Startup accelerators and incubators in Chicago
- 6 organizations
- Oct 2026 last checked
Chicagoland growth-stage funding totaled $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2025 and $2.7 billion in the fourth quarter, according to PitchBook data reported by World Business Chicago. The agency says 2025 significantly outperformed 2024.
Sources: World Business Chicago, Chicagoland innovation ecosystem rankings, January 2026
Chicago ranks 19th among cities in the StartupBlink Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, down from 16th in 2024. World Business Chicago also places Chicagoland ninth nationwide and 31st globally on the Global Innovation Index.
Sources: World Business Chicago, Chicagoland innovation ecosystem rankings, January 2026
6 of 6 shown
Nothing matches these filters.
-
1871
Nonprofit Chicago innovation hub with membership tiers for early and growth-stage startups, sector innovation labs, pitch competitions and a mentor community.
1871.com Latest activity: Sep 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Duality
Quantum startup accelerator based in Chicago with University of Chicago Booth and Polsky Center business training, facilities and quantum expert mentors.
- Run by
- University of Chicago
Quantum
dualityaccelerator.com Latest activity: Oct 2025 · Checked Oct 2026 -
MATTER
Healthcare innovation incubator at the Merchandise Mart connecting health startups with hospital and industry partners, including a Paratus Digital Health cohort.
Healthtech
matter.health Latest activity: May 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
mHUB
Chicago innovation center for hardtech startups with prototyping labs, incubation and accelerator programs, and industry partnerships.
Hardware & IoTIndustry & manufacturing
mhub.org Latest activity: Mar 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Chicago center running the New Venture Challenge accelerator and other founder programs, workshops and technology commercialization services.
- Run by
- University of Chicago
polsky.uchicago.edu Latest activity: Sep 2026 · Checked Oct 2026 -
Techstars Chicago
Chicago cohort program run with Long Chicago, giving selected startups mentors, investors and downtown office space for up to a year.
- Run by
- Techstars and Long Chicago
- Duration
- three months
All sectors
techstars.com Latest activity: Aug 2026 · Checked Oct 2026
How this list is made
Every card on this page passed the same three checks before it was published.
-
Opened on its own website
Each organization was read on its own site, not on a directory or press page.
-
Active in the last 18 months
A dated cohort, open call, demo day or news item is required. Its date is on the card; an announced one shows as Upcoming.
-
Checked a second time
A separate review re-read every record. Anything it could not confirm was left out.
What gets listed
- Accelerator cohorts
- Incubation with coaching or lab access
- Startup studios
- University founder centers
- Public programs with an application process
What is left out
- Investment funds without a program
- Office or coworking space without a program
- Programs with no dated activity in 18 months
Only what they state
Sector focus, duration, equity and funding appear only where the organization states them itself. A blank means it does not say, not that the answer is none.
Spotted a mistake?
Something out of date, or a program missing? Write to info@mentornity.com with a link to the official page.
Running a program like these?
Our guide covers how accelerators and incubators set up mentor pools, match founders with mentors and keep track of sessions across a cohort.