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Chicago Startups
& Startup Resources
Chicago Startup Mentor Programs
Chicago reported around $1.5 billion in Venture Capital investments in 2017. 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.
It might be a little difficult to get your start in Chicago with the direct bottom-line mentality. 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.
Mentorship from select Chicago founders
Peer mentorship program with fellow tech founders
Global, stage and local founder forums
Pitch practice with tier 1 VC’s
Proactive support and introductions from staff
Biannual global conferences
Accelerator grade discounts
Connecting Chicago Founders with each other and the Founders Network community.
You’ll learn more from the threads seen here everyday than you did in most courses you’ve ever waded through. So dive in, everyone is here because this is exactly what we want to be doing.
I’m a very technical person. Not big on the business side of things. Thanks to Founders Network, I’ve received valuable, actionable business advice from both founders and investors alike.
I would say it’s a very reasonable cost to tap into a worldwide network of entrepreneurs who, as a group, have gone through just about everything you can imagine and have a world of experience they can offer to you.
Each Founders Network Chapter has an appointed Chapter Leadership Team. Made up of founders who have chosen to volunteer their time, they are on deck to give advice, facilitate events, and lead the growth of the Chapter.
Leadership Positions Available
Events
Webinars
Founder Thought Leadership
Trending Tech Topic Panels
Pitch Practice Featuring Tier 1 VC’s
Private Office Hours With Tier 1 VC’s
Conferences
Upcoming events
There are no upcoming events at this time.Past events
Founders Network Chicago Pitch Competition
September 10, 2019 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm CDT Founders Network Chicago Pitch Competition
Join startup founders and investors for Founders Network’s Chicago Launch! In partnership with Microsoft for Startups, StackPath, and Winestyr, Founders Network is opening up its Chicago Chapter with a Pitch Competition featuring a ... Read More
at WinestyrfnChicago CoWorking Day + Lunch
October 23, 2019 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm CDT fnChicago CoWorking Day + Lunch
Get to know the Chicago chapter of Founders Network with a full day of founder coworking at Workbox! Take a break from the grind with a working lunch focused on ... Read More
at WorkboxfnCurriculum: Growth – Pivot Your Sales Strategy to Success ft the Goby Team
April 28 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am CDT fnCurriculum: Growth – Pivot Your Sales Strategy to Success ft the Goby Team
Founders Network is invite only. If you are a full time tech founder interested in membership, you are welcome to join this event as a guest. Please RSVP below. Once ... Read More
at Virtual
Sponsors
Five Entrepreneurship Lessons From Siri Founder Adam Cheyer
Adam Cheyer breaks down his step-by-step formula for sizing up a startup idea and making it a success. There may be no magic formula for launching the next Google, Facebook …
How to Budget in COVID-19 feat. David Ehrenberg
Startup founders are facing uncharted economic waters. David Ehrenberg, founder of Early Growth, the largest startup financial services firm in the U.S., shares his checklist for startup financial health through …
Making the Big Leagues Featuring Acrylic’s Matt Tillman
Matt Tillman, Serial Entrepreneur, Haven founder and Acrylic partner, discusses what you need to know as a founder moving to the San Francisco Bay Area or another first-tier market. Founders …
Why Chicago Startups Should Stay in Chicago
When many people think of hotbeds for startup activity, their minds instinctively drift toward places like Silicon Valley and San Francisco. But on the other side of the country, Chicago …