Tech & Startup Events in Chicago

Chicago is the Midwest's strongest startup hub, with deep roots in B2B SaaS, logistics, fintech, and manufacturing tech. The city hosts hundreds of founder events each year. Browse upcoming startup and networking events in Chicago.

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Tue, Sep 1

Wed, Sep 2

AI Tech & Startup Night - Chicago

Midwest Coast Brewing Company - 2137 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMNomad Global Hub
Startup Founders Meetup I Chicago

Midwest Coast Brewing Company - 2137 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMAstra Tech Hub, LLC

Thu, Sep 3

Tue, Sep 8

Tue, Sep 8

Tech and Business Networking

Hubbard Inn - 110 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 8:00 PMStrive Networking
Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMClaude Community EventsFree

Thu, Sep 10

Fri, Sep 11

Mon, Sep 14

Wed, Sep 16

The Nominee Celebration

CineCity Studios Chicago - 2429 West 14th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, IL, US

5:00 PM - 7:30 PMChicago Innovation

Wed, Sep 16

Fri, Sep 18

Mon, Sep 21

Wed, Sep 23

Thu, Sep 24

Women in Tech Chicago 2026

Arlo Chicago (Formerly Hotel Julian) - 168 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com
Chicago Tech Mixer 2026

Arlo Chicago (Formerly Hotel Julian) - 168 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com
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Related guides

Resources for founders and operators in this city.

City Guides

Chicago Startup Events: What Founders Need to Know

Find the best Chicago startup events for founders. Curated list of B2B SaaS meetups, logistics tech events, and networking dinners in Chicago.

Upcoming events in Chicago

Tue, Sep 1

BioTech Fermenter: Chicago's Biotech Meetup

Pilot Project Brewing - Logan Square - 2140 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647, Chicago, IL, US

6:30 PM - 8:30 PMChiTownBio

Chicago's largest monthly networking event for biotech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and evangelists. A chill event for everyone in biotech.

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Wed, Sep 2

Generative AI for Society and Workplace

Chicago - Online Event, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDChicago AI Events on Eventbrite

Explore how Generative AI is reshaping society and workplaces, enhancing productivity and innovation.

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AI Tech & Startup Night - Chicago

Midwest Coast Brewing Company - 2137 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMNomad Global Hub

Meet investors, pitch your idea, and build valuable connections at our smart networking and startup pitch night!

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Startup Founders Meetup I Chicago

Midwest Coast Brewing Company - 2137 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMAstra Tech Hub, LLC

A curated room for AI and Tech founders, investors, and professionals.

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Startup Pitch & Investor Connect — Chicago

Pilot Project Brewing - Logan Square - 2140 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMNomad Global Hub

Evening designed specifically for investors, scouts, enture-ready founders and Tech enthusiasts in Chicago

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VC Networking & Tech Pitch I Chicago

Midwest Coast Brewing Company - 2137 West Walnut Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMAstra Tech Hub, LLC

A curated room for AI and Tech founders, investors, and professionals.

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Thu, Sep 3

CHICAGO AI STARTUP & INVESTOR EXCHANGE

THE MART - 222 West Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654, Chicago, IL, US

7:00 PM - 10:00 PMChicago Emerging Tech Network

Meet up with Chicago’s hottest AI founders and investors to swap ideas and spark the next big thing in tech.

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Application Deadline: Fall 2026 I-Corps Program

Venue to be announced

3:00 PMpolsky.uchicago.edu

<p>The National Science Foundation\'s I-Corps program supports teams working on ideas in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. The Polsky Center offers a local I-Corps program for teams including faculty, students, staff, and alumni from the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, the Marine Biological Laboratory, and Chicago-area universities. No previous business...</p>\n

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Chicago Business & Tech Social: Connect, Launch & Grow

Adamus Lounge - 10 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 8:30 PMChicago Forward Network

Meet cool folks, spark new ideas, and kickstart your next big project at this laid-back biz and tech hangout.

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Tue, Sep 8

Tue, Sep 8

Harnessing AI for Marketing Innovation

Chicago - Online Event, Chicago, IL 0, IL, US

12:00 PM - 2:00 PMRapid Skill Up

Learn how AI transforms marketing strategies with innovative automation, personalization, and analytics tools.

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Tech and Business Networking

Hubbard Inn - 110 West Hubbard Street, Chicago, IL 60654, Chicago, IL, US

6:00 PM - 8:00 PMStrive Networking

Strive welcomes you to 'Tech and Business Networking', an event for tenured and newcomers at Hubbard Inn! Event is 21+. Limited Tickets.

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Chicago

Chicago, Illinois, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMClaude Community EventsFree
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Thu, Sep 10

AI for Veteran-Owned Businesses

1308 S Kilbourn Ave - 1308 South Kilbourn Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60623, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com

Learn how artificial intelligence can help your Veteran-owned business save time, improve daily operations, strengthen procurement readiness

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Fri, Sep 11

Mon, Sep 14

StartUps, Entrepreneurs, Investors Networking & Pitch Event Chicago

2959 N California Ave - Ludlow Liquors, 2959 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60618, US

Time TBDChicago Startup Events on Eventbrite

Join us for an evening of business-focused networking, bringing together entrepreneurs, startup founders, investors, and professionals.

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Wed, Sep 16

Empowering Modern HR Teams with AI

Chicago - Online Event, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com

How modern HR teams are using AI to hire smarter, uncover people insights, and cut HR admin work.

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The Nominee Celebration

CineCity Studios Chicago - 2429 West 14th Street, Chicago, IL 60608, IL, US

5:00 PM - 7:30 PMChicago Innovation

One of the biggest end-of-summer events for the innovation community, where we celebrate all the nominees for the Chicago Innovation Awards.

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Wed, Sep 16

Fri, Sep 18

Application Deadline: Entrepreneurship for Science and Medicine

Venue to be announced

3:00 PMpolsky.uchicago.edu

<p>Graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, researchers, and faculty conducting scientific research and study at UChicago, Argonne, and Fermilab are encouraged to apply for Entrepreneurship for Science and Medicine. This noncredit course will provide an introduction to the field of entrepreneurship, not only familiarizing participants with common topics and frameworks, but also introducing them to real-life entrepreneurs...</p>\n

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Application Deadline: New Business Start Support Program

Venue to be announced

4:00 PMpolsky.uchicago.edu

<p>The Small Business Development Center\'s (SBDC) New Business Start Support Program guides aspiring entrepreneurs from idea to official business launch. Through structured weekly sessions, one-on-one advising, and hands-on compliance support, the program ensures that each client completes required registrations, conducts early business activities, and documents measurable economic impact. The program: - Supports clients in officially...</p>\n

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Mon, Sep 21

Tech Startups, Investors, Professionals Pitch & Networking Chicago

2959 N California Ave - Ludlow Liquors, 2959 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618, Chicago, IL, US

7:00 PM - 10:00 PMBusiness Minds Events

Join us at Chicago Tech Connect for a night of networking with fellow startups, entrepreneurs, and professionals in the tech industry!

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Wed, Sep 23

Chicago AI & Startup Founders Night

South Loop, Chicago (Venue TBA) - South Loop, Chicago, IL 60602, Chicago, IL, US

6:30 AM - 8:30 AMMoomolab-Chicago

Meet Chicago’s brightest AI geeks and startup founders for a night of networking and cool ideas!

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AI Implementation in Business

Chicago - Online Event, Chicago, IL 0, Chicago, IL, US

12:00 PM - 2:00 PMRapid Skill Up

Learn how Artificial Intelligence can transform operations, boost efficiency, and drive industry growth!

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Thu, Sep 24

Women in Tech Chicago 2026

Arlo Chicago (Formerly Hotel Julian) - 168 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com

THE BEST NETWORKING IN CHICAGO!!!

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Chicago Tech Mixer 2026

Arlo Chicago (Formerly Hotel Julian) - 168 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60601, US

Time TBDeventbrite.com

THE BEST NETWORKING IN Chicago!!!

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Startup Grind All-Stars Pitch Night

Ferris & Co. - 1 West Monroe Street, Chicago, IL, 60603, US

6:00 PM - 9:00 PMRajiv NathanUSD 10.00

Join us for the second annual Startup Grind All-Stars! A battle of 1-minute pitches to crown Chicago's Rising Startup of the Year!

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Thu, Oct 1

Fri, Nov 20

Application Deadline: Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Pitch Competition

Venue to be announced

3:00 PMpolsky.uchicago.edu

<p>Calling all early-stage quantum startups: Duality Accelerator invites you to pitch your quantum innovation on a global stage. Apply to compete in the Q2B26 x Chicago Quantum Summit Pitch Competition and showcase your startup to hundreds of venture capitalists, investors, and industry leaders—live on December 8, 2026. What\'s at Stake The winning startup receives a...</p>\n

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Related guides

More resources for founders and operators in this city.

City Guides

Chicago Startup Events: What Founders Need to Know

Find the best Chicago startup events for founders. Curated list of B2B SaaS meetups, logistics tech events, and networking dinners in Chicago.