Techstars Chicago, run with Long Chicago, is a 3-month accelerator offering $220K for 5% equity and open to all sectors. Applications close Nov 18, 2026.
Techstars Chicago is a three-month accelerator run in partnership with Long Chicago and open to startups in every sector. Chicago pairs a deep bench of corporate headquarters, financial institutions and industrial companies with a growing startup community, which makes the city a natural testing ground for B2B and enterprise products.
Selected companies work closely with mentors and the program team on customer discovery, sales, product and fundraising, and they graduate into the wider Techstars network of investors and alumni. Because the program does not restrict industries, it suits founders who want a generalist accelerator with strong local relationships in the Midwest.
Techstars is one of the largest accelerator networks in the world, and every program runs on the same model: a small cohort, an intensive three months of mentor-driven work, and a Demo Day where founders present to investors. Founders also get lifelong access to the Techstars alumni network, which many graduates cite as the most durable benefit of the program.
Applications for the Spring 2027 cohorts close on November 18, 2026 and the program starts on March 8, 2027. The standard Techstars terms are a $220K investment for 5% equity, so founders should come prepared to explain how the capital and the mentorship fit their next twelve months. Verify current terms and eligibility on the official application page before applying.
Founders should prepare a concise pitch deck covering team, traction, market and the specific use of funds, since reviewers read many applications.
Our pitch deck template will guide you through the requirements of an Accelerator-ready presentation.
