Top 28 Accelerators and Incubators in Illinois (2026)
Illinois offers a strong environment for new companies looking for support and funding. The state is home to a variety of programs that help early-stage businesses grow. For example, the Web3 focused Alliance DAO has made over 100 investments. Similarly, Moderne Ventures, which focuses on real estate and finance, has seen nearly 30 exits from its portfolio.
Below is our list of the best 28 accelerators and incubators in Illinois.
Failory's Top 10 Picks
Specializing in technology for the real estate, finance, and insurance sectors, Moderne Ventures backs companies from the early to growth stages. Its industry immersion program provides founders with direct access to a network of over 700 executives and corporations to help drive customer growth.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Constance Freedman |
| Nº of Investments | 105 |
| Nº of Exits | 29 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 24 |
2. Healthbox
Healthbox operates as a strategic advisory firm, partnering with organizations in the healthcare and digital health space to develop their core strategies and programs. Through its distinctive non-dilutive studio model, it provides expert guidance without taking equity, allowing founders to scale while retaining full ownership.
| Year Founded | 2010 |
| Founders | Nina Nashif |
| Investment Amount | Non-dilutive Studios (no capital or equity) |
| Equity Taken | 0% |
| Nº of Investments | 97 |
| Nº of Exits | 16 |
| Program Type | On-Site |
Financial Solutions Lab operates as a non-profit accelerator, backing fintech startups that are building tools to improve the financial well-being of underserved communities. Through its challenge-based programs, it provides capital and strategic guidance to help companies like Digit and Propel scale solutions for everyday financial challenges.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Jennifer Tescher |
| Nº of Investments | 52 |
| Nº of Exits | 13 |
| Program Type | Online |
| Duration (Weeks) | 51 |
Financial Health Network unites business leaders with a shared mission to improve the financial well-being of their customers. Through its Financial Solutions Lab, the organization supports and scales innovative fintech startups focused on consumer savings, borrowing, and planning.
| Year Founded | 2004 |
| Founders | Jennifer Tescher |
| Nº of Investments | 19 |
| Nº of Exits | 10 |
| Program Type | Online |
| Duration (Weeks) | 20 |
5. Alliance DAO
Alliance DAO champions the next generation of Web3 and blockchain startups through its accelerator program and founder community. They equip early-stage teams with the critical network and resources needed to build and scale in the decentralized web.
| Year Founded | 2020 |
| Founders | Imran Khan, Qiao Wang, Jacob Franek |
| Nº of Investments | 109 |
| Nº of Exits | 8 |
6. REACH
Focused on real estate technology, REACH accelerates startups by providing education, mentorship, and crucial market access. Its unique strength lies in its connection to the National Association of REALTORS®, giving portfolio companies a significant advantage in the industry.
| Year Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Suzanne Raffa, Bob Goldberg, Constance Freedman, Dale Stinton |
| Nº of Investments | 20 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
| Duration (Weeks) | 30 |
Specializing in early-stage software and IT companies, Lofty Ventures provides the necessary capital for disruptive startups to get off the ground. They partner with passionate founders to help build and scale their innovative organizations.
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Christopher Deutsch |
| Nº of Investments | 22 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
Elmspring Accelerator champions seed-stage tech startups aiming to innovate within the real estate industry. They provide founders with crucial resources and mentorship to build and scale their ventures across commercial and residential property markets.
| Year Founded | 2013 |
| Founders | Tom Bretz, Colleen O'Toole, Adam Freeman |
| Nº of Investments | 8 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
INCISENT Labs builds disruptive companies from the ground up, focusing on transforming traditional industries like retail, automotive, and software. As an innovation platform, they provide the foundational resources and strategic support necessary to create new, high-impact ventures.
| Year Founded | 2009 |
| Founders | Pat Ryan |
| Nº of Investments | 4 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
EMERGE CoLab brings together startups, enterprises, and public sector partners to develop technology for public safety and productivity. This collaborative ecosystem is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of solutions in robotics, smart cities, and wearables.
| Year Founded | 2015 |
| Founders | Fred Hoch |
| Nº of Investments | 11 |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
18 Additional Illinois Accelerators and Incubators Worth Applying To
Our top picks are a great place to start, but they're just one part of the story. The other programs in the area have collectively backed more than 150 companies.
Each one offers something different for founders looking for support. Here’s a look at the other accelerators and incubators helping build businesses in Illinois.
| Accelerator/Incubator | Year Founded | Nº Investments | Nº Exits |
|---|---|---|---|
 MATTER | 2014 | 8 | 1 |
 Relish Works | 2017 | 17 | 1 |
 Excelerate Labs | 2010 | 3 | 1 |
 New Mobility World | 2016 | 1 | 1 |
 The Bunker | 2014 | 1 | 1 |
 mHUB | 2017 | 57 | — |
 IncubEx | 2016 | — | — |
 Paragon Biosciences | 2010 | 5 | — |
 Gate Labs | 2021 | 38 | — |
 Incubator | 2016 | — | — |
 Kingologic LLC | 2017 | — | — |
 Mazarine Ventures | 2018 | 14 | — |
 1871 | 2012 | 1 | — |
 Moderne Passport | 2015 | 6 | — |
 OhioXcelerate | — | 1 | — |
 Code Ventures | 2016 | 5 | — |
 511 Capital | 2012 | — | — |
 Insight Accelerator Labs | 2012 | — | — |
