Chicago GA
CHICAGO

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.

CHICAGO

Mentorship from select Chicago founders

Request Invite to Join Our Month Cohort!
Gain Access To:
São Paulo Founders Network
Chicago

  • 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

Request Invitation
Founders Network Global Stats

Connecting Chicago Founders with each other and the Founders Network community.

$1B+
Collective Capital Raised
$1.1M
Average Funding
600+
Global Founders
55%
Serial Entrepreneurs
100+
FN Global Events
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.
Galen Buckwalter
Founder of eHarmony
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.
Linden Tibbets
Founder of IFTTT
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.
Will Bunker
Founder of Match.com
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Local Leadership Team

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.

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Josh Furstoss
Chapter Director
Incued
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Andy Cwik
Membership Chair
hubub
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Jason Jacobsohn
Growth Chair
Reliable Venture Partners
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Marisa Bryce
Social Chair
CityXones
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Craig Bradley
Chapter Partner
Much Shelist

Leadership Positions Available

Join 600+ Founders Who Love FN

In Africa, there is a saying: 'If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.' The great thing about the Founder's Network is that it's not an either/or! We go together farther AND faster, and actually it's way more fun ;)
Alexandra Greenhill
Founder of Careteam
The fn community has been along for my journey through four startups including one dissolution, one major restructure, a successful exit and now a high-growth, funded SaaS company. Being a Founder is sometimes overwhelming and lonely. This community provides guidance and the lift you need when facing your most excruciating obstacles. More importantly, it's a community that genuinely celebrates your successes along the way!
Neha Sampat
Founder of Contentstack
Founding a business can be a lonely pursuit, but being surrounded by a like-minded community enriches the experience. Founders Network is a cadre who provides concrete perspective and insights. In my experience, it's just as enriching to me as a serial entrepreneur to see what and who is coming next, as it would have been to me years ago as a first-time founder to avoid (some!) rookie errors.
Lisa Shields
Founder of Fi Span
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Events

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20
Interactive
Webinars
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Private VC Office Hours

  • Founder Thought Leadership

  • Trending Tech Topic Panels

  • Pitch Practice Featuring Tier 1 VC's

  • Private Office Hours With Tier 1 VC's

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2
Global
Conferences
Learn More

Upcoming events

Past events

Learn More

Partners

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How to find opportunity in an ever-changing world: A product panel

When the world came to a screeching halt 18 months ago, it was hard to imagine how any innovation could realize its full potential. Taking a pause made the most …

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Hire and keep top talent for your startup: An HR panel

Early in the pandemic the employment crisis promised to head in the direction of forced unemployment for many. During the pandemic, those with jobs stayed put, opting for the secure …

Posted in Tech Startup Advice | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

The Building Blocks of Effective Leadership with Raman Chadha

Many founders strive to improve their leadership, but don’t yet realize they need a solid foundation. In this session, you will learn a systematic and proven framework for building better …

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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 …

Posted in Startup Mentorship Programs | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 …

Posted in Startup Investing and Funding | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment
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Learn about membership opportunities in other cities
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