The Startup Ecosystem of Chicago

Chicago has 1191 startups in our sample database. This represents about 3% of The United States’s 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

Ecosystem

Startup Ecosystem Overview

white and brown city buildings during daytime


Nestled along the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, the vibrant city of Chicago stands as a melting pot of cultures, renowned across the United States for its fervent love of sports. Boasting a stunning location and expansive parklands, it beckons an impressive millions of visitors annually and Chicago one of the most populous city in the nation.


Famed as the “Windy City” due to its notorious gusts, this bustling metropolis is home to the world’s busiest airport in terms of aircraft traffic. It proudly holds the status of an international hub for commerce, finance, industry, telecommunications, transportation, and technology.


Despite harboring tremendous promise and witnessing the successful rise of numerous startups in recent years, Chicago’s entrepreneurial landscape still bears room for improvement. Nevertheless, it is crucial to acknowledge the strides already achieved. Chicago thrives as a city with a strong sense of community and a remarkable ability to reinvent itself. Innovators gravitate to this alluring destination, where an open and supportive community eagerly embraces novel ideas.


In the bustling city of Chicago, three remarkable success stories have emerged, exemplifying the city’s vibrant and diverse startup ecosystem. G2, a leading tech platform for software reviews, has captured the industry’s attention with its transparent and user-centric approach. Providing invaluable insights to millions of users, G2’s meteoric rise has earned it the distinction of being one of Chicago’s fastest-growing software companies.


Meanwhile, Boeing, the global aerospace giant, has deepened Chicago’s roots in aviation history. With a century-long legacy, Boeing’s Chicago headquarters remains a beacon of aviation excellence and innovation. Pioneering groundbreaking aircraft and pushing the boundaries of space exploration, Boeing’s contributions have solidified Chicago’s standing as a hub of aerospace engineering and technological advancement.


In the financial technology space, Avant has been a driving force in reshaping lending practices. As a fintech trailblazer, Avant’s platform empowers consumers with faster and more flexible loan options. By leveraging data and technology, Avant has transformed the lending landscape, providing millions of customers with fair and accessible credit solutions.


These success stories demonstrate the extraordinary potential within Chicago’s entrepreneurial landscape. From software reviews to aerospace engineering and fintech, the city’s startup ecosystem is thriving and fostering innovation across diverse industries. G2, Boeing, and Avant stand as shining examples of the boundless possibilities that await visionary entrepreneurs in the dynamic city of Chicago.


Within the Chicago startup ecosystem, a plethora of innovators abound, and investors are readily accessible. However, a sentiment of financial scarcity echoes among some entrepreneurs, while investors counter that they yearn for more compelling ideas to support. Nevertheless, Chicago fosters an environment that nurtures creativity, with a thriving and ever-expanding tech community propelling both new and established startups toward success.


In conclusion, Chicago’s entrepreneurial spirit burns brightly, driven by a city that brims with diversity and a profound commitment to fostering innovation. While challenges remain, the supportive community, ample investor presence, and thriving tech scene render Chicago a promising ground for startup ventures. As the Windy City continues to embrace and champion the spirit of entrepreneurship, its trajectory toward becoming a leading hub for innovative businesses and forward-thinking entrepreneurs seems inevitable.

Startups

Chicago Top Startup Industries

Marketing & Sales icon
Marketing & Sales
#5 worldwide

55 startups

Foodtech icon
Foodtech
#7 worldwide

40 startups

Ecommerce & Retail icon
Ecommerce & Retail
#12 worldwide

138 startups

Ecosystem HealthCheck

Chicago Ecosystem Health Check

The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Chicago has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...

  • Overperformance
  • Performance equal to global ranking
  • Underperformance
ParameterParameter Global rankParameter rank change since 2022ResultContribution to total scoreRank gain / loss due to parameter
Total Score15-138.352100%0
Quantity Score1305.97115.57%0
Sample size of startups12111159.69%1
Sample size of accelerators1928360.94%0
Sample size of coworking spaces15-1632193.43%0
Community Score1-36230.30.78%0

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 1191 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.
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2023 National Rank & Change ▲
2023 National Rank & Change City
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Global Rank & ChangeTotal Score
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Quantity Score
Quality ScoreBusiness Score
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546.427
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223.407
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116.943
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103.337
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48.190
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38.352
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34.200
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33.444
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33.148
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Startups

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

Startups

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

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 20% 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 SpotHero and its startup ecosystem infrastructure is strengthened by organizations such as Boeing and Regus - Illinois, Schaumburg - Woodfield Preserve.

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