and mission-aligned partnerships. Investments from Community Development Financial Institutions and their own resources helped secure the company’s foundation. Their future goals include further expansion and enhancing the resources available to underserved entrepreneurs, keeping their mission of empowerment at the core of their growth strategy.