The Startup Ecosystem of Chicago

Chicago has 1107 startups in our sample database which represents about 3% of The United States’s sampled startups. Chicago is the 6th best startup ecosystem in The United States.

CITY RANKING

While Chicago decreased by 1 spot in its global rank in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index of 2023, its ranking in The United States remained stable at 6 nationally since 2022.

National Ranking

6th
0
In United States

Regional Ranking

6th
0
In North America

Global Ranking

15th
-
1
Worldwide

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ECOSYSTEM

Browse the startup ecosystem database of Chicago

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Ecosystem

The Startup Ecosystem in Chicago

Our startup ecosystem map for Chicago includes a sample of 1107 tech companies. We have identified as unicorns 14 startups that have passed the USD 1 billion valuations. Contributing to the vitality of this startup ecosystem are the 1 pantheon member entity. Get the Pro account for unrestricted insights on this ecosystem.

Global Rank

Chicago is ranked within the top 20 startup ecosystems globally.

Top Industries

Chicago’s startups excel particularly in Marketing & Sales where it ranks 5 and in Foodtech, and Ecommerce & Retail. Find out more

Top Cities for Startups in United States - Ranked by StartupBlink
StartupBlink ranks the startup ecosystems of 100 countries and 1,000 cities. Download our latest Global Startup Ecosystem Report.
Rows:
2023 National Rank & Change ▲
Access subscores for 1000 cities and 100 countries
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal ScoreQuantity ScoreQuality ScoreBusiness Score
1st
0
1st
0
546.427
00.00
00.00
00.00
2nd
0
2nd
0
223.407
00.00
00.00
00.00
3rd
0
4th
0
116.943
00.00
00.00
00.00
4th
0
5th
0
103.337
00.00
00.00
00.00
5th
0
12th
-
1
48.190
00.00
00.00
00.00
6th
0
15th
-
1
38.352
00.00
00.00
00.00
7th
0
18th
+
1
34.200
00.00
00.00
00.00
8th
0
21st
-
1
33.444
00.00
00.00
00.00
9th
0
22nd
-
1
33.148
00.00
00.00
00.00
10th
0
26th
0
29.255
00.00
00.00
00.00
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Startups

Notable Startups in Chicago
QuillBot startup icon
QuillBot
SpotHero startup icon
SpotHero
Kin Insurance startup icon
Kin Insurance

Startups

Successful Marketing & Sales startups in Chicago
Basis Technologies startup icon
Basis Technologies
Tegus startup icon
Tegus
Cooler Screens startup icon
Cooler Screens

Startups

Startups Ranking by Industry

Marketing & Sales icon
Marketing & Sales
#5 worldwide

On our map, you can explore a total of 316 startups for Marketing & Sales.

Foodtech icon
Foodtech
#7 worldwide

The Foodtech industry in Chicago is ranked 7 globally. There are 140 startups for Foodtech on our sample database and map.

Ecommerce & Retail icon
Ecommerce & Retail
#12 worldwide

Ecommerce & Retail is ranked 12th in the world. Our database contains 133 startups for this industry.

ECOSYSTEM

Why should you join Chicago's Startup Ecosystem?

Overview

Within Chicago there is an increased attraction for entrepreneurs to set up their startups in industries such as Marketing & Sales, Foodtech, Ecommerce & Retail. These three industries represent about 53% of the startups represented on the Startup Ecosystem Map of Chicago.

6th

National Rank

6th

Regional Rank

Overview

Chicago is The United States' 6th best startup ecosystem and is ranked 6th in North America. With a population of 2M - 10M people, Chicago is ranked 15th in the world. The city has some notable startup success stories including QuillBot and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as Boeing and Level Office.

ECOSYSTEM
Startup Infrastructure in Chicago
With a large variety of initiatives, Chicago's startup ecosystem stands out from other cities in North America. Chicago offers a number of funding opportunities for entrepreneurs and startups. Below is a list of Chicago's most prominent support initiatives:

Accelerators

Women's Tech Accelerator by Brad Deals startup icon

Women's Tech Accelerator by Brad Deals

University of Chicago New Venture Challenge startup icon

University of Chicago New Venture Challenge

Chain Reaction Innovation by Argonne startup icon

Chain Reaction Innovation by Argonne

Coworking Spaces

1 South Dearborn startup icon

1 South Dearborn

222 South Riverside Plaza startup icon

222 South Riverside Plaza

330 North Wabash startup icon

330 North Wabash

Organizations

Chicago Quantum Exchange startup icon

Chicago Quantum Exchange

DePaul Coleman Entrepreneurship Center startup icon

DePaul Coleman Entrepreneurship Center

UIC Innovation Center startup icon

UIC Innovation Center

Featured Ecosystem Portals

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