1 Million Cups Chicago: price, who can join and alternatives
1 Million Cups Chicago brings the national 1 Million Cups format to the city: a weekly Wednesday morning gathering where founders present and the room connects over coffee. It meets at TeamWorking by TechNexus at 20 N Wacker Dr and is hosted by Chicago Tech Collaborative. Founders who want to present apply through 1 Million Cups.
1 Million Cups Chicago at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Entrepreneurs, dreamers and doers | luma.com |
| Where | TeamWorking by TechNexus, 20 N Wacker Dr, 12th floor | luma.com |
| Frequency | Every Wednesday morning | luma.com |
| Upcoming event | Wednesday 4 November 2026, 9am Chicago time | luma.com |
| Recent activity | Met on Wednesday 28 October 2026 | luma.com |
| Host | Hosted by Chicago Tech Collaborative | luma.com |
| Origin | Part of the national 1 Million Cups movement | luma.com |
| Presenting | Founders can apply to present | luma.com |
Who it suits
- Founders who want feedback from a friendly morning audience
- People who can spare an hour on Wednesday mornings
- Early founders practising how they explain their business
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders looking for a closed peer group
- Anyone who can only do evenings or weekends
- Investors wanting curated deal flow
Alternatives to 1 Million Cups Chicago
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1871 | Individual $200 a month or $2000 a year (currency not named) | Fill out an application form |
| Chicago Founders Club | Free | Open; register on Sweatpals |
| Chicago Indie Hackers | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| Chicago Startup Events | Not published | Varies; dinner seats need host approval |
| Chicago Women Visionary Entrepreneurs | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| Founder's Therapy Chicago | Not published | Open; RSVP on Meetup |
| LaFamilia Chicago | Pay what you want; $25 suggested at its October 2026 event (currency not named) | Request to join each event; some by application |
| MATTER | Flex free; Select $400 a month (currency not named) | Sign up for Flex; apply for Select |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about 1 Million Cups Chicago
- When does 1 Million Cups Chicago meet?
- Every Wednesday morning. The next listed session is 4 November 2026 at 9am.
- Where is it?
- TeamWorking by TechNexus, 20 N Wacker Dr, 12th floor, Chicago.
- How do I present?
- Apply to present through 1 Million Cups; the event page links to the application.
- Website
- luma.com
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Open; register on Luma, apply to present
- Format
- Weekly Wednesday morning coffee where founders present
- Checked
1 Million Cups Chicago isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check luma.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.