Global sponsors

Novel Capital

Novel Capital provides non-dilutive growth capital to early-stage B2B tech startups. Leverage your predictable revenue for on-demand access of up to $5M in funding. Whether you need to round out or bridge equity rounds, accelerate sales & marketing, hire to support implementations, or smooth our seasonal/cyclical cashflow, Novel can help.

AMEX

Our Corporate Program for Startups* provides you with powerful backing and working capital, plus all the benefits, business tools, and guidance that comes with American Express. From idea to IPO and beyond, we’re with you for the long haul.

Dell Technologies

Partnering with Dell from the start will allow you to save money in the short and long-term. Dell can provide any product you need, from one computer to an entire enterprise solution, allowing you to get all your hardware and software needs without having to switch from company to company.

DuploCloud, Inc.

DuploCloud’s no-code/low-code software platform is your DevSecOps expert, speeding time-to-market by translating high-level application specifications into detailed and fully managed cloud configurations. With pre-programmed knowledge of over 500 cloud services, the platform automatically provisions your application utilizing AWS best practices around security, availability and compliance standards.

Local sponsors

This Could Be You Ad

For use in open add space

HubSpot

Software that's powerful, not overpowering. Seamlessly connect your data, teams, and customers on one CRM platform that grows with your business.

Partners

Industrious

Industrious, the largest premium flexible workspace provider in the U.S., pairs thoughtfully-designed spaces with hospitality-driven services and amenities to offer scalable workplace solutions for companies of all sizes and stages. 6 Chicago locations: Fulton Market, River North, Gold Coast, West Loop, Wicker Park, Evanston.

Startup Hypeman

Startup Hypeman helps startups NOT suck at telling their story so they stand out to their audience and stand apart from competitors. Founders and CEOs at startups of all stages collaborate with us to convert their Vision into pitches for capital raises, customer acquisition, and category creation so their audience doesn’t acknowledge them as the best, they acknowledge them as the ONLY.

The Hatchery

Food businesses create good jobs with relatively low corresponding educational requirements. A lack of affordable food-grade spaces available for rent and the high upfront cost to build out a food-grade space creates a significant barrier to growth for food entrepreneurs. The Hatchery removes these barriers to growth and creates good jobs in the City of Chicago.

SipMate

We believe that there are simple solutions for worldwide personal care problems, so we created our first all-natural spray-on product that prevents the teeth-staining effects of high-tannin beverages such as red wine, coffee, tea, etc.

FYC Labs

FYC Labs is a 10-year-old award-winning full-service UI/UX and development studio that helps companies create digital experiences and products. We use an Agile approach to ensure our client’s products are delivered on time and within budget. Whether our clients are start-ups seeking strategic product and technology guidance or an established business looking to change things up, our talented engineers and designers are here to support their goals.

Bond Collective

Thoughtfully curated boutique work environments that provide an unmatched experience.

P33 Chicago

P33 is an intentional and collaborative effort led by Chicago business and tech leaders across the private and public-sector to build Chicago’s recognition as a tier-one tech hub. P33's flagship program, TechRise, features a weekly $25k pitch competition for Chicago women & BIPOC founders.

System Seltzers

System is a lifestyle, one that provides something for everyone - whether you are engaging with alcohol or not. The First Inclusive Drinking System reflects how our community drinks both today and tomorrow. We see a beverage future that includes alcoholic, non-alcoholic and forward-thinking options. Each 9pk of SYSTEM SELTZER includes (3) 12oz cans of 0% ABV, 5% ABV and 8% ABV. Natural Flavors and Gluten Free Electrolyte Charged

Cumin Club

5-Minute Meal Kits. Delivered. 30+ dishes curated by expert Indian chefs for your everyday meals.

Masala Kitchens

Indian-inspired restaurant brands.

Uncle Remus' Saucy Fried Chicken

For over 50 years, Uncle Remus Saucy Fried Chicken has been serving up delicious and saucy meals to satisfied customers. Our story began with Gus and Mary Rickette, who left the Jim Crow laws of the south behind in search of a better life. In 1991, they retired and passed the torch to their daughter, Charmaine Rickette Alfred, who now serves as CEO and oversees all three of our restaurant locations and our food truck, Big Saucy.

Bluestein Ventures

We invest in the future of food. We’re looking for game-changing, early-stage ventures across the food industry that redefine how consumers achieve their health and wellness. Our investments span the entire value chain – both B2C and B2B – with a focus on four areas: High-growth consumer brands Proprietary foodtech Next-gen commerce Value-add digital technology

Sweets by Kash

Located just outside of Chicago in the suburb of Algonquin, you will find us, Sweets by Kash. Inspired by my sons love for strawberries, our signature chocolate covered berries are just an appetizer to the sweets we offer. Stay awhile and look around... you may find a treat or 10 that catch your eye!

BāKIT Box

BāKIT Box is a specialty baking kit service aimed at creating cultural experiences in the household through baking. We offer our customers a changing selection of culturally diverse recipes and all the pre-measured ingredients and a detailed instructional card needed to create that delicious treat at home.

Consulttopia

Trying to level up your startup or small business? Our expert consultants will help you set up financial dashboards to track your revenue and increase profits, get form legal contracts in place to protect you and your company, and more! Reach out for a free consultation today.

MyStrongCircle

MyStrongCircle is a fitness marketplace offering bundled memberships with unlimited classes to two or three fitness studios of your choice.

Leagueswype

We make collecting and paying out winnings in fantasy sports as easy as Venmo makes paying your friends for Taco Tuesday.

Revòlt Smoothies

Revòlt Smoothies seeks to increase the amount of healthy food options in the Black Community of Chicago.

BettorVision

Bettor Vision is the only app that combines all your sportsbook and fantasy sports accounts in one place, saving you time so you don't miss any of the action.

SwitchedOn

SwitchedOn is helping optimize human performance by combining physical and cognitive training using just your mobile device.

Drip

Drip is a sports tech company building products for athletes to achieve peak performance. Our incoming product smart apparel; bluetooth enabled hydration monitoring athletic apparel for athletes. Personalized hydration through smart garments.

Plasia

Assets on demand for student-athletes.