Chicago’s
founder events.
Discover meetups, founder dinners and practical tech events.
THE CHICAGO FOUNDER COMMUNITY
Startup and tech events in Chicago
Explore Chicago startup showcases, founder meetups and technology workshops. Check each event for its location, entry requirements and organiser booking link.
All event times are local to Chicago. Listings are reviewed before publication; confirm final details with the organiser.
Upcoming community events in Chicago
The next published listings are shown below. Explore the calendar above for more dates, topics and the full event details.
· 08:30
Reinventing Industry: Future of Health
TechNexus Venture Collaborative with Grainger College of Engineering and Landuyt Center · TeamWorking by TechNexus
Healthtech founders meet peers and potential partners at a breakfast featuring engineering-startup showcases and product demonstrations.
· 14:00
Innovation on Tap
Current · mHUB
Early-stage water-technology founders join startup pitches, an expert panel and networking with potential growth partners. E4F editorial curation. Source: Current — https://luma.com/0g0mf7ze. Checked 12 October 2026.
· 17:30
Grassroots Tech Community Meetup — Halloween Edition
Chicago Grassroots Tech Community · Chicago — address after registration
Founders, engineers and product builders meet potential collaborators and share what they are building.
· 14:00
IVGDA Chicago - Game Developers' Meetup
Indie Video Game Developers Association · Capital One Café, 100 S State St, Chicago, IL
IVGDA Chicago - Game Developers' Meetup is a meetup in Chicago, hosted by Indie Video Game Developers Association. The listing includes an opportunity for founders to pitch, demonstrate or present. Check the organiser’s registration page fo…
· 14:00
Chicago Code and Coffee — October 25
Chicago Code and Coffee / John Komarnicki · Ferris & Co.
Software builders work on projects and meet peers, with an introduction circle to share what they are building and where they can help. E4F editorial curation. Source: Chicago Code and Coffee / John Komarnicki — https://luma.com/8vz3qxaf. …
· 18:00
Tiller: Structure, Gates, and State for Human + Agent Teams
Agent Loop - Chicago · TeamWorking by TechNexus, 20 N Wacker Dr 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Tiller: Structure, Gates, and State for Human + Agent Teams is a meetup in Chicago, hosted by Agent Loop - Chicago. Listed speakers: JC Grubbs. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requiremen…
· 09:00
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable
Founder’s Therapy - Chicago · Bitter Pops, 3345 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable is a morning or coffee gathering in Chicago, hosted by Founder’s Therapy - Chicago. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requirements.
· 09:30
Investor Ready Workshop
Clarence Bethea and 1871, powered by TriNet · Edelman
A practical fundraising workshop for startup founders led by Clarence Bethea with 1871. Work on pitch structure, investor questions and confident communication through exercises and feedback. E4F editorial curation. Source: Clarence Bethea…
· 10:00
Business Acumen: B2B Growth - Finding Partners, Landing Contracts
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · Polsky Exchange North, 1452 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Business Acumen: B2B Growth - Finding Partners, Landing Contracts is a workshop in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Listed speakers: Watchen Nyanue. Check the organiser’s registration page for the progra…
· 12:00
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Incorporation 101 for Startups with Scott Smedresman
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · Chicago Booth Harper Center, 5807 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Incorporation 101 for Startups with Scott Smedresman is a workshop in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Listed speakers: Scott Smedresman. Check the organiser’s registrat…
· 10:00
Choosing the Right Entity for your Business
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · Polsky Exchange North, 1452 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Choosing the Right Entity for your Business is a workshop in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Listed speakers: Beth Kregor. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any…
· 10:00
Oak Park Education Network STEAM Fest 2026
Chibots the Chicago Area Robotics Group · Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302, USA, IL
Oak Park Education Network STEAM Fest 2026 is a meetup in Chicago, hosted by Chibots the Chicago Area Robotics Group. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requirements.
· 12:00
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Customer Discovery for Startups with Melissa Byrn
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · Chicago Booth Harper Center, 5807 S Woodlawn Ave, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Customer Discovery for Startups with Melissa Byrn is a workshop in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Listed speakers: Melissa Byrn. Check the organiser’s registration pag…
· 09:00
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable
Founder’s Therapy - Chicago · Bitter Pops, 3345 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable is a morning or coffee gathering in Chicago, hosted by Founder’s Therapy - Chicago. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requirements.
· 12:00
1871 Fintech Innovation Summit: The Next Financial System
1871 Events · Venue to be confirmed by organiser
1871 Fintech Innovation Summit: The Next Financial System is a conference in Chicago, hosted by 1871 Events. The source listing indicates that investors will attend. The listing includes an opportunity for founders to pitch, demonstrate or …
· 15:00
Incorporation/Organization Day
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · Polsky Exchange North, 1452 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615, USA
Incorporation/Organization Day is a workshop in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requirements.
· 17:00
Chicago Innovation Awards: 25th Annual Celebration
Chicago Innovation · UIC Forum, 1213 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60607
Chicago Innovation Awards: 25th Annual Celebration is a startup showcase in Chicago, hosted by Chicago Innovation. The source listing indicates that investors will attend. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availabil…
· 15:00
Build the Table: Friendsgiving 2026 — Hospitality Buildathon
HumanBloom Collective · Chicago — address after registration
Founders, developers and designers use Lovable to build hospitality and food-technology ideas together.
· 09:00
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable
Founder’s Therapy - Chicago · Bitter Pops, 3345 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL
Founder’s Therapy - Coffee Roundtable is a morning or coffee gathering in Chicago, hosted by Founder’s Therapy - Chicago. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availability and any entry requirements.
– · 09:00 on first day
Q2B 2026 x Chicago Quantum Summit
QC Ware + Chicago Quantum Exchange · Marriott Marquis Chicago + McCormick Place, 2121 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Q2B 2026 x Chicago Quantum Summit is a conference in Chicago, hosted by QC Ware + Chicago Quantum Exchange. The listing includes an opportunity for founders to pitch, demonstrate or present. This event spans multiple dates; check the organi…
· 08:00
Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation · David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago, 1201 E 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon is a conference in Chicago, hosted by Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The source listing indicates that investors will attend. Check the organiser’s registration page for the programme, availabilit…