Techstars Chicago: price, who can join and alternatives
Techstars Chicago is an early-stage accelerator and venture fund run in partnership with Long Chicago, and it is not tied to any industry. Selected companies get mentors and investors, office space in downtown Chicago for up to a year and a programme focused on building and fundraising. Applications for the next programme close on 18 November 2026, with the accelerator starting on 8 March 2027.
Techstars Chicago at a glance
| What | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Ambitious founders in any industry | techstars.com |
| What it is | An early-stage accelerator and venture fund with Long Chicago | techstars.com |
| Where | Office space in downtown Chicago for up to a year | techstars.com |
| Support | Investors and mentors for selected companies | techstars.com |
| Open intake | Applications opened 24 August 2026; final deadline 18 November 2026 | techstars.com |
| Upcoming event | Accelerator starts 8 March 2027; demo day 3 June 2027 | techstars.com |
| Programme focus | Centred on building and fundraising | techstars.com |
| Length | Three months of mentorship-driven support | techstars.com |
| Recent activity | Spring 2026 accelerator companies announced on 9 March 2026 | techstars.com |
Who it suits
- Venture-scale founders ready to fundraise
- Founders who want a cohort, mentors and a demo day
- Midwest founders who want downtown Chicago office space
Who it doesn't suit
- Bootstrappers who do not want outside investment
- Anyone wanting a drop-in meetup
- Founders who cannot commit to a three-month programme
Alternatives to Techstars 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 Techstars Chicago
- When is the Techstars Chicago deadline?
- The final deadline is 18 November 2026. Applications opened on 24 August 2026.
- When does the programme run?
- The accelerator starts on 8 March 2027 and demo day is 3 June 2027.
- Is it for a specific industry?
- No. It is not industry or vertical focused, and all ambitious founders can apply.
- What do selected companies get?
- Investors and mentors, office space in downtown Chicago for up to a year, and a programme centred on building and fundraising.
- Website
- techstars.com
- Price
- Not published
- Entry rule
- Application; final deadline 18 November 2026
- Format
- Three-month accelerator with investment, mentors and downtown office space
- Checked
Techstars Chicago isn't connected to Remote Builders. Prices and entry rules change, so check techstars.com before you apply. Spotted something out of date? Tell us in the members' chat.