If you were in the Chicago tech hub before the 2010s, you might have asked, “Where are all the businesswomen?” Today, these entrepreneurs and founders are celebrated for the innovation and growth they have brought to the city.
In a victory for the tech hub’s progress, Startup Genome’s research named Chicago the top global ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. The city boasts a remarkable 25% women-founded startups—nearly double the global average of 14.1%.
Unlike the cutthroat competition of other tech hubs, Chicago’s collaborative spirit creates a welcoming environment for underrepresented groups. This success is further fueled by strong corporate partnerships and innovation labs, which provide critical support for early-stage startups and reduce barriers to entry.
Additionally, the diverse economy—spanning fintech, health tech, food tech, logistics and manufacturing—offers women founders opportunities to innovate across industries and tap into niche markets.
In the Windy City, a woman with a dream and drive has a fighting chance to carve her path and claim her legacy.
Chicago Hearts Women Founders
Chicago’s tech scene has become a launchpad for successful women-led startups. From founders to venture capital, women have left their mark on the city’s tech hub, with startups and funds spanning industries like fintech, edtech and caregiving.
But this thriving, inclusive ecosystem didn’t happen overnight—it was built on decades of advocacy, innovation and, most importantly, a strong sense of community.
With so much to offer, Chicago has seen a number of successful initiatives and organizations lift women into the spotlight.
In 2016, The Mom Project unveiled its platform to support working mothers. Founded by CEO Allison Robinson, it has become a major success story, partnering with Fortune 500 companies to create flexible work opportunities for those who suddenly have two full-time jobs.
As for acquisitions, Simple Mills is a story for the VC Chicago ages. Founded by Katlin Smith as “better-for-you” baking mixes, it became a nationally recognized brand and was sold in February of 2025 for $795 million in cash to Flowers Foods. Even more impressive, Kristi Ross’s tastytrade $1 billion acquisition, cementing its place as one of Chicago’s most successful fintech exits.
A City Uplifting Women Founders
Chicago has worked to maintain a legacy of industrial ingenuity and support for women in business, which includes monetarily supporting startups through specific grants and tax incentives.
The Chicago Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), founded in 1986 as the first federally funded women’s business center in the U.S., has awarded $14 million to women- and minority-owned businesses since 2020 through initiatives like the Rise Grant Program. Additionally, ChicagoNEXT and World Business Chicago champion innovation through tax incentives and public-private partnerships.
The state has also made it more appealing for women to consider Chicago as a launchpad.
In 1988, Illinois passed the Women’s Business Ownership Act, a landmark law that expanded access to loans and training programs. Then in 2012, the state introduced the Angel Investment Tax Credit, offering a 25% tax break to early-stage investors, which encouraged funding for women-led startups (Illinois DCEO).
Corporate Initiatives & Access to Funding
Corporate programs and partnerships have played a significant role in supporting this diverse ecosystem as well.
Working alongside city-wide efforts, Chicago-based technology incubators like 1871 provide critical support to inclusion. Launched in 2012, the tech incubator hosts programs like WiSTEM, designed to cultivate opportunities for women in technology. 1871 has also partnered with the private sector to create initiatives like the Women Entrepreneurs Cohort with JPMorgan Chase, which committed to investing $40 million in minority entrepreneurs’ growth in 2017.
Additionally, organizations like Built In Chicago and Chicago Innovation provide women founders the chance to access mentorship, funding and networking opportunities. Women-focused events like Chicago Startup Week, Techweek Chicago, and 1871’s Demo Days provide visibility and insights.
Together, these achievements reflect a city balancing financial ambition with intentional support for underrepresented voices.
Small Steps
In this tech hub, collaboration is king. It took various grassroots communities to create the backbone for further strengthening this foundation.
Beginning in 2003 as an informal network of women, Women Tech Founders (WTF) graduated a decade later into a grassroots organization that connects women-led startups, investors and startup leaders, seeking to address gender gaps in the field.
Funds like SoGal Venture and The Jump Fund prioritize investments in women-led businesses, providing much-needed capital at the pre-seed stage. And organizations like Chicago Women in Tech (ChiWiT) and Females in Food offer tailored advice to challenges businesswomen face—supporting founders at every stage.
2025: Fork in the Road for Women Founders
Despite progress, Chicago still has a number of issues to address.
Women-led ventures had a tough time pulling in new funding in 2024, especially with the backlash surrounding DEI may create more challenges for women to gain VC access in 2025, according to a new report from PitchBook.
After three straight years of consistent output — $634 million invested across 125 deals in 2021, $700 million invested across 131 deals in 2022 and $653 million invested across 104 deals in 2023.
Chicago still grapples with retaining women in tech—particularly women of color—amid workplace bias, burnout and stalled advancement. True equity demands inclusive cultures, allyship and intersectional support.
But the enemy is not just from within these days.
Nationally, hostility toward DEI and political threats to funding have soured investor confidence, as a PitchBook report notes. But a recent survey of corporate leaders by the employment law firm Littler gives a bit of hope to improving representation.
Of the C-suite leaders questioned, it found that 49% are not considering new or further rollbacks of DEI programs after the Trump administration’s executive orders. Pre-inauguration, the majority of organizations (76%) maintained or even increased their DEI commitments and activity levels over the past year.
Will Winds Stay Strong for Women Founders?
As Chicago invests in its global reputation, the future looks bright—but to maintain momentum, it must deepen its commitment to diversity.
The tech hub’s approach to overcoming gender inequality in tech is a collaborative effort. The tech hub has made it clear that public, private and academia are all united in their support of DEI. Across the city, individuals, organizations and communities are addressing challenges unique to women in tech, sparking productive dialogues and actionable solutions.
From internal policies to external programs, a cultural shift is underway in Chicago’s tech community, with a push toward a more inclusive and productive industry.
In rough seas, Chicago looks more and more like a lifeboat for women who want to reimagine what the tech world can achieve.
About the Author: Tess Danielson is a journalist and writer focusing on the intersection of technology and society.
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