The Top 39 Accelerators in Chicago

Empowering Innovation: Unveiling Canada's Top 25 Startup Accelerators

Chicago
🇺🇸 United States
🚀 All Verticals

Overview

Chicago has a thriving startup ecosystem with a diverse range of industries, including technology, healthcare, and finance. The city offers a supportive community, access to top talent, and a growing number of resources for early-stage startups.In recent years, several accelerators have emerged in Chicago, providing valuable support and mentorship to early-stage startups. These accelerators offer programs tailored to different industries and provide startups with funding, networking opportunities, and access to experienced mentors and investors.

The Top 39 Accelerators in Chicago

1871
Chicago Venture Summit
Clean Energy Trust
Cleveland Avenue
DWG Business X-celerator
Elmspring Accelerator
EMERGE CoLab (Powered by TechNexus Venture Collaborative)
EVC Ventures
Excelerate Labs
Financial Solutions Lab
Future Founders - Fellowship
Future Founders - Startup Bootcamp
gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator
Healthbox
INCISENT Labs
IncubEx
Insight Accelerator Labs
Kingologic LLC
Lofty Ventures
Matter Chicago - Healthcare Incubator
MATTER Health
mHUB Accelerated Incubation
mHUB MedTech Accelerator
Moderne Passport
Portal Innovations
REACH
Relish Works
Sandbox Industries
SmartHealth Activator
StartUp Port
TechNexus Venture Collaborative
Technori
Techstars Chicago
The Bunker
University of Chicago New Venture Challenge
Vantedge Ventures | Healthcare Innovation Fund
Women's Startup Academy
Women's Tech Accelerator by Brad Deals
Workbox Company

The Top 39 Accelerators in Chicago

1.

1871

A Chicago-based incubator and accelerator that supports startups at all stages, from ideation to growth stage. The program provides a community of like-minded entrepreneurs, resources, mentorship, and access to capital.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2012

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Advice
Consulting
Finance
Internet
Non Profit
Learn More
1.

Chicago Venture Summit

An annual event featuring pitches from startups and talks from venture capitalists

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Closed
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
1 day
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Events
Financial Services
FinTech
Insurance
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

Clean Energy Trust

An accelerator for early-stage cleantech startups in the Midwest

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
3
Exits
👶
2010

HOW IT WORKS

📅
6 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
6% equity
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Advanced Materials
AgTech
CleanTech
Energy
Energy Efficiency
Learn More
1.

Cleveland Avenue

A venture capital firm that invests in food and beverage startups

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
1
Exits
👶
2015

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Consumer Goods
Food and Beverage
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

DWG Business X-celerator

An accelerator for Black-owned businesses, providing mentorship, funding, and resources to help them grow and succeed.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
12 weeks
🏝️
Remote
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Crowdfunding, Early Stage Venture, Grant, Private Equity, Secondary Market, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Automotive
B2B
Business Development
Business Intelligence
Electronics
Learn More
1.

Elmspring Accelerator

Elmspring Accelerator is a startup accelerator that provides seed funding, mentorship, and resources for real estate and housing startups.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Closed
💵
Investments
🚀
1
Exits
👶
2013

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
6-8% equity
📈
Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Commercial Real Estate
Real Estate
Residential
Learn More
1.

EMERGE CoLab (Powered by TechNexus Venture Collaborative)

EMERGE CoLab is a startup accelerator that supports early-stage companies with a focus on sustainable solutions.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2015

HOW IT WORKS

📅
16 weeks
🏝️
Remote
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Public Safety
Robotics
Smart Cities
Wearables
Learn More
1.

EVC Ventures

EVC Ventures is an accelerator focused on early stage startups in various industries.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
1
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3-6 months
🏝️
Remote
🤝
Up to $125K in funding for 6-8% equity
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Finance
Higher Education
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

Excelerate Labs

Excelerate Labs is an accelerator program that provides mentorship, resources, and funding to early-stage startups.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2010

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Consulting
Learn More
1.

Financial Solutions Lab

Financial Solutions Lab is a program focused on supporting and accelerating technology-based solutions that address the financial challenges of underserved populations.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
6
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Asset Management
Finance
Financial Services
FinTech
Information Technology
Learn More
1.

Future Founders - Fellowship

Equity-free and no-fee founder development accelerator for 18-30 year-old founders in the US

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2011

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Pre-Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Education
Non Profit
Social Entrepreneurship
Remote
Online
Learn More
1.

Future Founders - Startup Bootcamp

A free bootcamp designed to help 18 to 30-year-olds turn ideas, passions, and side hustles into functioning businesses

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2011

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3 months
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Education
Non Profit
Social Entrepreneurship
Learn More
1.

gener8tor Sustainability Accelerator

Accelerating and Investing in Sustainability and Climate Tech Startups

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
11
Exits
👶
2012

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

All Verticals
Learn More
1.

Healthbox

Healthbox is a healthcare innovation services company that helps healthcare organizations innovate and transform by providing consulting, accelerator programs, and venture capital.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
12
Exits
👶
2010

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Health Care
Incubators
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

INCISENT Labs

INCISENT Labs is a cybersecurity company that provides innovative solutions to protect businesses and organizations from cyber threats.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
1
Exits
👶
2009

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Innovation Management
Software
Learn More
1.

IncubEx

IncubEx is a global marketplace for environmental commodities and renewable energy that provides trading, market data, and analytics solutions.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2016

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Business Development
Finance
Financial Services
Learn More
1.

Insight Accelerator Labs

Insight Accelerator Labs is a startup incubator that provides resources and expertise to help early-stage companies grow and succeed.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2012

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Health Care
Learn More
1.

Kingologic LLC

Kingologic LLC is a software development company that specializes in creating custom software solutions for businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2017

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Remote
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Advertising
Freelance
Information Technology
Logistics
Small and Medium Businesses
Learn More
1.

Lofty Ventures

Lofty Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups with high growth potential.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2020

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3 months
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

No items found.
Learn More
1.

Matter Chicago - Healthcare Incubator

Build your healthcare startup with us. We mobilize a community of healthcare innovators who aspire to heroic change.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2015

HOW IT WORKS

📅
6 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

HealthTech
Communities
Healthcare
Information Technologies
Learn More
1.

MATTER Health

MATTER is mobilizing a community of healthcare innovators who aspire to heroic change.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Biopharma
Health Care
Health Diagnostics
Medical
Learn More
1.

mHUB Accelerated Incubation

Accelerating Breakthrough Product Solutions Driven By Industry Demand

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2020

HOW IT WORKS

📅
6 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

MedicalTech
Medical
Medical Devices
Learn More
1.

mHUB MedTech Accelerator

mHUB is where people come to build the physical technologies that will change the physical world.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2017

HOW IT WORKS

📅
6 months
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage.

⬆️  Verticals

Medical
MedicalTech
Learn More
1.

Moderne Passport

Moderne Passport is a software company that provides a cloud-based platform for multifamily and student housing operators to streamline and automate their leasing and resident experience.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2016

HOW IT WORKS

📅
12 weeks
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Financial Services
Learn More
1.

Portal Innovations

Portal Innovations is a company that specializes in creating innovative solutions for digital communication and collaboration.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2020

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Consumer Goods
Energy
GreenTech
Media
Entertainment
Learn More
1.

REACH

REACH is a European Union regulation that aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
15
Exits
👶
2012

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed, Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Business Development
Finance
Financial Services
Learn More
1.

Relish Works

Relish Works is a food innovation hub that helps businesses develop and launch new food products and services.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2017

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Finance
Food and Beverage
Food Processing
Learn More
1.

Sandbox Industries

Sandbox Industries is a venture capital firm that invests in and supports early-stage startups across various industries.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
20
Exits
👶
2003

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Late Stage Venture, Private Equity, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Financial Services
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

SmartHealth Activator

SmartHealth Activator is a healthcare accelerator that supports innovative startups in developing and scaling their products and services.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Health Care
Learn More
1.

StartUp Port

StartUp Port is a platform that connects entrepreneurs with experienced mentors and resources to support the growth of their businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2008

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

All Verticals
Learn More
1.

TechNexus Venture Collaborative

TechNexus Venture Collaborative is a venture development firm that works with corporations and startups to accelerate innovation and build successful technology companies.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
11
Exits
👶
2007

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Convertible Note, Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

B2B
B2C
Business Development
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

Technori

Technori is an online startup network focused on providing founders with capital, tech support and strategic partnership.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2010

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Angel Investment
Crowdfunding
Events
Podcast
Publishing
Learn More
1.

Techstars Chicago

Techstars Chicago is a startup accelerator program that provides mentorship, resources, and funding to early-stage companies in various industries.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
26
Exits
👶
2010

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
In-Person
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed

⬆️  Verticals

Consulting
Financial Services
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

The Bunker

The Bunker provides secure and resilient IT infrastructure and managed services to businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2014

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Incubators
Learn More
1.

University of Chicago New Venture Challenge

The University of Chicago New Venture Challenge is an annual startup competition and accelerator program designed to help early-stage entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
1996

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Education
Finance
Impact Investing
Internet
Learn More
1.

Vantedge Ventures | Healthcare Innovation Fund

Vantedge Ventures is a healthcare innovation fund that invests in and supports innovative healthcare companies to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2017

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture, Seed, Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Health Care
Information Technology
Innovation Management
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

Women's Startup Academy

Women's Startup Academy 2020 offers daily coaching from product, marketing, and fundraising experts (up to 200 hours worth $50K).

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2016

HOW IT WORKS

📅
6 months
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Business Development
Financial Services
Marketing
Learn More
1.

Women's Tech Accelerator by Brad Deals

The Women's Tech Accelerator by Brad Deals is a program designed to support and accelerate the growth of women-led technology businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2018

HOW IT WORKS

📅
3 months
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage Venture

⬆️  Verticals

Coworking
Finance
Financial Services
Management Consulting
Venture Capital
Learn More
1.

Workbox Company

Workbox is a company that provides flexible and customized workspace solutions for individuals, startups, and established businesses.

📍
Chicago
United States

ABOUT

✅
Application
Open
💵
Investments
🚀
Unknown
Exits
👶
2019

HOW IT WORKS

📅
Unknown
🏝️
Hybrid
🤝
Equity Unknown
📈
Early Stage

⬆️  Verticals

Consumer Goods
E-Commerce
Education
Energy
Enterprise Software
Learn More