Top 10 Tech Startups Hiring Junior Developers in Chicago, IL in 2026

Table of Contents

• Building Your Career in Chicago Startups
• Nextpoint
• Hologram
• Moov
• Draftbit
• Clearcover
• ResolveGrid
• Hireology
• Aeropay
• Prenosis
• Valkyrie Trading
• Finding and Evaluating Your Startup Opportunity
• Frequently Asked Questions

Nextpoint

Nestled in River North, Nextpoint operates as a collaborative builder in the legal tech space, managing massive datasets for law firms and corporations. For a junior developer, it’s an environment that offers immediate, hands-on exposure to complex big data and cloud infrastructure problems within a highly collaborative, hybrid setting.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: The company creates clear entry points for new talent, frequently listing roles like "Associate Software Engineer" and "Business Operations Associate." These positions serve as a direct on-ramp into their technical ecosystem, valuing curiosity and teamwork. It's a place where you can start with operational support and have a visible runway to transition into core engineering work.

You’ll be building with a stack centered on Python and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, tackling the scalability challenges that come with legal data. In Chicago's competitive 2026 job market, Nextpoint maintains a consistent presence, signaling steady hiring of new talent and providing a stable yet dynamic neighborhood for your first dev role.

To explore these opportunities, Built In Chicago's entry-level software job board is a primary resource where Nextpoint actively posts. As one of the startups recognized for being bootcamp-friendly and offering "fast-responsibility," it’s a building site where you can start laying bricks on meaningful projects from day one.

Hologram

As a pioneer in the Internet of Things (IoT), Hologram provides a global cellular platform that connects everything from smart meters to medical devices. This startup sits at the exciting intersection of hardware, software, and data, offering junior developers a rare masterclass in building scalable, connected systems.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: Working here means touching the entire technology stack of connectivity. You could be working on low-level network protocols one day and high-level data dashboards the next. For a developer fascinated by how physical devices communicate with the cloud, it’s an unparalleled learning environment. The company is cited by experts as a top Chicago startup to watch in 2026 due to its focused growth in AI and IoT.

The tech stack is diverse and modern, involving Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, and embedded systems programming. This breadth ensures you won't be siloed but will develop a comprehensive understanding of modern product development. For those with a bootcamp background or self-taught skills, this practical, systems-oriented environment is an ideal building site.

With significant funding noted in the research, Hologram provides relative stability for early-career risk-taking. As you evaluate this opportunity alongside others, remember that compensation in Illinois' startup scene for junior roles can be competitive, with data showing a range from $64k to $177k. This startup represents a foundational opportunity to build expertise in one of technology's most impactful frontiers.

Moov

In the heart of Fulton Market, Moov is constructing the fundamental payments infrastructure - the essential plumbing of the digital economy. This fintech foundation layer enables other companies to move money, offering junior developers a chance to work on deeply technical, API-driven problems with immediate real-world impact.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: The engineering culture here prioritizes "lifelong learning" and raw "problem-solving," traits that resonate deeply with bootcamp graduates and self-taught coders. You won't be siloed in maintenance tasks; you'll be hands-on with building the core systems that power modern finance, gaining experience with a sophisticated stack including Go, Kubernetes, and gRPC.

This focus on practical skill over pedigree makes it a sought-after destination. Its reputation is backed by recognition as one of the Best Startups to Work for in Chicago in 2026. For a junior developer, this translates to a supportive yet challenging neighborhood where you can hustle and grow.

You can find these opportunities by monitoring platforms like ZipRecruiter for entry-level roles in Chicago, where Moov actively lists its engineering openings. Choosing a startup like Moov means building on a site with a strong cultural blueprint, where your first desk is placed right in the middle of the action.

Draftbit

Draftbit challenges the very nature of software creation as a no-code powerhouse that empowers users to build native mobile apps visually, with the ability to dive into the clean React Native code it generates. For a junior developer, this presents a unique opportunity to understand the full spectrum of development, from intuitive UI builders to the underlying logic they produce.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: This environment fosters a keen product sense and teaches you how to build the tools that other developers use - an invaluable perspective for any career. You'll work across the stack with JavaScript, React Native, and Node.js, gaining insight into both the consumer-facing product and the complex engineering that makes it possible. It’s a masterclass in modern application architecture.

Cited as a top startup for modern software development in Chicago, Draftbit represents the innovative, forward-thinking edge of the city's tech scene. As part of Chicago's ecosystem, which ranks among the top 10 in the nation, working here means contributing to a culture that's redefining how software gets made.

For a junior developer, this isn't just a job; it's an apprenticeship in the future of development. You're not just learning a framework; you're helping to build the blueprint for how the next generation of creators will build. In a city filled with potential building sites, Draftbit offers a chance to work on the tools that will shape all the others.

Clearcover

Clearcover stands out in Chicago's robust fintech and insurtech landscape as a digital car insurance company that leverages AI and data science to offer more affordable rates. For a junior developer, this means your code directly influences sophisticated risk models and customer pricing - a compelling blend of software engineering and applied data science.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: You'll gain production experience with a modern, data-centric tech stack including Python, React, AWS, and machine learning frameworks. The company cultivates a supportive environment for growth, consistently earning a spot on "Best Places to Work" lists. This culture transforms it from just a workplace into a nurturing neighborhood where you can safely experiment and learn.

As a recurring name among Chicago's top startups, Clearcover offers relative stability within the dynamic startup scene. The practical experience you gain here - building systems where algorithms meet real-world financial decisions - is a powerful foundation. It’s the equivalent of moving into a well-constructed building in a thriving district, where everything you need to grow is within reach.

With the average salary for a Junior Frontend Developer in Chicago at approximately $91,730, roles at established, data-driven startups like Clearcover offer competitive compensation alongside immense learning potential. For a junior developer ready to build, it represents a prime site where you can immediately start adding value to a complex, AI-powered product.

ResolveGrid

Operating in the West Loop, ResolveGrid epitomizes the greenfield project - an early-stage startup tackling complex, real-world problems with integrated AI. For a junior developer, this is the ultimate "build-from-scratch" environment, where you're not just filling a role but helping pour the foundation and raise the walls.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: As one of the first engineering hires, you would have unparalleled ownership and responsibility. Recent postings have explicitly targeted "early applicants" to assemble the initial team. This means you'd help shape the core architecture, engineering culture, and product direction from day one, a level of impact rare in any career stage.

You’ll build with a modern SaaS stack, likely involving TypeScript, React, and Node.js, with Python for the AI components. This hands-on experience across the entire development lifecycle is invaluable. As part of Chicago's #7-ranked startup ecosystem, joining a company at this stage is a high-stakes, high-reward proposition, offering significant equity and a resume-defining experience.

This path isn't for everyone - it carries the volatility inherent in early ventures. However, for the junior developer with a builder's mindset, it’s a chance to skip the minor leagues. To find similar ground-floor opportunities, track recently funded startups actively hiring their founding teams.

Hireology

Based in the West Loop, Hireology represents a later-stage startup that has successfully maintained its dynamic growth culture. It provides hiring software for small businesses and has built a well-earned reputation as a career development track for junior talent, offering a stable yet entrepreneurial environment to level up.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: The company is famous for its "customized development tracks," a formalized mentorship approach that provides clear direction from day one. This structure has earned it recognition on lists like Built In Chicago's top companies for career development. Hireology has a demonstrated history of being open to bootcamp graduates, with a transparent career ladder that progresses from Associate to Senior levels.

You’ll gain deep experience with a proven stack centered on Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, and React. This combination of a supportive culture and in-demand technical skills makes it an ideal neighborhood for foundational growth. The company's maturity offers the runway of a more established organization while preserving the impactful, close-knit feel of a startup.

Ranked as a 2026 Best Place to Work by Built In Chicago, Hireology provides a blueprint for structured career growth. For a junior developer, this translates to a building site where the foremen are invested in your blueprint, helping you construct a robust and versatile skill set for the long term.

Aeropay

In Fulton Market's bustling fintech corridor, Aeropay operates as a secure digital payment and banking solution. As a Series B startup, it navigates the heavily regulated financial space, emphasizing security, compliance, and sleek user experience from the ground up.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: This environment teaches you to write production-grade code with security as a first principle, a priceless and highly transferable skill. Aeropay actively creates pathways for new talent, consistently listing entry-level software engineer roles. It was highlighted in industry analysis as a startup to watch in 2026, signaling its growth trajectory and need for builders.

The technical work involves a modern stack of JavaScript/TypeScript, React, and Node.js, integrated with secure fintech APIs. For a junior developer, this offers a perfect blend of cutting-edge web development and the rigorous discipline required in finance. The Series B funding provides ample operational runway, reducing the volatility risk often associated with startup roles and offering a more stable foundation for your early career.

To explore these opportunities, platforms like WayUp specialize in connecting new graduates and junior talent with roles at high-growth companies like Aeropay. Choosing a startup at this stage means moving into a neighborhood that's already thriving, with the blueprints and resources in place for you to build something lasting.

Prenosis

Located in River North, Prenosis operates at the forefront of mission-driven AI healthtech, applying precision medicine to diagnose and predict complex diseases like sepsis. This startup represents the powerful intersection of Chicago's healthcare strengths and its growing AI research ecosystem, drawing talent from institutions like the University of Chicago and Argonne National Lab.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: The life-saving mission attracts brilliant, collaborative people and offers a profound sense of purpose. Prenosis actively hires for entry-level roles such as "Robotics AI Engineer," with a posted salary range of $71k to $94k. Crucially, these positions promise hands-on work directly alongside senior mentors on groundbreaking healthcare data integrations, providing an unparalleled applied learning experience.

You'll engage with a stack built on Python, React, AWS, and specialized healthcare data systems. The company's significant momentum, backed by a $20 million Series A round and a major government contract in 2026, signals strong stability and growth potential for early-career hires. This financial runway reduces risk and indicates a building site with a solid, long-term foundation.

To find these roles, dedicated platforms like Built In Chicago's entry-level engineering board are essential. Joining a startup like Prenosis means your first desk is placed in a neighborhood defined by impact, where the code you help build has the potential to directly improve and save lives.

Valkyrie Trading

Positioned in the West Loop and the Loop, Valkyrie Trading stands as the premier launchpad for junior developers ready for a high-performance environment. This growth-stage proprietary trading firm represents the pinnacle of structured, high-reward mentorship in Chicago's tech scene, combining intense challenges with an unparalleled commitment to education.

Why It’s Great for Juniors: The firm sets the gold standard by explicitly advertising "Junior Software Engineer" roles that promise "direct mentoring from senior software engineers." This apprenticeship-style learning is coupled with a starting salary of approximately $140,000, one of the most competitive packages for entry-level talent in the city. You'll be immersed in low-latency systems and complex financial algorithms from your first day, building with a sophisticated stack of C++, C#, and Python.

This opportunity exists within Chicago's #7-ranked U.S. startup ecosystem, a hub that supports such high-caliber, specialized tech firms. The environment is undoubtedly high-stakes and performance-driven, but for those who thrive on solving extreme technical challenges, it offers a career-defining foundation. The compensation reflects both the value of the skills you'll acquire and the intensity of the work.

Finding these elite opportunities requires targeting the right resources. While general job boards may list some roles, platforms like Built In Chicago often feature more specialized fintech and trading positions. Choosing Valkyrie means your first desk is placed on the most demanding but rewarding construction site in town, where the blueprints are complex and the foremen are masters of their craft.

Finding and Evaluating Your Startup Opportunity

The best startup opportunities for junior developers in Chicago are often not on generic job boards. To find your ideal building site, you need to tap into the city's specific networks and know what to look for in a company's blueprint.

First, leverage local hubs. Built In Chicago is the indispensable filter for entry-level startup roles. Follow incubators like 1871 and mHUB to discover companies fresh out of accelerator programs. For direct connections to founders making their first critical hires, tap into networks like the Founders Network Chicago.

Once you've identified potential opportunities, evaluate their stability like a builder inspecting a lot. Focus on three key areas:

1. Runway: How much capital do they have? A recent Series A or B round (like Prenosis's $20M Series A or Aeropay's Series B) typically provides 18-36 months of operating capital, offering a safer foundation for your early career.
2. Growth Signals: Are they hiring strategically across multiple roles? Check LinkedIn to see if the team has grown consistently over the past 6-12 months. Consistent hiring is a sign of health.
3. Team & Culture: Look for evidence of structured mentorship, like the "customized development tracks" at Hireology or the direct senior mentorship promised at Valkyrie Trading. The neighborhood matters as much as the building.

Your first startup role is the foundation you pour. By proactively searching the right channels and critically evaluating a company's stability and culture, you can choose a site in Chicago's dynamic ecosystem where you'll have the best tools, wisest mentors, and strongest ground upon which to build your career.

Frequently Asked Questions