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Find a Cofounder in Illinois

Illinois is home to over 918,500 aspiring entrepreneurs. Join 10,000+ founders already on CoffeeSpace - including 158 from Illinois and start your founder journey today!

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Entrepreneurship in Illinois

The entrepreneurship environment in Illinois, particularly in the city of Chicago, is vibrant and dynamic, characterized by a strong culture of innovation and creativity. The state boasts a diverse range of startups in sectors like technology, healthcare, and finance, thanks to a large talent pool from top educational institutions such as the University of Illinois and Northwestern University. Furthermore, Illinois has a sophisticated innovation ecosystem with several tech parks, incubators, and accelerators that offer startups the necessary resources and support to grow and succeed. Access to funding is another critical factor that makes Illinois an attractive destination for entrepreneurs. The state has a robust network of venture capitalists, angel investors, and private equity firms that provide essential financial support to startups. In 2019, Illinois startups raised over $2.5 billion in funding. The state government also offers various funding programs and incentives to encourage entrepreneurship. Thus, the combination of an innovative culture, access to funding, and a supportive startup ecosystem makes Illinois a thriving hub for entrepreneurship.

Illinois founders in numbers

Illinois boasts a dynamic and robust entrepreneurship environment, with a staggering total of 918,500 entrepreneurs. Among these, CoffeeSpace proudly serves 158 active users from the region, offering a platform to connect and collaborate. The state's top three industries are AI, Generative Tech/AI, and SaaS, reflecting a forward-thinking, tech-oriented business landscape. Many of our entrepreneurs have built successful careers at leading companies such as EY, Accenture, and Groupon before embarking on their entrepreneurial journey. Additionally, a significant number of our users hail from prestigious educational institutions like the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, and DePaul University, further enriching our diverse and innovative community. Join us at CoffeeSpace, where we are passionate about fostering connections and supporting the growth of Illinois' entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Age

The median age of CoffeeSpace founders in Illinois is 31, while the average is 32.13.

Type of founder

A majority (56%) of CoffeeSpace founders in Illinois are non-technical (Product, S/M, Financial, Operations), while (44%) are technical (Engineering, AI/ML).

Idea Stage

A majority (79%) of CoffeeSpace founders in Illinois, are exploring startup ideas, while 21% are committed to finding a cofounder.

Top industry interests

Discover the industries that CoffeeSpace founders in Illinois are most passionate about.

Top schools they went to

Explore the alma maters of CoffeeSpace founders based in Illinois.

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Top companies they worked at

Discover the companies that CoffeeSpace founders in Illinois have previously worked for.

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