Chicago Startup Events: price, who can join and alternatives
Chicago Startup Events (CSE) brings founders together through stage-aligned events and practical learning, and helps founders discover opportunities and build relationships across the city. It marked its first year in July 2026 and has a curated growth-stage founder dinner with 12 founder seats on 3 December 2026. Registration for the dinner is subject to host approval.
Chicago Startup Events at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Founders working through the mechanics of building a company | luma.com |
| Format | Stage-aligned events and practical learning | luma.com |
| Upcoming event | Growth founder dinner for HealthTech and FinTech founders, Thursday 3 December 2026 | luma.com |
| Dinner format | Invitation-only dinner on growth decisions, no pitches | luma.com |
| Dinner size | One table with 12 founder seats | luma.com |
| Dinner fit | Founders with an operating business, customers and revenue | luma.com |
| Entry | Dinner registration needs host approval | luma.com |
| Recent activity | Year One celebration on Wednesday 15 July 2026 | luma.com |
| Where | The July 2026 celebration was at Three Cities Social Club, River North | luma.com |
| History | Launched a year before July 2026 to help founders find opportunities and relationships | luma.com |
Who it suits
- Founders who want events matched to their company stage
- Growth-stage HealthTech and FinTech founders looking for a small peer dinner
- Founders who want help discovering Chicago startup opportunities
Who it doesn't suit
- Pre-revenue founders hoping for a seat at the growth dinner
- Anyone wanting a regular weekly meetup
- People who want an open, no-approval event
Alternatives to Chicago Startup Events
| Community | Price | Entry rule |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Million Cups Chicago | Not published | Open; register on Luma, apply to present |
| 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 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 Chicago Startup Events
- What is Chicago Startup Events?
- A Chicago founder community that runs stage-aligned events and practical learning, and helps founders discover opportunities and build relationships.
- What is coming up?
- A growth founder dinner for HealthTech, FinTech and technology founders on Thursday 3 December 2026, with 12 founder seats.
- Who can attend the dinner?
- Founders with an operating business, customers and revenue. Registration is subject to host approval.
- How long has it been running?
- It celebrated its first year on 15 July 2026.
- Website
- luma.com
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Varies; dinner seats need host approval
- Format
- Stage-aligned founder events, curated founder dinners and an events calendar
- Checked
Chicago Startup Events 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.