Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge
The Midwest’s elite student-led startup competition delivering engineering-powered tech innovations to Chicago
Bringing Together Engineering-Powered Startups from the Midwest
The Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge brings together engineering-powered startups from leading Midwestern universities to compete for funding and prizes from a pool of $200,000!
Hosted by the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign—a global engineering education and research leader—the challenge will showcase tech startups from top Midwestern universities as they pitch live to investors, founders and leaders in Chicago’s thriving tech scene.
The challenge will take place at the TechChicago Capital Summit, an event that is part of TechChicago Week.
Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge
July 22, 2025
SIX10, Chicago
610 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Illinois
Why Participate?
- Direct Access to Capital | Pitch directly to top-tier Chicago-area VCs
- Substantial Rewards | Compete for funding and prizes from a pool of $200,000
- 1st Place receives $100,000, 2nd Place receives $50,000, and 3rd Place receives $25,000, with each award in the form of a SAFE agreement with a 10% discount and no valuation cap.
- Incubator Placement | Winner receives placement at a prestigious Chicago-area incubator
- Investor Connections | Network with the Midwest's most active investors
- Media Exposure | Gain visibility across the Chicagoland tech ecosystem
- Expert Feedback | Receive invaluable insights from industry leaders and successful founders
Who Should Apply?
You should enter the Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge if your startup:
- Is tech-driven and engineering-powered. Examples include but are not limited to:
- Hard Tech | Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace, AR/VR, Autonomous Vehicles, Drones, AI, Quantum Computing, Robotics, Smart Sensors
- Clean Tech | Agtech, Batteries, Climate Tech, Energy Infrastructure, Renewable Energy, Recycling, Electric Vehicles, Water
- Medical Tech | Biotech, Diagnostics, Digital Health, Medical Devices, Personalized Medicine, Pharma, Public Health
- Digital Tech | Big Data, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Enterprise Software, Fintech, Media, Sports Tech, Supply Chain
Has a minimum of two students (founders or management team members), with at least one being a graduate student. These students can be either current or recently graduated.
- Current is defined as enrolled between August 16, 2024 to August 15, 2025.
- Recently graduated is defined as graduated after August 16, 2024.
- Has not raised more than $250,000 in equity capital prior to December 31, 2024.
- Has not generated revenue of more than $100,000 in any 12-month period prior to December 31, 2024.
- Is seeking funding or capital (or will be in the next 12 months) and is a potentially viable investment opportunity.
Questions?
Please contact Doug Reed, Regional Entrepreneurship Programs Coordinator, Technology Entrepreneur Center
Thank you to our corporate partners!