This free sheet contains 100 accelerators and incubators you can apply to today, along with information about the industries they generally invest in.
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Chicago's startup scene is supported by a variety of accelerator programs. Key players like Alliance DAO have invested in over 100 companies, and Moderne Ventures has seen nearly 30 successful exits.
Programs also focus on specific sectors, with Healthbox backing almost 100 startups in the healthcare field. These accelerators provide different kinds of support for early-stage companies.
Below is our list of the best 24 accelerators and incubators in Chicago.
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Buy It For $97 $297 →Information about the industries, countries, and cities they generally invest in.
Get the Sheet for $50Information about their valuation, HQ's location, founded year, name of founders, funding amount and number of employees.
Get the Sheet for $50List of startup investors in the BioTech, Health, and Medicine industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50List of 250 startup investors in the AI and Machine Learning industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50List of 250 startup investors in the FinTech and Finance industries, along with their Twitter, LinkedIn, and email addresses.
Get the Sheet for $50As a strategic venture capital firm, Moderne Ventures invests in technology companies innovating within the real estate, finance, and insurance sectors. Its signature industry immersion program gives startups access to a vast corporate network, fostering mentorship and crucial pilot opportunities to accelerate growth.
As a healthcare advisory firm, Healthbox helps organizations in the digital health and healthtech space build and launch new strategies. They stand apart by running non-dilutive studio programs, offering strategic guidance and resources without requiring any equity from the companies they support.
Financial Solutions Lab champions fintech and nonprofit solutions designed to improve the financial well-being of underserved communities. With support from partners like JPMorgan Chase, they provide capital and mentorship to scale promising companies, counting major fintech Chime among their alumni.
Through its Financial Solutions Lab, the Financial Health Network supports fintech innovators tackling major consumer financial challenges. The accelerator provides capital, mentorship, and access to a powerful network to help scale companies like Digit and Propel, which focus on improving how people save, borrow, and plan.
Functioning as a leading accelerator and founder community, Alliance DAO champions early-stage projects in the Web3 and blockchain arena. They provide startups with essential mentorship and a powerful network to help them build and scale within the decentralized ecosystem.
REACH helps technology companies focused on the real estate industry to launch and scale their businesses. Backed by the National Association of Realtors, the program provides startups with unparalleled access to industry mentorship and a global network of real estate professionals.
Lofty Ventures backs early-stage software and information technology startups with capital and strategic guidance. They partner with passionate founders to help scale their businesses and navigate the challenges of growth.
Elmspring Accelerator champions seed-stage tech startups aiming to innovate within the real estate industry. They provide founders with crucial resources and mentorship to build and scale their ventures across commercial and residential property markets.
INCISENT Labs builds companies designed to disrupt traditional industries, including the retail, automotive, and software sectors. Their venture-building platform focuses on creating and launching new businesses from scratch to transform established markets.
By connecting startups with a vast network of enterprises, first responders, and government agencies, EMERGE CoLab helps build technology to improve public safety and productivity. Their focus is on commercializing dual-use innovations in fields like robotics and smart cities, giving founders unique access to both public and private sector partners.
Beyond our top picks, Chicago's startup community runs deep with opportunities for founders. Together, the programs below have invested in more than 100 companies.
There are many different paths for founders looking for the right kind of support. Here’s a look at the other accelerators and incubators helping build businesses in Chicago.
| Accelerator/Incubator | Year Founded | Nº Investments | Nº Exits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 17 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2014 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2017 | 57 | — | |
| 2016 | — | — | |
| 2010 | 5 | — | |
| 2016 | — | — | |
| 2017 | — | — | |
| 2018 | 14 | — | |
| 2012 | 1 | — | |
| 2015 | 6 | — | |
| 2012 | — | — |
