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Chicago Startup Weekend
Jan 31—Feb 02, 2025

Chicago Startup Weekend
Jan 31—Feb 02, 2025

Build your startup idea in a 3-day event featuring
world-class mentors, workshops, networking,
and a pitch competition with cash prizes.

Build your startup idea in a 3-day event featuring world-class mentors, workshops, networking, and a thrilling final pitch for cash prizes.

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DAY 1 — Friday, Jan 31
DAY 1 — Friday, Jan 31
DAY 1 — Friday, Jan 31

Welcome & Team Formation

Day 1 is all about networking, forming teams and getting familiar with the rules of the competition. Participants will pitch their ideas, and ideas with the top votes will be selected for team formation. Participants without ideas of their own will still be able to join a team and build a startup with their team throughout the weekend.

DAY 2 — Saturday, Feb 1
DAY 2 — Saturday, Feb 1
DAY 2 — Saturday, Feb 1

Networking, Mentorship & Workshops

Networking, Mentorship & Workshops

Day 2 will feature workshops designed to address essential aspects of building a successful startup. Participants will have the opportunity to network, and their teams will be assigned mentors that will meet with them to provide expertise and support their venture development.

Day 2 will feature workshops designed to address essential aspects of building a successful startup. Participants will have the opportunity to network, and their teams will be assigned mentors that will meet with them to provide expertise and support their venture development.

DAY 3 — Sunday, Feb 2
DAY 3 — Sunday, Feb 2
DAY 3 — Sunday, Feb 2

Final Pitches

Day 3, the final day of Chicago Startup Weekend, will feature workshops on how to give high quality pitches. The day will end with an exciting final pitch competition where teams will pitch their startups they’ve developed during the weekend to the panel of experienced judges. The event will end with winners being announced, and the winners will receive a grand prize.

After the event wraps up, participants are invited to an exclusive after party to celebrate all the hard work from the weekend!

Prizes

COMING SOON
COMING SOON
COMING SOON
2nd Place

$5K

1st Place

$10K

3rd Place

$1K

TRAILER VIDEO

FAQ

Everything you need to know about Chicago Startup Weekend. Still got questions? Shoot us an email.

What is Startup Weekend?

Participants work together over three days in person to develop a business idea and compete for the chance to win significant monetary investment and mentorship to get their startup off the ground. We welcome participants regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, or age! Over the last decade, Techstars Startup Weekends have been the birthplace of billion-dollar startup ideas. This event is catered to both beginners and seasoned founders! At startup weekend you’ll find mentors, catered meals, educational workshops, networking, and a grand final pitch in front of judges for a prize!

Do I have to come with an idea?

No! Ideas encouraged, but not required. You can join another team if you don't have an idea of your own.

Can anybody participate?

Yes! This event is open to new founders and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Where is the event venue?

We're working on confirming a location now. But expect it to be an awesome venue!

How many participants?

125 competitors maximum, 15 mentors, and 5 judges.

What is Startup Weekend?

Participants work together over three days in person to develop a business idea and compete for the chance to win significant monetary investment and mentorship to get their startup off the ground. We welcome participants regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, or age! Over the last decade, Techstars Startup Weekends have been the birthplace of billion-dollar startup ideas. This event is catered to both beginners and seasoned founders! At startup weekend you’ll find mentors, catered meals, educational workshops, networking, and a grand final pitch in front of judges for a prize!

Do I have to come with an idea?

No! Ideas encouraged, but not required. You can join another team if you don't have an idea of your own.

Can anybody participate?

Yes! This event is open to new founders and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Where is the event venue?

We're working on confirming a location now. But expect it to be an awesome venue!

How many participants?

125 competitors maximum, 15 mentors, and 5 judges.

What is Startup Weekend?

Participants work together over three days in person to develop a business idea and compete for the chance to win significant monetary investment and mentorship to get their startup off the ground. We welcome participants regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, political orientation, or age! Over the last decade, Techstars Startup Weekends have been the birthplace of billion-dollar startup ideas. This event is catered to both beginners and seasoned founders! At startup weekend you’ll find mentors, catered meals, educational workshops, networking, and a grand final pitch in front of judges for a prize!

Do I have to come with an idea?

No! Ideas encouraged, but not required. You can join another team if you don't have an idea of your own.

Can anybody participate?

Yes! This event is open to new founders and seasoned entrepreneurs.

Where is the event venue?

We're working on confirming a location now. But expect it to be an awesome venue!

How many participants?

125 competitors maximum, 15 mentors, and 5 judges.