Startup Grind Chicago: price, who can join and alternatives
Startup Grind Chicago hosts monthly events to connect, inspire and educate the Chicago startup ecosystem. Chapter membership is free, and events such as its annual All-Stars pitch night are ticketed in US dollars. Its next event, on 19 November 2026, looks at grants, crowdfunding and state investment programmes as alternatives to venture capital.
Startup Grind Chicago at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | The Chicago startup ecosystem, led by local founders | startupgrind.com |
| Size | Says it has 13,162 members | startupgrind.com |
| Price | Chapter membership is free | startupgrind.com |
| Upcoming event | Beyond VC panel, Thursday 19 November 2026 at 6pm Chicago time | startupgrind.com |
| Upcoming topic | Grants, crowdfunding and state investment programmes as alternatives to venture capital | startupgrind.com |
| Recent activity | All-Stars pitch night on 24 September 2026 | startupgrind.com |
| Pitch night | Second annual battle of one-minute pitches for Chicago's Rising Startup of the Year | startupgrind.com |
| Where | All-Stars was at Ferris & Co., 1 West Monroe Street | startupgrind.com |
| Ticket price | All-Stars tickets were sold in USD, for example US$20 | startupgrind.com |
Who it suits
- Founders who want a monthly event with speakers and a crowd
- Founders practising a one-minute pitch
- People who want to hear about non-dilutive funding in Illinois
Who it doesn't suit
- Founders after a small, closed peer group
- Anyone expecting every event to be free
- Founders wanting weekly accountability
Alternatives to Startup Grind Chicago
| 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 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 |
Compare all 471 founder communities, each row dated.
Questions about Startup Grind Chicago
- Is Startup Grind Chicago free?
- Chapter membership is free. Events are ticketed, and the All-Stars pitch night was priced in US dollars, for example US$20.
- How often does it meet?
- It hosts monthly events for the Chicago ecosystem.
- What is next?
- Beyond VC, a session on grants, crowdfunding and state investment programmes, on Thursday 19 November 2026.
- Can I pitch?
- Its annual All-Stars night is a battle of one-minute pitches. The second edition ran on 24 September 2026.
- Website
- startupgrind.com
- Price
- Free chapter membership; event tickets priced in US$
- Entry rule
- Open; join free, buy event tickets
- Format
- Monthly in-person events and an annual pitch night
- Checked
Startup Grind Chicago isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check startupgrind.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.