2026 Dates Coming Soon!
About
They called us The Windy City. Not just for the way the lake howls through the streets, but for the way we talked—loud, ambitious, full of big ideas and even bigger bets. To some, it was just hot air.
But wind is a force. It shapes skylines, drives change, turns whispers into movement. And here in Chicago, we know that big ideas don’t just hang in the air—they take root, they rise, they build. It’s the energy that built the first skyscraper, reversed the river, and pulled off a world’s fair that stunned the globe.
This TechChicago Week, we’re carrying that legacy forward with our next big bets.
- Quantum Technology: Quantum technology and advanced microelectronics are the next frontier of computing, and IL stands poised to lead the global charge, positioning the Chicago area as a hub for breakthroughs in quantum computing and next-gen semiconductors.
- Compute-Energy Nexus: Efficiently powering the next generation of computing is essential for transformative economic growth. With an eye on drivers of the future of energy, such as quantum computing, AI, and advanced data processing while investing in clean energy solutions, we are building the next generation of energy-efficient data centers and tech ecosystems.
- Growth for All: The key to our region’s future is connecting all of Chicago to high-wage tech careers, capital, and resources for entrepreneurship. Community engagement, private-public coalitions, and commercial dollars will all play a major role in creating an undeniably robust economy.
These aren’t just ideas; they’re the foundation of what’s next, backed by both the State of Illinois and the City of Chicago as they double down on tech, innovation, and the industries that will define our future. Because when Chicago moves, industries shift, economies grow, and new possibilities take flight.
Welcome to TechChicago Week 2025: Big Bets. The future is here, and the wind is at our backs.
Featured Events
More featured events coming soon!
Mon, July 21, 2025–Tue, July 22, 2025
Convene, Willis Tower & Salt Shed
$250 - $7,500
The Aspen Institute, in partnership with the Chicago Climate Corps (C3), are hosting Aspen Ideas: Climate Chicago, July 21-22, 2025. Aspen Ideas: Climate is the premier solutions-oriented convener, bringing together leaders, innovators, and the public to highlight transformative climate solutions. This event will assemble global, regional, and local policy makers, scientists, business and NGO leaders, energy experts, artists, young leaders, members of the public, and others for dialogues aimed at educating, inspiring, and provoking action to combat climate change and adapt to a changing planet.
Mon, July 21, 2025
Conference Center at 120 South Riverside Plaza
$0-$495
Fusion is accelerating towards the commercialization of power generation and is already generating profits from non-power applications. The Great Lakes region is an emerging hub for clean energy innovation, a key player in building a fusion industry supply chain, and a region that is seeing growing investments in fusion technology. FusionXGreatLakes, organized by FusionX Group in association with 5 Lakes Institute, is designed to educate, inform and connect investors and other potential stakeholders on opportunities in fusion.
Tue, July 22, 2025
Venue SIX10
$149.99 - $299.99
TechChicago Capital Summit powered by P33, brings together Chicagoland founders and funders to increase the flow of capital in our region. The Summit will include track-based programming focused on fundraising in the current state of our venture ecosystem and lots of opportunity for intentional networking.
Featured at this year’s Summit: The Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge
In partnership with The Grainger College of Engineering, this pitch competition highlights top student-led startups from across the Midwest. A must-attend for investors, founders and ecosystem builders looking to connect with emerging tech talent driving innovation in Chicago.
Wed, July 23, 2025–Thu, July 24, 2025
Venue SIX10
TBA
Quantum technology is moving from theory to reality, set to reshape industries, security, and global economies. This international conference—powered by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Intersect Illinois, and P33—will bring together top scientists, business leaders, and policymakers to explore both the opportunities and challenges of the Quantum Revolution. As Chicago cements its place as a global quantum hub, this event is a must-attend for those shaping the future of technology and policy.
Wed, July 23, 2025
TechRise Emerging Tech Pitch Competition: TechChicago Week 2025
Xchange Chicago (at Gary Comer Youth Center)
Free
Five local tech founders will take the stage to pitch their startup for $25,000 in non-dilutive funding. In alignment with this year’s tech week theme “Big Bets”, we’re showcasing emerging tech startups in fields like Quantum, Energy, AI, and Cybersecurity.
Thu, July 24, 2025
TechChicago Week’s Intern Social
111 N. Canal
Free
1871, Discovery Partners Institute, and World Business Chicago bring you this year’s 3rd annual Intern Social – where interns at local tech companies get a chance to network with each other and learn more about Chicago’s tech ecosystem.
View 2025 Event Calendar
Explore 50+ partner events happening across the city!
Become a Sponsor
Host an Event!
Interested in hosting a partner event during the week?
We invite a wide-ranging array of events to join us in celebrating the full spectrum of technology at TCW. This year’s theme, “Big Bets,” spotlights Quantum Technology, the Compute-Energy Nexus, and Growth for All. While these areas take center stage, we welcome all tech-driven events that contribute to the innovation and momentum of the industry.
TCW25 By The Numbers
Unique Website
Visitors
Events
(double from 2024)
Attendees
Media Mentions
Main Events
Speakers
Sponsors
Attendee FAQ
Who should attend TCW?
Anyone can and should attend an event during TCW. We do our best to encourage events that range in audience, topic, and accessibility.
How do I register for events?
The calendar will be live in May 2026, in which you can search for events to attend. You will need to register for each event separately. If you have a question about an event, you will need to reach out to the event host directly. The TCW team is not responsible for anything related to the events during the week. TCW is simply a platform to promote the events taking place, but we do our best to vet the events to ensure the best possible experience for attendees. Subscribe to TCW email updates to stay-in-the-know.
Who hosts TCW?
The TCW platform is run by the non-profit P33: p33chicago.com. Events are hosted by a wide variety of company and organizations across the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois.
Event Host FAQ
How and when can I submit an event that I am hosting for TCW26?
The dates of TCW26 will be provided in the fall/early winter of 2025 so you can start planning your event. The submission form will open up in early 2026 and remain open until 2 weeks before TCW. The calendar will go live to the public in May 2026, so we highly recommend submitting your event by the end of April 2026 to take advantage of the full 3 months of promotion by the TCW team. However, please do not submit your event until all of your event details are secured – which will be required fields in the submission form. Subscribe to TCW email updates to stay-in-the-know.
What happens once I submit my event?
The TCW team will review your event. If all the details are provided and approved, you will be sent an email within 7 business days confirming the approval of your event. If you do not hear from us within that time frame, please reach out to info@gotechchicago.com to ensure your submission went through.
The email will ask you to approve your event details that are live on the calendar to ensure no errors were made. If the event calendar is not yet live to the public, we will include private access to the hidden calendar to approve your event details. The email will also include official TCW marketing materials for you to use.
Why would my event NOT get approved?
- The event does not take place in Illinois
- The event does not have any obvious tie to tech
- The event is not deemed appropriate for the audience of TCW
- Important event details are missing (i.e. registration link)
Does my event need to align with the theme of Big Bets? And what type of event should I host?
- Meetups by affinity group (Black in Tech, Intern meetup, Founders, Women, LGBTQIA+, etc.)
- Cerebral Workshops
- Events that blend Chicago culture and tech (i.e. tech night at sports events, official after parties, intimate dinners, beach meetups)
- Startup Pitch Competitions
- Co-Working Spaces with Tech Talks during lunch or happy hour
- Career Fairs for Early-Stage or Mid-Stage Tech Talent
- Industry specific events
- Product launches or showcases
- Lab tours
Is there a limit on the number of events I can submit?
There is no limit on the number of events an individual or organization can submit. Please complete a new form submission for each event.
Does the TCW team help me with event logistics and/or marketing my event?
- A listing of your event on the official TCW calendar
- Promotion of the calendar in TCW eblasts to 30,000+ subscribers.
- Promotion of the calendar on the TechChicago LinkedIn with 7.5K followers
- An effort to secure local media promoting the TCW calendar
- Official TCW marketing materials provided to event hosts (upon event approval) including a logo to use on your marketing materials and editable templates in Canva for a printed poster and a social media graphic.
- In post-event surveys that we have sent to past TCW event hosts, we consistently receive overwhelmingly positive feedback that they were satisfied with the visibility their event received through the TCW brand.
Do you have any recommendations of venues, caterers, etc. for my event?
NEW to TCW in 2026: There will be a form that event vendors or potential sponsors can fill out that are interested in providing their services to TCW event hosts. This list will be available on this website for potential event hosts to look through and reach out directly if you choose to use one of the vendors. Subscribe to TCW email updates to stay-in-the-know.
Which event platform should I use to host my online event registration?
We do not require event hosts to use any particular event platform for your event registration. However, we encourage you to use Eventnoire, a local, minority-owned event platform. Event partners exclusively using Eventnoire will receive the following benefits: Adjustable ticket fees; 30% revenue share on ticket fees; A feature in Eventnoire’s TCW e-newsletter (200K subscribers); $100 bonus from Eventnoire. To adjust ticket fees, email support@eventnoire.com once your event is live.
Event Vendors FAQ
I have a service that could be valuable to TCW event hosts. (venues, caterers, professional services, sponsorship dollars, etc.) How can I get in front of this group?
NEW to TCW in 2026: Check back here in Fall 2025 – a form will be provided for you to fill out to have your services listed on a “View Only” Google form that event hosts can view and reach out to you directly if they choose. Subscribe to TCW email updates to stay-in-the-know.
TCW24 Sponsors
Past Speakers & Musical Guests
