List of Funded Startups in Chicago For 2026

📅 Last Updated: January 15, 2026 | New Chicago startups added weekly

Looking for recently funded Chicago startups? You’re in the right place. Chicago’s tech ecosystem continues its impressive growth trajectory, with the city now recognized as the third-largest tech hub in the United States. Chicago startups raised a record $4.2 billion in 2024, cementing the city’s position as the Midwest’s innovation powerhouse.

Our team tracks Chicago startup funding announcements every week, maintaining the most comprehensive database of verified contacts, funding details, and company intelligence. Below, you’ll find 100 recently funded Chicago startups with actionable data you can use today.

👉 Jump to the List of 100 Funded Chicago Startups

Quick Stats: Chicago Startup Funding in 2025

• 🎯 Top sectors: FinTech (32%), HealthTech (26%), B2B SaaS (22%)
• 📍 Major neighborhoods: River North, Fulton Market, West Loop, South Loop
• 💰 Total funding 2024: $4.2 billion across 290+ deals
• 🏢 Chicago Startups tracked: 318 companies in our database
• 📈 Growth rate: 62% increase year-over-year

Why Chicago Startups Are Thriving

Chicago startups have rapidly established the city as one of the nation’s most dynamic tech ecosystems. The city’s tech sector now employs over 280,000 people and contributes more than $140 billion annually to the regional economy. Several factors drive momentum for Chicago startups:

• Central Location: Chicago startups benefit from the city’s geographic position at the heart of America, offering easy access to major markets across the country with less than a 3-hour flight to either coast
• Fortune 500 Headquarters: With 36 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Chicago area, Chicago startups have unprecedented access to enterprise customers, strategic partners, and experienced corporate executives who become investors and advisors
• World-Class Universities: Top institutions including University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and University of Illinois produce thousands of STEM graduates annually who fuel Chicago startups with talent
• Lower Operating Costs: Chicago startups enjoy 30-40% lower operating costs compared to San Francisco or New York, allowing capital to stretch further while maintaining access to top-tier talent
• Deep Industry Expertise: Chicago’s legacy strengths in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics create unique opportunities for Chicago startups to innovate in established sectors with real customer problems

According to the Chicago Tech Report 2024, the city’s tech sector is projected to add $50 billion in economic value by 2028, reinforcing the position of Chicago startups as national innovation leaders.

Recently Funded Chicago Startups

Below is our curated database of the 100 most recently funded Chicago startups. This data is updated weekly and sourced from Crunchbase, SEC filings, direct company announcements, and verified through our proprietary data verification process.

Chicago Startups at a Glance

• Number of Chicago startups in our database: 318
• Number of verified email addresses in our database: 434
• Number of social profiles in our database: 809
• Other data points stored: 4,481
• Total funding raised in 2024: $2,033,941,815
  • Seed: $142,767,785
  • Series A: $92,500,000
  • Series B: $236,500,000
  • Series C: $263,000,000
  • Other funding*: $1,610,250,502
• Total funding raised in 2025: $141,700,000

*Other funding includes private equity, debt financing, and various other types of capital.

Industry	% of Total Funding	Notable Rounds
FinTech	32%	$1.35B+ total
HealthTech	26%	$1.1B+ total
B2B SaaS	22%	$930M total
Advanced Manufacturing	11%	$465M total
Other	9%	Various stages

Top Industries for Chicago Startups

FinTech Excellence

Chicago startups have established the city as a major FinTech center, building on the city’s legacy as a global financial hub. FinTech startups in Chicago raised over $1.35 billion in 2024, representing 32% of all startup funding in the city. The sector benefits from proximity to CME Group, CBOE, and numerous major banks and trading firms headquartered in Chicago.

Major success stories among Chicago startups include Avant (online lending, acquired by Regions Bank), Braintree (payments, acquired by PayPal for $800 million), and Morningstar (investment research, publicly traded with $7 billion market cap). The ecosystem continues to produce innovative companies in payments, blockchain, insurance technology, and wealth management. Chicago’s deep bench of financial services talent provides a unique competitive advantage for Chicago FinTech startups.

HealthTech Innovation

HealthTech startups in Chicago raised $1.1 billion in 2024, driven by the city’s concentration of world-renowned hospitals and medical research institutions. Northwestern Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, and University of Chicago Medicine provide both clinical expertise and real-world testing environments for Chicago startups.

Success stories include Tempus (precision medicine, valued at $8.1 billion), Livongo (chronic disease management, acquired by Teladoc for $18.5 billion), and Outcome Health (healthcare media, $5.5 billion valuation). Chicago startups benefit from the city’s strong healthcare infrastructure and regulatory expertise, creating unique advantages in medical devices, digital health platforms, and healthcare IT solutions.

B2B SaaS Leadership

B2B SaaS startups in Chicago captured $930 million in 2024, with companies serving enterprise customers across industries. Chicago’s concentration of Fortune 500 headquarters creates an ideal environment for SaaS companies to develop, test, and scale enterprise software solutions.

Notable Chicago startups include G2 (software reviews, valued at $1.1 billion), ActiveCampaign (marketing automation, valued at $3 billion), and Jellyvision (employee benefits software, acquired by Blackstone). The city’s enterprise SaaS companies benefit from direct access to sophisticated buyers and the ability to build lasting customer relationships. Chicago B2B SaaS companies typically grow more capital-efficiently than coastal counterparts by leveraging local enterprise networks.

Explore More Funded Startups by Industry

Looking for startups in other sectors? Check out our comprehensive lists:

• AI Startups – Artificial intelligence companies
• Blockchain Startups – Crypto and distributed ledger technology
• Insurance Startups – InsurTech innovators
• Logistics Startups – Supply chain and transportation tech
• Manufacturing Startups – Industrial technology
• Recently Funded Startups – Latest funding announcements across all industries

Chicago Startup Neighborhoods: Area Breakdown

River North Tech Corridor

River North has emerged as Chicago’s densest startup cluster, with over 120 tech companies concentrated in the neighborhood. The area benefits from proximity to major transit lines, abundance of Class A office space, and a vibrant dining and entertainment scene that attracts talent.

Major companies headquartered in River North include Grubhub (food delivery, acquired by Just Eat Takeaway for $7.3 billion), Potbelly (fast casual restaurant chain), and Sprout Social (social media management, publicly traded). The neighborhood’s high concentration of venture-backed companies creates a collaborative ecosystem where founders, investors, and talent regularly connect.

Fulton Market Innovation District

Fulton Market has transformed from a meatpacking district into Chicago’s hottest tech neighborhood, attracting both startups and major tech companies. Google opened its 500,000 square foot Midwest headquarters in Fulton Market in 2021, signaling the area’s emergence as a premier innovation district.

Notable Fulton Market companies include McDonald’s corporate headquarters, Dyson’s North American headquarters, and numerous high-growth startups. The neighborhood offers a mix of historic warehouse buildings converted into modern tech offices, creating unique spaces that appeal to creative companies. Chicago startups in Fulton Market benefit from proximity to Google’s talent pool and the neighborhood’s reputation as the city’s most innovative district.

West Loop Financial Hub

The West Loop continues to attract financial technology and professional services startups, building on Chicago’s legacy as a financial center. The neighborhood offers proximity to the Chicago Board of Trade, CME Group, and numerous financial services firms.

Major companies in the West Loop include McDonald’s Global Headquarters, Google’s Chicago office expansion, and Glassdoor. The area’s combination of financial services expertise and growing tech presence makes it ideal for FinTech startups seeking enterprise customers and experienced talent. Chicago FinTech startups in the West Loop can easily connect with potential customers, partners, and advisors from the financial services industry.

Chicago Startup Funding Trends

Series A Growth

Chicago startups raised substantial Series A funding in 2024, with rounds ranging from $8 million to $50 million. The median Series A size increased to $16 million, up from $12 million in 2023, reflecting investor confidence in proven Chicago business models.

Notable Series A rounds include:

• Architect: $35 million for blockchain-based financial infrastructure
• HOPPR: $31.5 million for AI-powered cloud computing solutions
• Coinflow Labs: $25 million for crypto payment infrastructure

This trend indicates Chicago startups are successfully navigating early-stage growth challenges, with investors backing companies demonstrating clear product-market fit and revenue traction in the massive Midwest market.

💼 Selling to Series A Startups?

Chicago startups that just raised Series A funding are actively building teams and buying tools. Get weekly lists of newly funded Chicago startups with verified decision-maker contacts, or request a custom list of Series A companies in your target industry.

Late-Stage Expansion

Late-stage funding (Series B and beyond) in Chicago totaled $1.2 billion in 2024. This represents healthy ecosystem maturation with companies scaling successfully while remaining headquartered in Chicago.

Major late-stage rounds included:

• Nerdio: $500 million Series C for virtual desktop infrastructure
• Zero Hash: $104 million Series D for cryptocurrency infrastructure
• Vibe: $50 million Series B for out-of-home advertising technology

Coastal investors are increasingly participating in Chicago late-stage rounds, recognizing the city’s ability to produce globally competitive companies at lower capital requirements than Silicon Valley equivalents.

Venture Capital Landscape

Chicago’s venture capital ecosystem has matured significantly, with over 80 active VC firms managing approximately $15 billion in assets under management. The city benefits from both strong local firms and increasing coastal investor participation.

Leading Chicago VC Firms:

• Hyde Park Venture Partners – Early-stage B2B software investor
• Lightbank – Founded by Groupon executives, backs diverse sectors
• MATH Venture Partners – Data-driven early-stage investor
• Chicago Ventures – Focuses on commerce, infrastructure, and vertical SaaS
• Pritzker Group Venture Capital – Backs early-stage technology companies

Coastal Firms Active in Chicago:

• Sequoia Capital, Tiger Global, Insight Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, and General Catalyst increasingly invest in Chicago startups, validating the ecosystem’s maturity and quality.

Chicago Startup Ecosystem Support

Key Accelerators & Incubators

Chicago’s accelerator ecosystem provides critical early-stage support through nationally recognized programs:

• TechStars Chicago: Part of the global TechStars network, offers $120K investment plus intensive mentorship focused on enterprise software and FinTech
• MATTER: Healthcare-focused accelerator with strong hospital partnerships, connects startups with clinical validation opportunities
• Bunker Labs: Supports military veteran entrepreneurs with mentorship, networking, and funding connections
• 1871: Chicago’s flagship tech hub houses 400+ early-stage startups and provides programming, mentorship, and community
• mHUB: Hardtech and manufacturing innovation center with prototyping facilities and industry connections

University Innovation

Chicago’s world-class universities drive significant startup activity through research commercialization and entrepreneurship programs:

• University of Chicago: The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has helped launch over 100 startups, including several unicorns. UChicago excels in quantum computing, AI, and biotechnology research commercialization
• Northwestern University: The Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and The Garage accelerator support student and faculty ventures. Northwestern’s strengths in materials science, biomedical engineering, and marketing create unique startup opportunities
• University of Illinois Chicago: The Innovation Center provides wet lab space, prototyping facilities, and business support. UIC’s engineering and medical programs feed talent into the Chicago startup ecosystem
• Illinois Institute of Technology: The IP Ventures program helps commercialize faculty research, with particular strength in engineering and computer science innovations

Chicago universities produce over 25,000 STEM graduates annually, creating a robust talent pipeline for Chicago startups. Many successful founders and early employees come directly from these programs.

How Chicago Compares to Other Tech Hubs

Chicago vs. San Francisco

While San Francisco startups raised $42 billion in 2024 compared to Chicago’s $4.2 billion, the cost efficiency tells a different story. Chicago startups achieve similar milestones with 40-50% less capital, enabling better unit economics and longer runways.

Chicago’s advantages include 60% lower operating costs, less talent competition, proximity to Fortune 500 customers, and stronger work-life balance attracting experienced professionals. San Francisco leads in consumer tech, while Chicago excels in enterprise software, FinTech, and HealthTech where domain expertise matters more than network effects.

Chicago vs. New York

New York startups raised $28 billion in 2024, significantly more than Chicago, with strength in FinTech, media, and consumer brands. However, Chicago offers 30% lower operating costs and less competitive talent markets while maintaining similar Fortune 500 access.

Chicago’s central location provides better geographic coverage of the entire United States, while New York offers superior access to international markets and media. Both cities excel in FinTech, but Chicago’s trading and derivatives expertise creates unique advantages in certain subsectors.

Chicago vs. Boston

Boston startups raised $18 billion in 2024, with particular strength in biotech and life sciences. Chicago and Boston share similar attributes as “second-tier” tech hubs with strong universities, established industries, and lower costs than coastal giants.

Chicago leads in FinTech and enterprise software, while Boston dominates in biotech and robotics. Both cities offer strong talent pipelines, research universities, and quality of life advantages. Chicago’s larger population (9.5 million metro vs. 4.9 million) provides a bigger domestic market for testing and initial scaling.

Chicago vs. Major Startup Hubs: By The Numbers

City	2024 Funding	Avg Operating Cost	Top Industry	Unicorns
Chicago	$4.2B	Baseline	FinTech	18
San Francisco	$42B	+85%	Consumer Tech	156
New York	$28B	+65%	FinTech	121
Boston	$18B	+45%	Biotech	42
Austin	$5.1B	-15%	B2B SaaS	14

2025 Chicago Startup Trends & Predictions

The Chicago startup landscape in 2025 is being reshaped by several key trends:

AI Integration Across Industries: Over 150 Chicago startups are now incorporating AI capabilities, with particular strength in applying AI to traditional industries like manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Chicago’s industrial expertise combined with AI capabilities creates globally competitive solutions.

FinTech Maturation: Chicago’s FinTech sector is evolving beyond payments and lending into blockchain infrastructure, embedded finance, and crypto-traditional finance bridges. The city’s regulatory expertise and trading infrastructure create unique advantages in complex financial technology.

HealthTech Clinical Integration: Digital health startups are moving beyond consumer wellness into clinical-grade solutions integrated with hospital systems. Chicago’s world-class medical institutions provide both development partners and early adopters.

Manufacturing Technology Renaissance: Advanced manufacturing and industrial technology startups are revitalizing Chicago’s manufacturing heritage with robotics, AI-powered supply chain optimization, and sustainable materials. The city’s manufacturing expertise creates opportunities unavailable in purely digital tech hubs.

Midwest Market Focus: Chicago startups increasingly recognize the Midwest’s 60 million consumers as an underserved market. Companies achieving product-market fit in the Midwest often expand nationally from a position of strength.

How to Use This Chicago Startup Database

This database is updated weekly and designed for multiple use cases:

For Sales & Business Development Teams: Contact Chicago startups within 30 days of funding announcements when budgets are freshest. Our verified email addresses reach decision-makers directly, and we track funding amounts so you can prioritize high-value prospects. Learn how to sell to recently funded startups.

For Investors & VCs: Track emerging trends in Chicago’s ecosystem, identify co-investment opportunities, monitor portfolio companies’ competitors, and discover high-potential companies at various stages. Our data includes funding history, investor details, and growth indicators.

For Job Seekers: Recently funded Chicago startups are actively hiring across all functions. Use funding announcements to time your applications when companies are expanding teams. Our database includes LinkedIn profiles and company websites for direct outreach.

For Service Providers: Target Chicago startups needing legal, accounting, HR, marketing, or technology services post-funding. Companies that just raised capital are actively seeking vendors to support their growth.

For Media & Researchers: Source breaking stories, track Chicago innovation trends, and analyze funding patterns across industries and neighborhoods. Our data provides comprehensive insights into the Chicago startup ecosystem.

Ready to Connect with Chicago Startups?

Growth List subscribers receive weekly updates of newly funded Chicago startups with double-verified email addresses, funding amounts, investor details, and LinkedIn profiles. Sign up and get 100 free leads to test the quality of our data.

Need something more specific? Our custom list service can build targeted lists of Chicago startups filtered by:

• Specific neighborhoods (River North, Fulton Market, West Loop, South Loop)
• Industries (FinTech, HealthTech, B2B SaaS, Manufacturing)
• Funding stages (Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C)
• Funding amount ranges
• Company size or employee count
• Specific technologies or keywords

Start Free Trial – 100 Leads

Request Custom List

FAQs About Chicago Startups

Related Startup Ecosystems

Exploring startup ecosystems beyond Chicago? Check out our other comprehensive city and industry guides:

Other US Tech Hubs

• NYC startups with recent funding rounds
• San Francisco startups with recent funding rounds
• Boston startups with recent funding rounds
• Austin startups with recent funding rounds
• Seattle startups with recent funding rounds
• Atlanta startups with recent funding rounds
• Miami startups with recent funding rounds
• Denver startups with recent funding rounds

Industry-Specific Lists

• FinTech startups with recent funding
• HealthTech startups with recent funding
• B2B SaaS startups with recent funding
• AI startups with recent funding
• Blockchain startups with recent funding

National Database

• United States startups with recent funding rounds
• Startups with recent funding rounds (all locations)

---

About Growth List: We help sales teams, investors, and job seekers connect with recently funded startups through our comprehensive database of verified contacts and funding intelligence. Our data is updated weekly and includes double-verified email addresses, LinkedIn profiles, funding amounts, and detailed company information. Start your free trial today and receive 100 Chicago startup leads to test our data quality.

Last Updated: January 15, 2026 | Data refreshed weekly