Startup accelerators in Illinois
8 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 MATTER. Each listing shows its source and the date we last checked it.
Showing 8 of 8 programs, plus 1 that has ended
| 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' and 'Neither Argonne nor DOE take an equity stake in the startup.' Cohort 2027 applications opened September 15 and close at 5 p.m. CT on October 30, 2026. After application review and virtual semifinalist presentations in January, an invitational pitch event for finalists is held March 10 to 11, 2027 at Argonne; successful applicants are notified in spring 2027 and expected to start at Argonne on October 1, 2027. US citizenship or lawful permanent residency required at time of application. | Non-dilutive | IL | In person | Oct 30, 2026 | Oct 1, 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. The 501vc page states typical investments of $200,000 to $300,000 into pre-seed and 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). Applications are considered on a rolling basis; the fall and spring application deadlines each start an approximately five-month investment cycle. The Fall 2026 deadline was Aug 17, 2026; the spring 2027 deadline is not yet posted. 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 | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| 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 | Oct 1, 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 | Oct 1, 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 to 9 companies per cohort, 2 to 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 to 9 companies per cohort, 2 to 3 cohorts per year. | Fee-based | IL | Hybrid | None confirmed | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
| Northwestern Medicine & Techstars Healthcare Accelerator | $220,000 | 5% minimum (5% common via CEA plus uncapped SAFE) | Equity for cash | IL | In person | Nov 18, 2026 | Oct 1, 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 | Oct 1, 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 | Oct 1, 2026 | Verified |
Programs that have ended
| Check size | Equity | Terms | Format | Next window | Signal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Solutions Lab (FinLab)financial health / inclusive fintech | Not publishedEnded: the Financial Health Network's program page says the Lab concluded in 2022, and its report says the accelerator ran annually from 2014 through 2022. It provided non-dilutive capital with JPMorgan Chase as founding partner and support from Prudential Financial; award amounts were never published. | Not publishedEnded: the Financial Health Network's program page says the Lab concluded in 2022, and its report says the accelerator ran annually from 2014 through 2022. It provided non-dilutive capital with JPMorgan Chase as founding partner and support from Prudential Financial; award amounts were never published. | Non-dilutive | IL | Hybrid | None | Sep 29, 2026 | VerifiedProgram endedThe operator has said this program ended, or its program pages are gone and it has shown no activity for two years or more. We keep the record so its history stays visible. |
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