Chicago has a great startup scene that is doing very well. It is helping new companies come up with ideas, especially companies that do work on homes and buildings. There are people who fix homes and people who make homes smart with technology. The city has programs that help these companies get started. They give them a place to work and people to talk to who know what they are doing. These programs also help them meet people in the business and get their products to people who might want to buy them. The city programs are very helpful for people who want to start a business that does work on homes. The Chicago startup scene is really good at helping people turn their ideas into companies, especially when it comes to home services and trade industries. So you are a tradesperson or a contractor, or maybe someone who is into home tech innovations, or you have a service-based startup. Finding the place to help you get started is really important. This place is called an incubator. It can really help your business grow fast. It can help you establish a good foundation in Chicago. Chicago is a competitive place to do business.

Website: www.1871.com

Address: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: (312) 924-0073

Email: info@1871.com

Specialization: Tech-driven home services, proper tech, for trades, smart home startups

Why It Is Ideal for Home and Trade Startups: The fact that 1871 has a focus on proper tech and it has connections to real estate investors makes 1871 perfect for startups that are trying to modernize traditional trades, like home and trade startups.

2. m HUB – Product Development & Hard tech Incubator

Website: www.mhubchicago.com

Address: 965 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

Phone: (312) 600-3552

Email: hello@mhubchicago.com

Specialization: Physical product development, hardware, home innovation, building materials, tools

Why It's Ideal for Home & Trade Startups: Provides prototyping labs, engineering support, and manufacturing connections for inventors creating new tools or home products.

3. The Hatchery – Food & Home Goods Focus

Website: www.thehatcherychicago.org

Address: 1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: (773) 523-6220

Email: info@thehatcherychicago.org

Specialization: Home goods, kitchen products, sustainable home items, artisanal trades

Why It's Ideal for Home & Trade Startups: Perfect for startups creating physical home products, with commercial kitchens and packaging facilities available.

4. UI Labs / Discovery Partners Institute – Advanced Tech & Construction

Website: www.dpi.uillinois.edu

Address: 200 S Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (312) 600-7000

Email: contact@dpi.uillinois.edu

Specialization: Construction tech, sustainable building, smart infrastructure, building automation

This thing is really good for people who are just starting out at home or with a business. It helps startups work with people in the building design, engineering, and construction businesses to try out new ideas.

5. Catapult Chicago – B2B & Services Accelerator

Website: www.catapultchicago.com

Address: 321 N Clark St #700, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: (312) 828-1495

Email: apply@catapultchicago.com

Specialization: Service-based businesses, contractor software, trade business management solutions

This is ideal for home and trade startups because it is about making businesses bigger. It is great for startups that work with contractors, remodelers, and trade professionals. The business models are good for companies that want to grow and sell to businesses. Home and trade startups like this because it helps them make money by working with contractors, remodelers, and trade professionals.

6. Instinct – Real Estate & Proper tech Program

Website: www.instinct.vc

Address: 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 267-4520

Email: contact@instinct.vc

Specialization: Real estate technology, property management tools, home service platforms

Why It's Ideal for Home & Trade Startups: Specifically designed for startups at the intersection of real estate and home services.

7. Chicago: Blend—Diversity-Focused Incubator

Website: www.chicagoblend.org

Address: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654

Phone: (872) 356-1017

Email: hello@chicagoblend.org

Specialization: Inclusive entrepreneurship, minority-owned trade businesses, community-focused services

This is ideal for home and trade startups because it is really good for people who start their businesses in areas like contracting and home services. These people want to be around others who understand what they are going through. They want support from their community. The founders of these startups are from all sorts of backgrounds, and that is what makes this so great for them. Home and trade startups need a place where they can get help and advice from people who know what they are doing. That is exactly what they get here.

8. Clean Energy Trust – Sustainable Home Solutions

Website: www.cleanenergytrust.org

Address: 20 N #1200, Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: (312) 267-7222

Email: info@cleanenergytrust.org

Specialization: Energy efficiency, green building tech, sustainable home products, solar installation services

Why It's Ideal for Home & Trade Startups: Perfect for startups focused on eco-friendly home improvements and green trade services.

9. The Garage at Northwestern – University-Led Innovation

Website: www.thegarage.northwestern.edu

Address: 2311 Campus Evanston, IL 60208

Phone: (847) 467-3418

Email: thegarage@northwestern.edu

Specialization: University spin-offs, research commercialization, home tech innovation

Why It's Ideal for Home & Trade Startups: Access to engineering talent and research for high-tech home solutions and advanced trade tools.

10. Chicago Innovation Incubator – Small Business Development

Website: www.chicagoinnovation.com

Address: 145 S Water Market, Chicago, IL 60608

Phone: (312) 988-9630

Email: incubator@chicagoinnovation.com

Specialization: Main street businesses, local service startups, neighborhood trade services

This is great for people who are starting a business from home or a small trade business. It helps these local home service businesses get bigger with support that really works for them. The focus is on helping these home service businesses with things that will really help them develop and grow their business.

FAQs

Q1: What do Chicago incubators typically provide?

Workspace, mentorship, funding access, networking, and industry-specific programming.

Q2: How long do incubator programs usually last?

Most programs run 3–12 months with ongoing alumni support.

Q3: Are these incubators only for tech startups?

No—many support service, trade, product, and brick-and-mortar home service businesses.

Menu

Top 10 Startup Incubators in Chicago Home & Trade Services

Comments