Top Trending Startups in Chicago

In January, several emerging startups have taken off in the startup space in Chicago. Leading the charge is Telnyx, the top trending topic, with a search volume of 27.1K and an impressive +283% growth rate.

TOP COMPANIES - UPDATED JAN 2026
41 Results

1. Telnyx

Exploding Growth

Global connectivity platform and partner offering carrier-grade services on a private, cloud-agnostic IP network. It provides solutions such as Voice, Messaging, Numbering, Video, Wireless, Fax, and Security, accessible…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2009
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+283%
2 years Growth
27.1K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologytelecommunicationproductivity
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
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2. Z Modular

Exploding Growth

A company specializing in modular buildings and services, utilizing a self-bracing structural system. This system allows for more factory completion compared to other modular construction systems, providing a…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2016
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+279%
2 years Growth
3.6K/mo
Search Volume
businessindustryconstructionreal-estatemanufacturing
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

3. Certiverse

Regular Growth

​Certiverse is an online platform that streamlines the development and delivery of certification exams. By incorporating AI and machine learning, it enables organizations to create and launch high-quality exams in weeks…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Apr 2019
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+6900%
2 years Growth
0-100/mo
Search Volume
technologyeducationstartup
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

4. Secret crypto

Exploding Growth

Blockchain protocol that focuses on privacy-preserving smart contracts. It enables decentralized applications (dApps) to perform encrypted computations, ensuring that data remains confidential by encrypting inputs at…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2017
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+633%
2 years Growth
260/mo
Search Volume
technologyfinanceblockchaincryptoinvesting
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

5. Transistor.fm

Regular Growth

Transistor.fm is a podcast hosting and analytics platform founded in 2017, co-founded by Jon Buda and Justin Jackson. It offers features such as unlimited podcast hosting, advanced analytics, and a built-in podcast…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jul 2017
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+1100%
2 years Growth
2.9K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyentertainmentmediastreaming
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

6. New era adr

Regular Growth

New Era ADR is a platform that offers arbitration and mediation services to resolve disputes efficiently and with high quality. It is certified secure and SOC2 compliant, ensuring data protection, and aims to provide…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2021
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+1100%
2 years Growth
320/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologylegalproductivity
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

7. Stretch island

Exploding Growth

Stretch Island is a small island with a land area of 1.2179 square kilometers (300.95 acres) located in the United States. It has a population of 162 people as of the 2010 census, making it a sparsely populated area.…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 1976
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+132%
2 years Growth
2.9K/mo
Search Volume
businessfood-beveragefoodretailcpg
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

8. Opentelemetry

Exploding Growth

Open-source project that provides a set of APIs, libraries, agents, and instrumentation to enable observability in software applications. It combines the functionalities of OpenTracing and OpenCensus, offering a unified…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2019
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+167%
2 years Growth
90.5K/mo
Search Volume
technologysoftwareaiprogramming
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

9. ShipBob

Exploding Growth

Global omnifulfillment platform that supports thousands of ecommerce brands by providing logistics and fulfillment services. ShipBob operates a network of over 50 fulfillment centers across multiple countries, offering…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2014
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+143%
2 years Growth
27.1K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyecommerceretailproductivitysupply-chain
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
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10. Bridge money

Exploding Growth

Rewards app that offers users cash back on their rent payments, regardless of their location or payment method. Bridge differentiates itself by providing a unique incentive for renters, making it easier for them to save…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2019
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+171%
2 years Growth
880/mo
Search Volume
technologyfinancepersonal-financebanking
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

11. Fillout

Exploding Growth

Tool for creating powerful forms, surveys, and quizzes, enabling users to design interactive content. Fillout allows for seamless integration and storage of responses directly in the desired location, differentiating…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Feb 2022
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+132%
2 years Growth
1.05K/mo
Search Volume
technologyaibusinessmarketing
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

12. Charcharms

Regular Growth

Brand specializing in water bottle accessories, offering products like charms, pouches, and straws to personalize and enhance the functionality of water bottles. Charcharms differentiates itself by providing a unique…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2021
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+245%
2 years Growth
880/mo
Search Volume
lifestyleecommerceretail
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

13. Threekit

Exploding Growth

Visual commerce platform that assists brands and manufacturers in creating visual configurators for their products. Threekit enables companies to generate thousands of photorealistic, interactive 3D, and augmented…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2005
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+426%
2 years Growth
2.4K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologysoftwareecommerceretailvr-arproductivity
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

14. Logiwa

Exploding Growth

Software company based in Chicago, Illinois, specializing in cloud-based warehouse management systems (WMS) and direct-to-consumer (DTC) fulfillment solutions. The platform aids 3PLs, brands, and manufacturers in…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Sep 2017
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+115%
2 years Growth
2.4K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyindustrysoftwareecommercesupply-chainproductivityretail
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

15. Petite Plume

Exploding Growth

This brand focuses on creating sleepwear that combines style and comfort, offering a variety of pajama sets for all ages. Petite Plume distinguishes itself with its classic designs and high-quality materials, providing…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2015
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+424%
2 years Growth
33.1K/mo
Search Volume
clothingfashion
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

16. Sprout living

Exploding Growth

A company that provides pure and potent plant-based protein powders and functional foods. Their products are made from raw, vegan, organic, and kosher superfoods sourced globally, differentiating them by their…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2010
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+37%
2 years Growth
2.4K/mo
Search Volume
nutritionsupplementsfitnessfoodfood-beverage
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

17. Blockware mining

Regular Growth

A diversified Bitcoin mining infrastructure and colocation service provider headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company offers competitive hardware and hosting packages, enabling clients to start mining with the…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2020
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+2200%
2 years Growth
70/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyfinanceblockchaincrypto
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

18. Project44

Exploding Growth

Chicago-based software company offering an end-to-end visibility platform for supply chains. Project44 enhances supply chain predictability, resiliency, and sustainability by tracking over 1 billion shipments annually…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2014
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+84%
2 years Growth
8.1K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyindustrysupply-chainmanufacturingautomotive
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

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19. Nerdio

Exploding Growth

Software solution provider offering cloud-based IT solutions for managing and deploying virtual desktops in Microsoft Azure. Nerdio differentiates itself by simplifying the deployment and management of virtual desktop…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 1998
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+68%
2 years Growth
9.9K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyproductivityautomationtelecommunication
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

20. DUPR

Exploding Growth

Rating system that provides clubs and organizations with universal, real-time ratings for pickleball players. The system is based solely on players' results, ensuring objectivity and accuracy in player rankings across…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Mar 2021
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+93%
2 years Growth
49.5K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyentertainmentsports-outdoors
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

21. Imanage

Exploding Growth

Document and email management software designed to help organizations manage their information more efficiently. It offers features such as document and email management, secure collaboration, and information…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 1995
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+67%
2 years Growth
74K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyproductivitycybersecurityworkplace
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

22. ActiveCampaign

Exploding Growth

Cloud-based platform offering email marketing, marketing automation, sales automation, CRM integration, customer experience automation, analytics, and reporting. It helps businesses automate marketing and sales…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2003
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+45%
2 years Growth
110K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologysoftwareproductivitymarketingautomation
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

23. Fourkites

Exploding Growth

A company that provides real-time visibility solutions for the entire supply chain. It helps organizations transform their end-to-end supply chain by digitizing it, offering real-time tracking and insights, which…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2014
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+48%
2 years Growth
14.8K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologysoftwaresupply-chainaiproductivity
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

24. fibroblast

Exploding Growth

Cells that are essential in the formation of connective tissue in the body. They play a crucial role in wound healing by producing the extracellular matrix and collagen, which provide structural support to tissues.…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2010
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+62%
2 years Growth
74K/mo
Search Volume
beautyhealthscienceskincarehealthcarepharma
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial

25. OppFi

Exploding Growth

Tech-enabled, mission-driven specialty finance platform that broadens the reach of community banks to extend credit access to everyday Americans. OppFi differentiates itself by leveraging technology to provide…

Startup Details
Chicago
Location
Jan 2009
Founded Date
Data & Forecast
+5%
2 years Growth
2.9K/mo
Search Volume
businesstechnologyfinancebankinginvesting
Growth
Peaked
Regular
Exploding
Volatility
High
Medium
Low
Speed
Slow
Medium
Exponential
Seasonality
High
Medium
Low
Members Only
Start 7-Day Free Trial
Showing 1-25 of 41 Results

About Startups in Chicago

Interest in Chicago startups continues to surge this January. Leading the charge is Telnyx, founded in Jan 2009, with 27.1K monthly searches and an impressive +283% growth. Runner-up Z Modular, launched in Jan 2016, also shows strong engagement with 3.6K people searching for it each month. Certiverse rounds out the top three. Established in Apr 2019, they’ve built steady momentum, seeing 0-100 monthly searches and +6900% growth. Together, these rising brands highlight how Chicago’s startups are becoming increasingly attractive to both consumers and investors.

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