Chicago is home to Cameo, Groupon, Draftbit, VillageMD, and many other startups. Founders Network connects Chicago Founders with a global network of support to help this. Based in Silicon Valley, Founders Network is a mentorship program that gives our members access to new resources which facilitate Founder growth.
Learn, Network, and Engage with entrepreneurs in Chicago
In 2022,Chicago’s venture capital investment broke records and totaled over $10 billion, up sharply from $6.6 billion in 2021. It also has become the hub for Fintech in the Midwest United States with 23% of the local VC investment going to Fintech startups over the last 6 years according to 2018’s Startup Genome Report. The city is also consistently top ranked for investment returns which makes it a great place for a startup.
Founders Network is based in San Francisco, just 45 minutes north of the valley and was built with the Silicon Valley startup founder in mind. At Founders Network, we know that a robust network of other founders is an essential part of any successful tech founder’s startup playbook. Our mentorship program is designed to support our members throughout their startup journey and accelerate their success.
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Chicago Founders:
Join Our April Cohort Today!
Tap into a global network that enables you to answer questions, build relationships, and gain the perspective you need to move faster
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Upcoming Events for Chicago
April 25, 2024
fnDC Chapter Spring Happy Hour
Join Founders Network members in Washington DC for a Spring Happy Hour. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with…
May 30, 2024
How to Conquer Limiting Beliefs & Fuel Startup Growth with Joel Bein
The startup journey can be exhilarating, but also incredibly demanding. The pressure to succeed, constant uncertainty, and long hours…
April 26, 2024
fnBike Ride
Come join other founders on a Friday morning ride! Everyone is invited! You’ll have the opportunity to connect with…
Our Chicago Startup Community's Local Leadership Team
Our local leadership team consists of a dedicated group of Chicago-based founders who volunteer their time and expertise to support the growth and success of the chapter.
Founders Network Global Stats
$5B+
COLLECTIVELY RAISED$1.1M
Average Funding600+
Tech Founders55%
SERIAL ENTREPRENEURS4.6
STARTUPS PER MEMBER100+
Global EventsHow You Can Join
Our Startup Community
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by email so you can tell us more about yourself3
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600+ startup founders
Our Partners
Our curated group of partners enables you to find the resources, vendors, and professionals you need fast. We offer personalized recommendations and connections that save you from having to do the legwork on your own.
