StartOut Demo Day

Tuesday, July 21st | Chicago

Demo Day Chicago

Join StartOut, in partnership with World Business Chicago, TechRise, Norton Rose Fulbright, and Innovare, for an evening celebrating innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in Chicago’s startup ecosystem during TechChicago Week 2026.

This special event will showcase a curated group of promising early-stage founders as they pitch their ventures to a panel of judges, followed by networking with investors, founders, operators, and ecosystem leaders from across the Midwest and beyond. The event will feature a spotlight on LGBTQ+ founders and the investors, partners, and organizations helping build a more inclusive innovation economy.

Whether you’re an investor seeking your next opportunity, a founder looking to expand your network, or a community leader passionate about entrepreneurship, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with some of the region’s most exciting startups and changemakers.

Demo Day will take place at Norton Rose Fulbright | 1045 W Fulton St 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60607

Thank You to Our Event Partners & Sponsors

Meet Our Pitching Companies

Plesio Health

Plesio Health is a platform that combines SaaS plug-in clinical solutions with a telehealth vertical focused on holistic care and plant medicine. Our software leverages AI with real-time clinician vetting.

Okkanti

For the doulas and other experts who prevent half of all pregnancy complications, Okkanti is the operating system and collaboration platform that saves them time and money so that they can serve their communities.

Daivurjnt Inc.

Creating solutions for individuals on the autism spectrum to pave the way to a more equitable world.

Ecoshell

Ecoshell is a sustainability solutions provider helping companies and brands easily and affordably reach their sustainability goals and plastic-reduction mandates.

Symbio

Symbio is building the infrastructure layer for the circular food economy. Our on-site biorefineries use fungi to transform food processing and agricultural waste into sustainable food-grade commodity ingredients and additives.

Silly Pickles

Silly Pickles is where rec sports meet the hangout. You’ll meet a bunch of new people, rotate courts and teammates each week, and walk away with new BFFLs (or maybe a sneaky crush).

Meet Our Judges

Prizes & Awards

1st Place $15,000
2nd Place $6,000
3rd Place $4,000

Watch Previous Demo Day Events

Join StartOut

Since 2009, StartOut has built a community of 25,000 members. Every year, we provide support to over 700 individual founders. We connect them to expertise, peers, community, and capital. This powerful combination of financial support, skills development, and community contributes to helping fuel innovation, wealth generation and equal access to economic opportunity. Join our growing community today.