Chicago

12553 members

USA

Welcome to Startup Grind Chicago – the city's longest-standing startup community and your gateway to the world’s largest startup network!

We operate on 3 core values:

  1. Give First
  2. Make Friends
  3. Help Others

Since 2012, we've been on a mission to educate, inspire, and connect the startup ecosystem across the Chicagoland area. As part of the global Startup Grind family, which spans over 600 cities and 125 countries, we bring investors, builders, and operators together to raise money, share knowledge, and spark new partnerships.

Our monthly events range from intimate fireside chats with industry leaders to high-energy pitch competitions like our annual Summer Pitch Battle. We also host themed showcases highlighting sectors like AI, edtech, food & bev, and more.

Whether you're scaling your startup, launching your first venture, looking to invest in Chicago's next big thing, or just curious about the scene, you're welcome here. Join our community of over 12,500 members.


KEY LINKS & RESOURCES: 

  • Click the 'Join' button down below to officially become a chapter member (FREE!) and get our newsletter where you'll never miss an event, perk, or announcement.
  • Take our quick survey so we can bring the right resources to you.
  • Join our chapter Whatsapp group.
  • Got a startup of your own? Join our global Startup Grind membership - the most connected startup network in the world.


LOVE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

Startup Grind Chicago events and more are made possible in part by the support of our friends at CodeLaunch - the only equity-free accelerator providing software development, a massive pitch stage, exposure to hundreds of investors and stakeholders, and the opportunity to win capital investment -- all for FREE -- all wrapped into a Venturetainment spectacle.

Apply for the CodeLaunch USA regional today (application deadline July 6)


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Thank you to System Seltzers for being the official beverage provider of Startup Grind Chicago. System Seltzer's is the world's first inclusive drinking system, offering hard seltzers at 0%, 5%, and 8% abv.


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Startup Grind Chicago is led by Rajiv 'RajNATION' Nathan and Sid Khaitan. RajNATION is the Founder of Startup Hypeman, a globally-recognized Pitch Artist helping startups refine their pitch to attract investors, increase revenue, and become the GOAT to Market. Sid is Sr. Product Marketer at Beekeeper, Content Artist at Startup Hypeman, and a top SaaS content marketer.

Connect with us on Linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivnathan/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidktan/


We can't wait to see you at the next event!

🚀 Need help raising your next round? Join the Startup Exhibition at the SG Conference in Silicon Valley on April 27-29, 2026! Our top 100 exhibitors from past years have raised over $1.5B, and we can't wait to see what deals come from the 2026 batch. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your startup to 5,000+ entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators. Apply now as a startup or scaleup for 2026!!

Contact Us

Join

Upcoming Events

Organizers

Global Sponsors

Local Sponsors

Past Events

Partners

Upcoming events

2025년 6월 10일

Community [External]

Startup School: Agentic AI

Google's Startup School: Agentic AI offers a cutting-edge curriculum focused on helping startup organizations adapt and scale AI agents. This hands-on training series enables teams across the startup ecosystem to learn how to build generative AI applications on Google Cloud.

2025년 6월 17일

In-Person Event

Startup SWEAT Night!

Put your fundraise on pause and prioritize your fitness for a night with the SG community!

2025년 7월 24일

Community [External]

F(o)under Forum

We've partnered with Midwest Founders Community and Startup Hypeman for an IRL daytime event bringing together founders ...

2025년 7월 24일

In-Person Event

9th Annual Pitch Battle and Summer Party

Join us for the biggest party of the summer and the most unique pitch competition ever held, live from Workbox LOOP!

Organizers

Rajiv Nathan

Director Startup Grind & Startup Hypeman

Sid Khaitan

Sid Khaitan

Head of Community

Julia Bauer

Event Coordinator

Contact us

Past events

In-Person Event

Treating Founders as HUMANS: Fireside Chat with 11 Tribes VC Kristina Chapple

In-Person Conference

Startup Grind Conference 2025

Community [External]

AI’s Future, VCs’ Bets: Insights from Top Investors for Startup Founders

In-Person Event

Startup Mania presented by HubSpot for Startups

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About Startup Grind

This is Startup Grind. We are the world’s largest startup community.

Our Mission

To give startups everywhere the education and opportunities they need to build, grow, and scale their companies.

Our Values

We believe in making friends, not contacts. We believe in giving first, not taking. We believe in helping others before helping yourself.

Tools & Discounts for Startups

Take advantage of resources and offers provided by organizations we know and love, designed to help you navigate the startup journey.

Startup Grind Conference

Our annual flagship event in Silicon Valley brings together thousands of startup teams, investors and organizations from all over the world.

Join the Startup Membership

This membership gives you free access to networking, events, mentorship, office hours, and other exclusive opportunities curated by Startup Grind HQ.

Global Sponsors

Local Sponsors

Partners