Startup accelerators in Illinois
9 verified startup accelerators on Accelerator Atlas are based in Illinois. They span PropTech & Construction, Climate & Energy, and HealthTech & MedTech. Programs here include Chain Reaction Innovations, Evergreen Climate Innovations (formerly Clean Energy Trust), and Financial Solutions Lab (FinLab). Each listing shows its source and the date we last checked it.
Showing 9 of 9 programs
| Check size | Equity | Terms | Format | Next window | Signal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Reaction Innovationsenergy and science hard tech | $115,000/year stipend for two years plus healthcare benefits | Not publishedApply page states: 'Stipend of $115k per year for two years plus healthcare benefits', resolving the previously null stipend figure, and confirms 'Neither Argonne nor DOE take an equity stake in the startup.' Cohort 2026 applications closed; site states applications for Cohort 2027 will open in September 2026, with no exact dates posted yet. US citizenship or lawful permanent residency required at time of application. | Non-dilutive | IL | In person | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| Evergreen Climate Innovations (formerly Clean Energy Trust)Midwest climate tech seed investing | typically $200,000-$300,000 | Not publishedNonprofit impact investor (501vc Investment Fund), not a cohort accelerator. 501vc page now states typical investments of $200,000-$300,000 into pre-seed/seed climate startups in the 16-state Greater Midwest (IA, IL, IN, WI, MI, MN, KS, MO, OH, TN, KY, ND, SD, CO, NE, western PA). Fall 2026 cycle open, deadline Aug 17, 2026; fall and spring cycles each run an approximately five-month investment process. Instrument type not specified. Opportunities page also lists sponsor awards (U.S. Bank Foundation Cleantech Award, Nicor Gas Illinois Innovator Award), amounts not published. | Equity for cash | IL | Remote | Aug 17, 2026 | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| Financial Solutions Lab (FinLab)financial health / inclusive fintech | Not publishedHistorically provided non-dilutive capital to accelerator cohorts with JPMorgan Chase (and later Prudential) backing, but the current Financial Health Network program page (last modified Dec 2024) lists no recent cohort, terms, or open applications, so amounts null and status flagged possibly_inactive. DEADLINE: No accelerator cohort or application window announced in 18+ months on the program's own page; next_deadline null. | Not publishedHistorically provided non-dilutive capital to accelerator cohorts with JPMorgan Chase (and later Prudential) backing, but the current Financial Health Network program page (last modified Dec 2024) lists no recent cohort, terms, or open applications, so amounts null and status flagged possibly_inactive. DEADLINE: No accelerator cohort or application window announced in 18+ months on the program's own page; next_deadline null. | Non-dilutive | IL | Hybrid | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | VerifiedPossibly dormantWe could not confirm a recent or upcoming cohort. It may have paused or wound down. Verify before applying. |
| MATTER | Not publishedMembership-based healthcare incubator, not an equity accelerator. Verified pricing (matter.health/join/startups, 2026-07-22): Flex tier $0/month (digital curriculum, knowledge library, member Slack); Select tier $400/month (100+ mentors, assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practices, Chicago coworking/event space). No cash investment through membership and no equity terms advertised. Also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (third cohort of 13 startups announced May 2026). Membership applications accepted on a rolling basis via the site. | Not publishedMembership-based healthcare incubator, not an equity accelerator. Verified pricing (matter.health/join/startups, 2026-07-22): Flex tier $0/month (digital curriculum, knowledge library, member Slack); Select tier $400/month (100+ mentors, assigned executive-in-residence, fundraising strategy support, pitch practices, Chicago coworking/event space). No cash investment through membership and no equity terms advertised. Also operates the Paratus Digital Health Accelerator as part of the BARDA Accelerator Network (third cohort of 13 startups announced May 2026). Membership applications accepted on a rolling basis via the site. | Fee-based | IL | Hybrid | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| mHUB Accelerator (Energy Tech / MedTech / Sustainable Manufacturing tracks)hardtech and advanced manufacturing | $200,000 initial investment for 6.5% equity (cash plus in-kind services; breakdown varies by mHUB page) | 6.5% | Equity for cash | IL | In person | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| Moderne Ventures Passport Programreal estate, insurance, finance, sustainability (multi-vertical, real-estate anchored) | Not publishedFee-based program; fee amount not published. Investment is not part of the program; Moderne's funds may invest separately. Typically accepts 7-9 companies per cohort, 2-3 cohorts per year. | Not publishedFee-based program; fee amount not published. Investment is not part of the program; Moderne's funds may invest separately. Typically accepts 7-9 companies per cohort, 2-3 cohorts per year. | Fee-based | IL | Hybrid | Jul 30, 2026 | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| Northwestern Medicine & Techstars Healthcare Accelerator | $220,000 | 5% minimum (5% common via CEA plus uncapped SAFE) | Equity for cash | IL | In person | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| REACH (US Residential)residential real estate technology | Not publishedInvestment amounts, equity stakes, and fees are not published on nar-reach.com; terms are discussed during selection. 2026 application window ran November 3, 2025 to February 10, 2026, with in-program events May through November 2026. | Not publishedInvestment amounts, equity stakes, and fees are not published on nar-reach.com; terms are discussed during selection. 2026 application window ran November 3, 2025 to February 10, 2026, with in-program events May through November 2026. | Mixed | IL | Hybrid | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
| REACH Commercialcommercial real estate technology | Not publishedInvestment amounts, equity stakes, and fees are not published on nar-reach.com. 2026 applications ran February 16 to March 31, 2026, with kickoff in July 2026 and the program ending November 2026. | Not publishedInvestment amounts, equity stakes, and fees are not published on nar-reach.com. 2026 applications ran February 16 to March 31, 2026, with kickoff in July 2026 and the program ending November 2026. | Mixed | IL | Hybrid | None confirmed | Jul 22, 2026 | Verified |
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