Your Gateway to America's Business Capital. Apex Chicago connects global enterprises with the Midwest's economic powerhouse—30 Fortune 500 headquarters, world-leading derivatives exchanges, and the nation's premier logistics hub.
Third-largest US economy, #2 Fortune 500 city, world's derivatives capital, and the nation's transportation crossroads.
30 Fortune 500 headquarters—#2 in the US after NYC. McDonald's, United Airlines, Abbott, Exelon, Kraft Heinz, Walgreens, and more call Chicago home.
CME Group: world's largest derivatives exchange. $1 quadrillion in annual trading volume. CBOE: largest options exchange. 58,800+ derivatives industry jobs.
Only state crossed by all 7 Class I railroads. O'Hare: one of world's busiest airports. Nation's freight hub connecting coasts to heartland.
1,600+ active startups, 12+ unicorns. $6B+ VC deployed in 2023. Startup ecosystem ranked #15 globally. Fintech, logistics tech, and food tech leadership.
Diverse economy, world-class talent, central location, and lower costs than coastal cities make Chicago the smart choice for business.
36.7% lower cost of living than San Francisco. Competitive real estate and talent costs compared to coastal metros. More value for your investment.
University of Chicago, Northwestern, Illinois Tech. Deep talent pool across finance, tech, and engineering. $128K average software engineer salary.
Two hours to either coast by flight. Same-day reach to 80% of US population. Time zone advantage for global business operations.
No single industry dominates. Finance, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, food, tech—diversification provides stability and opportunity.
Whether you're seeking services or offering expertise, Apex connects you with the right partners in America's business capital.
Find trusted Chicago-area service providers—from trading technology and logistics optimization to corporate headquarters setup and Midwest market expansion.
Find ServicesJoin our vetted network of service providers and connect with international companies seeking Chicago's business infrastructure and Midwest market access.
Join NetworkCME and CBOE access, derivatives trading, quantitative finance, prop trading partnerships, and fintech development.
Rail and trucking coordination, O'Hare air freight, warehouse solutions, last-mile delivery, and supply chain optimization.
Illinois LLC/corporation setup, US entity formation, registered agent services, corporate governance, and compliance.
VC introductions, angel network access, pitch preparation, Series A-C fundraising, and strategic investor matching.
Corporate law, H-1B/O-1/L-1 visas, IP and trademark protection, M&A advisory, and international tax planning.
Food innovation partnerships, agtech VC connections, CPG manufacturing, and farm-to-shelf supply chain solutions.
Join exclusive business events, expos, and networking opportunities in America's business capital.
Premium business exhibitions connecting global investors with fintech, logistics, food tech, and manufacturing opportunities in the Midwest.
Learn MoreThe Midwest's premier VC event. Connect with Jump Capital, Hyde Park Ventures, Lightbank, and top regional investors backing tomorrow's unicorns.
Get InvitedThe foodservice industry's flagship event. Extended contract through 2032 in Chicago. Innovation, networking, and business development.
Request AccessApex Chicago is part of a global business ecosystem spanning legal entities in Spain, USA, Singapore, and Dubai.
Essential information for doing business in Chicago and Illinois.
30 Fortune 500 headquarters (#2 after NYC), $770B+ metro GDP (#3 in US), world's largest derivatives exchange (CME Group), and the nation's rail and logistics hub. Diversified economy spans finance, manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and tech.
CME Group (merged CME, CBOT, NYMEX, COMEX) handles $1 quadrillion annually—world's largest. CBOE is America's largest options exchange. Derivatives industry employs 58,800+ in Illinois, growing 19% over the past decade.
Ranked #15 globally. 1,600+ active startups, 12+ unicorns. $6B+ VC deployed in 2023. Key sectors: fintech, logistics tech, food tech, healthtech. Strong accelerators: 1871, Techstars Chicago, Chicago Innovation Exchange.
Jump Capital (fintech focus), Hyde Park Venture Partners (Midwest B2B), Lightbank (Groupon founders), MATH Venture Partners, S2G Ventures (food tech), OCA Ventures, and M25 (seed-stage Midwest focus).
Only state where all 7 Class I railroads converge. O'Hare: one of world's busiest airports. Central location reaches 80% of US population same-day. Major trucking hub with interstate highway access.
55.3M visitors in 2024. Millennium Park & Cloud Gate, Art Institute, Navy Pier, Magnificent Mile, Willis Tower Skydeck, Wrigley Field, Museum of Science and Industry. World-class dining and architecture.
Comprehensive US market entry including company formation, VC introductions, Fortune 500 partnership facilitation, logistics coordination, legal advisory, and access to our 80+ country global network.
Illinois INVEST Fund for equity investments, Angel Investment Credit Program (up to 35% tax credits), SBIR/STTR matching grants, Quantum Enterprise Zone benefits, and various R&D incentives.
Apex Business Group Worldwide operates on a simple but powerful principle: "By members, for members." Our global ecosystem spans legal entities in Spain, USA, Singapore, and Dubai, delivering premium business services across 80+ countries.
In Chicago, we connect you with America's most diversified business economy—from CME Group's trillion-dollar trading floors to Fortune 500 boardrooms, from Silicon Prairie startups to the nation's premier logistics infrastructure.
Whether you're a European manufacturer seeking Midwest distribution, an Asian fintech targeting US derivatives markets, or a global investor exploring heartland opportunities, Apex provides the connections and expertise to succeed.
Chicago offers what no coastal city can: Fortune 500 density, world-leading financial exchanges, central location, diversified economy, and 36% lower costs than San Francisco. The smart choice for global business.
Explore USA ServicesConnect with Apex Chicago for premium business services, exclusive networking, and your gateway to America's business capital.