Who Funds Machine Learning Startups in Chicago?

Real, verified funding sources for machine learning founders in Chicago: VC funds, accelerators, angel networks, and active grant programs — sourced from SEC filings and Grants.gov, not estimates.

No funds headquartered in Chicago matched "Machine Learning" by name — the funds below are shown nationwide instead.

Machine Learning Funding Snapshot — Chicago (as of August 2026)

  • 1
    0 VC funds (nationwide)with "Machine Learning" in their name — none headquartered in Chicago in our data
  • 2
    6 acceleratorsopen to machine learning founders in Chicago (including globally-available programs)
  • 3
    6 angel networksbased in Chicago
  • 4
    59 open grantsin the Technology category, refreshed nightly from Grants.gov

Machine Learning VC Funds (Nationwide)

No funds in our database have "Machine Learning" in their name. Browse the full VC directory instead.

Machine Learning Accelerators Open to Chicago

6 programs

Techstars Chicago

Chicago, IL

Techstars Chicago

$120K
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

TechNexus Venture Collaborative

Chicago, IL

TechNexus Venture Collaborative

Varies
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

1871

Chicago, IL

1871

Varies
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

Polsky Center (UChicago)

Chicago, IL

Polsky Center (UChicago)

Varies
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

Northwestern Jumpstart Pre-Accelerator

Evanston, IL

Northwestern Jumpstart Pre-Accelerator

Varies
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

TechRise (P33 / Verizon / 1871)

Chicago, IL

TechRise (P33 / Verizon / 1871)

Varies
Deadline: Rolling / no fixed deadline
Learn More →

Angel Investor Networks in Chicago

6 networks

Hyde Park Angels

👥 210 members💰 $25K - $500K check range

📍 Chicago, IL

TechnologyHealthcareConsumerFintechSaaS

Chicago Angels

👥 200 members💰 $15K - $200K check range

📍 Chicago, IL

TechnologyHealthcareFinancial ServicesConsumer

Kellogg Angels

👥 100 members💰 $25K - $200K check range

📍 Evanston, IL

TechnologyHealthcareConsumerFintechSaaS

Keiretsu Forum Midwest

👥 80 members💰 $25K - $500K check range

📍 Chicago, IL

TechnologyHealthcareConsumerFintechSaaS

Chicago Ventures

👥 50 members💰 $100K - $2M check range

📍 Chicago, IL

TechnologySaaSConsumerMarketplace

Illinois Ventures Angels

👥 50 members💰 $25K - $200K check range

📍 Champaign, IL

TechnologyDeep TechLife SciencesAgriculture Tech

Grants in the Technology Category

Machine Learning falls under the broader "Technology" category in federal grant data. These are federal programs open to eligible founders nationwide (including Chicago) — live from Grants.gov, refreshed nightly.

Decentralized Artificial Intelligence through Controlled Emergence (DICE)

DARPA - Information Processing Technologies Office

Deadline: August 25, 2026Apply →
Deadline: August 28, 2026Apply →
Deadline: August 28, 2026Apply →

ROSES 2025: A.10 INNOVATE

NASA Headquarters

Deadline: August 31, 2026Apply →

?Machine Learning Funding FAQs — Chicago

Are there machine learning VCs headquartered in Chicago?

We don't have any funds headquartered in Chicago whose name references machine learning. Below are machine learning-related funds from across the country instead — many invest outside their home state.

What accelerators in Chicago support machine learning startups?

6 accelerator programs open to Chicago-based machine learning founders are in our database, including programs based in Chicago and globally-available programs.

Are there angel investor networks in Chicago?

Yes — 6 angel investor networks based in Chicago are in our database, ranked by member count with machine learning-relevant groups surfaced first where our sector data supports it.

What grants are available for machine learning founders?

59 currently open federal grant programs are tagged under the Technology category, which is where machine learning falls in our grant classification. These are federal programs open to eligible founders nationwide (including Chicago), pulled live from Grants.gov and refreshed nightly.

Your Machine Learning Funding Action Plan

1

Research & Prepare

  • Review the 0 machine learning-matched funds above and their filing history
  • Check each fund's website for current investment criteria before reaching out
  • Prepare a pitch deck and financial projections tailored to your stage
2

Apply & Connect

  • Apply to the 6 accelerator programs listed above
  • Reach out to the 6 angel networks in Chicago
  • Check eligibility for the 6 open grant programs above
3

Follow Up

  • Track deadlines for any application-based programs above
  • Look for warm introductions through your existing network before cold outreach
  • Revisit this page periodically — fund and grant data refreshes nightly