So, You Want To Start A Business?

In a climate shaped by layoffs, career pivots, and rapid technological change, more people are asking the same question:

“What can I build for myself?”

This event brings together founders, investors, creatives, and operators for an honest, grounded conversation about entrepreneurship, AI-era opportunity, and building with limited resources.

This is not a startup fantasy panel.

It is a real-world conversation about turning skills into income, ideas into businesses, and uncertainty into momentum — especially for those building without massive funding, insider access, or large teams.

• Turning career pivots into business opportunities
• What actually makes an idea viable
• How founders are using AI + lean tools to launch faster
• Starting with limited capital, clarity, or time
• Identity, resilience, and access in entrepreneurship
• What it really takes to build something sustainable

✨ Actionable founder insights
✨ Investor + operator perspectives
✨ High-impact networking
✨ Real conversations (not surface-level startup talk)
✨ Complimentary drinks (21+)

This is a limited-capacity TechChicago Week event experience. RSVP does not guarantee entry once capacity is reached.

All ticket sales are final. Due to limited capacity and the curated nature of this TechChicago Week event experience, we are unable to offer refunds. Tickets may be transferred to another guest with at least 24 hours’ notice to the host.

By registering, you agree to these terms.

Secure your spot early.