10 Predictions for Chicago Tech in 2035

To mark the first anniversary of the Top Ten in Tech: Chicago newsletter, the TechNexus team looks a decade ahead. Ten bold predictions for where Chicago's tech ecosystem is headed by 2035 — from AI and venture capital to infrastructure and talent.

One year ago, we launched the Top Ten in Tech: Chicago, a bi-weekly newsletter designed to be your essential guide to the biggest news, events, and insights across the city's vibrant tech scene. But we didn't stop at just the news. We've also brought you our unique perspective from the heart of TechNexus Venture Collaborative . Different members of our team have shared their expertise on everything from how we approach startup and corporate collaboration to our hands-on support for our portfolio companies long after our initial investment. Now, as we celebrate this one-year milestone, we're shifting our focus from the past to the future. TechNexus founders Terry Howerton and Fred Hoch , who have been instrumental in building Chicago's tech ecosystem for over 20 years, are looking ahead. They're sharing 10 bold predictions for what Chicago's tech landscape will look like a decade from now. Ten years from now, the current AI boom will have settled into a new normal. We’ll see driverless cars on our streets, new startups emerging to solve entirely new business challenges, and a city reborn by a deep-tech revolution. 10 Predictions for Chicago Tech in 2035 01 // Chicago Will Lead the Global Industrial AI Revolution While the coasts battle for dominance in consumer AI, Chicago will emerge as the global leader in applying AI to legacy industries by 2035. Chicago’s unique strengths — its diversified economy and manufacturing prowess — position it as a city synonymous with industry reinvention. Chicago's businesses, from agriculture to finance, are leveraging their vast history, proprietary data, and deep networks to integrate AI in new, transformative ways. This AI call to arms is forcing collaboration between sectors, creating an ecosystem where established companies and innovative startups are working together to solve some of the world’s most complex challenges. The evidence is already here. Established giants like Caterpillar and John Deere have set up technology hubs

By Terry Howerton, Fred Hoch at TechNexus Venture Collaborative