Spotlight on Chicago’s Innovative App Developers

“If you can’t find a job in Chicago, you can’t find a job anywhere!‘” That’s what Jack’s dad had to say. Jack is a Chicago-born technologist with over 12 years of experience in tech and consumer technology. Jack is not alone.

Chicago has thousands of successful programmers and application developers such as Jack, making a difference in the technological world. According to The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Chicago ranks as one of America’s leading tech hubs and has recorded a whopping 18% growth in its tech workforce in the last decade.

The Windy City has quietly built an ecosystem of talent, very suitable connections, and lower costs of business – making a perfect recipe for establishing innovative tech companies as well as startups. Ranked in the 6th position in the United States, as per the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2024, Chicago was home to 31 Fortune 500 companies, showcasing its strong industrial roots and business-friendly environment. 

The goal is not to rival Silicon Valley and New York but to make the most out of Chicago. If you are either a company or a startup seeking to build a good tech team, hiring app developers in Chicago may be the best decision. This blog discusses why Chicago is such a great place for tech and what that means for your business.

Chicago’s Tech Ecosystem is a Flourishing Hub for App Developers

Tech development has grown rapidly in Chicago. It is one of the preferred locations in the US for app developers because the city’s tech ecosystem is wide-ranging, majorly including healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, which keep pushing innovation and demand development services.

The greatest strength of Chicago lies in its diverse, inclusive tech community, highly skilled workforce, and dynamic venture capital landscape, making it an attractive location for fresh talent and investors looking for the next big idea.

Tech giants are investing in Chicago’s potential. For example, Salesforce plans to bring 1,000 additional jobs by 2024, and Uber Freight relocated to its Chicago headquarters in 2019. Google also deepened its finance division expansion in the city, enhancing Chicago’s reputation as a principal player in the U.S. tech market.

Chicago is an excellent location for businesses looking to hire app developers, considering the excellent talent pool combined with a cost-effective solution. Chicago’s tech workforce has grown by 18% in the last ten years, thereby providing a stable workforce for any app development needs.

Access to a Talented Workforce

The largest advantage that Chicago presents to app developers is the deep talent pool it provides. Universities, including the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and Illinois Institute of Technology, churn out remarkable developers annually. 

It is indeed easy to pick out the best since they are geographically concentrated in one place. Living costs are also considered cheap with excellent quality that makes it attractive for experts from all other parts of the country to settle, hence giving companies more choices.

Health corporations such as Teladoc Health and MDLIVE have already realized the prowess of Chicago developers in realizing innovative ideas to become viable platforms. Last year alone, Chicago’s technology sector boasted over 106,000 professionals, which is making the city increasingly attractive to business leaders interested in tech savvy.

Innovative Tech Companies Powering Chicago’s Growth

Chicago’s tech community is fueled by a very vibrant ecosystem with innovative tech companies and many startups. With incubators like 1871, MATTER, and mHub supporting new ideas, Chicago offers a perfect environment of innovation for its businesses. These spaces would help businesses collaborate, connect, and grow, which is why Chicago has become a major hub for app development.

Some notable startups that have succeeded include Cameo, which raised over $165 million and was started at the University of Chicago, among others. Companies like Braintree, sold to PayPal for $800 million, are even deciding to base their headquarters in the city solely for the unique ecosystem of tech in it. In just one year, 2021, venture capital went up 96% here, to the tune of $5.5 billion; indeed, Chicago is becoming a giant in the tech world.

Cost of Living vs. Salary: Why Chicago is a Prime Destination for Developers

Chicago boasts one of the best cost-to-salary balances within the tech world, which is why developers are seeking places like this. It is cheaper to live in Chicago than in a coastal city like San Francisco or New York. This enables higher standards of living for developers and operating cost cuts for companies, particularly office space.

Cost Comparison Between Major Tech Hubs:

• San Francisco: 50% more expensive to run an office than in Chicago
• New York City: 40% more expensive than in Chicago, all things considered
• Seattle: 20% more expensive to live in than in Chicago

Chicago’s low costs have been part of the reason Yelp, for instance, expanded there. Low costs combined with talented developers make Chicago a prime choice for technology firms that need to scale effectively.

Chicago’s Diverse and Inclusive Tech Ecosystem

Chicago is not just growing in tech but setting the bar in terms of diversity and inclusion. The city boasts 34% of tech startups founded by women. A figure that is even higher than most other hubs. Chicago also leads some initiatives to grow Black and Latinx representation in tech, making it an attractive environment for businesses focused on diversity.

An example of this investment firm is InvestHER. It is focused on specifically supporting women-led startups. Chicago has the highest share of female founders among the top 20 tech hubs, which proves it is diverse and inclusive regarding tech growth and opportunity.

A World of Networking Opportunities

Chicago hosts some of the finest networking events and conferences, which can easily connect startups and businesses with app developers in Chicago. Some of these include Techweek and Chicago Ideas Week, where tech leaders, developers, and investors can meet, share ideas and form partnerships. These events help companies recruit talent, showcase their projects, and stay up to date on the latest trends in tech.

Since several hackathons and meetups take place throughout the year, a community of innovative tech companies and software engineering firms can be built around collaboration in Chicago. Attending these events can give opportunities for startups as well as firms to find top app developers in Chicago and expand their technological capabilities.

Government Programs Supporting Chicago’s Tech Boom

Chicago’s tech growth has been significantly boosted by local government programs to attract businesses and tech talent. One key initiative is the Illinois Data Center Investment Program, which offers tax breaks for companies that set up data centers. This has helped attract big players like Meta, which recently expanded its DeKalb data center and capitalized on the city’s growing infrastructure.

Apart from these, tax incentives in the form of the Illinois Angel Investment Tax Credit attract innovative startups and tech companies to set up shop in Chicago. These programs not only reduce costs but also make it easier for businesses to scale.

Today, Chicago remains the world’s fourth-largest data center market, with more than 60 data centers in operation. The governmental initiatives of these policies make it an economical and technology-friendly location for business owners and entrepreneurs to hire an app developer in Chicago.

What Sets Chicago Apart from Other Tech Hubs

Chicago might not always be in the headlines like Silicon Valley or New York, but it has become a very in-demand location for hiring the best tech talent, including the best software developers in Chicago.

What makes Chicago unique beyond the cost savings is its diverse industries, collaboration, and center location, which attract both new and established companies. Compared to other tech hubs in the country, Chicago offers a particularly exciting combination of advantages for scaling businesses.

Unique Strengths of Chicago’s Tech Ecosystem

Diversity is what forms the foundation for this thriving tech ecosystem in Chicago. Such diverse economies in which finance, healthcare, and logistics take major parts provide such a strong demand for innovation, giving businesses immense flexibility and creative leeway to disrupt old or traditional industries.

• Diverse economy: Chicago’s strength lies in its broad industry base. Whether it is fintech, medtech, or logistics, tech companies have endless opportunities to collaborate and innovate. This diversity gives businesses access to a varied client base and potential for growth​.
• Midwest location: As it is centrally located, companies find a great advantage when it reaches the entire market of the U.S. Major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami make it easier to connect without being at an extreme cost​.
• Collaborative spirit: The technology sector of Chicago is mainly backed by collaborations between the innovatively leading tech firms and those between Northwestern and The University of Chicago with the government’s schemes. This culture creates more strength in the innovative hub that further propels innovation into new ideas and opportunities.

Comparing Chicago with Other Tech Hubs

When compared to other major tech hubs, Chicago’s appeal goes beyond its cost-effectiveness. Here’s how it stacks up against places like San Francisco, New York City, and Seattle:

• Cost of Living: Chicago offers an appreciably lower cost of living than San Francisco and New York City, all without sacrificing quality of life. This makes it an excellent location for tech professionals looking to avoid the astronomical costs of coastal cities.
• Talent Pool: As much as the number of startups is lower in Chicago than in Silicon Valley, the tech ecosystem is growing fast. Over 2,057 startups and a strong pipeline of talent from universities ensure that the right talent pool is easily accessible.
• Funding and Investment: Chicago venture capital numbers still aren’t near Silicon Valley’s level, but that does not make the number it did achieve in 2023 insignificant. An astonishing 84.4% boost, which helped to raise a whopping $5.5 billion. That alone gives a pointer to the influence the city holds today as a significant player in tech and, indeed, the prime place for a number of investors seeking opportunities to support new and emerging technology.

The above factors distinguish Chicago from other leading tech cities with specific advantages in diversity, location, and affordability. Long-term success awaits businesses and startups willing to hire app developers in Chicago, for the city stands alone in providing the most unmatched benefits.

A Winning Destination for Startups and Established Players

If you are still reading, chances are you are a business owner or entrepreneur looking to hire app developers in Chicago. Perhaps you are still on the fence, but we have more proof that Chicago is the right place to look. The city has successful startups and global companies that have found Chicago to be the perfect environment for growth and innovation.

Successful Startups in Chicago

Chicago has transformed into a hotbed of rapidly scaling startups and heavily funded companies. For instance, SpotHero, the online parking reservation company that has raised over $1 billion, and Vivid Seats, the popular online ticket marketplace, tapped into the pool of local talent to construct the platforms. Uptake, a leader in predictive analytics, also scaled past the $200 million mark by navigating Chicago’s supportive ecosystem and key investors.

• SpotHero: The company solved a long-standing urban parking challenge with a novel app that helped it raise millions.
• Vivid Seats: With Chicago’s diverse and skilled workforce, the ticket-selling platform became more popular.
• Uptake: The company, having overcome the challenges, such as finding the right kind of investors in a relatively competitive market, secured over $200 million in capital.

Established Players that Have Invested in Chicago

Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce are some of the world’s largest tech giants, but they have invested in the city of Chicago for it to be strategic. The finance division of Google is expanded here, while Salesforce plans to add 1,000 new jobs by 2024. These companies were attracted by Chicago’s skilled workforce, affordable business environment, and excellent infrastructure.

Benefits of Remote Staffing Models in Chicago

Companies like Toptal, Gun.io, and Crew have taken advantage of Chicago’s rich talent pool through remote staffing. By hiring remotely, these businesses gain access to Chicago’s highly skilled app developers without the costs of setting up a physical office.

• Toptal: Uses remote staffing to connect global companies with top developers in USA.
• Crew: Leverages a remote staffing model to offer flexibility and cost savings while tapping into Chicago’s tech expertise.

Chicago remains the winning destination for startups as well as established companies on account of its strong talent pool, lower costs, and business-friendly environment. Whether you are looking forward to setting up locally or hiring remotely, Chicago offers the best conditions for success.

Why Tekrevol is the Go-to Choice for Hiring Top App Developers in Chicago

TekRevol has been a go-to partner for many businesses in Chicago and around the world since 2018, providing excellent mobile app development services. With over 250+ successful projects, Tekrevol stands out from the rest in delivering high-quality, scalable mobile apps in healthcare, eCommerce, and real estate.

TekRevol has set itself apart by screening only the top 1% of app developers in Chicago. With a guarantee of providing the finest talent to businesses, even the most complex app ideas can come to life in the hands of Tekrevol. Whether it’s talent sourcing, project management, or continuous post-launch support, Tekrevol is the one-stop solution for everything in the app development process.

With a team of 250+ highly skilled professionals and a record of award-winning apps, Tekrevol is the one-stop shop for businesses seeking the best software developers in Chicago. Let’s turn your app vision into reality. Contact Tekrevol today to find out how.

Final Word

Chicago has emerged as the best city to attract technology talent, thereby offering businesses an attractive synergy of diverse industries, expert app developers, and a supportive innovation ecosystem. 

Whether a startup or established, Chicago’s strong technical community, affordability, and initiatives through governments make it the perfect place for app development; with its thriving tech scene, Chicago is the go-to destination for businesses looking to build the future.