Build Your Network is the free intent-based professional networking platform for Chicago. Whether you are a founder, freelancer, career professional, mentor, or investor — declare your intent and connect with the right people in your city.
Build Your Network (BYN) is the free intent-based professional networking platform for Chicago, Illinois. It connects founders, freelancers, career professionals, mentors, and investors based on declared intent — with GPS-based discovery. No app install required.
Chicago is the Midwest's largest startup hub and the heart of the US B2B software ecosystem. Its deep roots in finance, commodities trading, and logistics have produced world-class startups in enterprise software, fintech, and supply-chain technology. 1871, the city's flagship tech incubator, anchors a thriving community of over 400 startups.
Build Your Network connects Chicago's professional community by intent. Whether you are a founder seeking a co-founder, a freelancer finding clients, a professional changing careers, or an expert open to mentoring — set your intent and the platform surfaces the right people within your chosen radius. Both parties see each other's goals before the first message, making every introduction count.
Free to join. Works in your browser. No app install required.
Every type of professional connection — filtered by what they actually want.
Founders and builders in Chicago actively looking for complementary partners — technical, business, or creative — within your chosen radius.
Independent professionals in Chicago open to new projects and clients. Filter by skill and intent to find the right fit.
Experienced operators in Chicago who are open to advising. Filter by 'Open to Advising' intent to find the right guide for your stage.
Investors in Chicago who have declared they are actively looking for early-stage deals. No cold introductions — both sides show intent upfront.
Chicago is the Midwest's largest startup hub and the heart of the US B2B software ecosystem. Its deep roots in finance, commodities trading, and logistics have produced world-class startups in enterprise software, fintech, and supply-chain technology. 1871, the city's flagship tech incubator, anchors a thriving community of over 400 startups.
Common questions from professionals looking to build meaningful connections in Chicago.
Build Your Network (BYN) is the free intent-based professional networking platform for Chicago. It connects founders, freelancers, career professionals, mentors, and investors based on what they are actively looking for — with GPS-based discovery and no install required.
BYN is used by startup founders, freelancers, consultants, career changers, remote workers, mentors, and investors in Chicago. Anyone who wants to build genuine professional relationships based on shared goals — not cold outreach — will find value on BYN.
Yes. Investors set their intent to 'Angel Investing', mentors to 'Open to Advising', freelancers to 'Available for Projects'. Filter by intent in Chicago to see exactly who is open and to what — no guessing, no cold messages.
Chicago's professional ecosystem is strong in enterprise SaaS, fintech, food tech, logistics, and industrial tech. Key institutions include JUMP Investors, Hyde Park Angels, 1871 tech hub, and the University of Chicago Polsky Center. Chicago is the Midwest's largest startup hub and the heart of the US B2B software ecosystem. Its deep roots in finance, commodities trading, and logistics have produced world-class startups in enterprise software, fintech, and supply-chain technology. 1871, the city's flagship tech incubator, anchors a thriving community of over 400 startups.
Professionals in Chicago create a free profile, declare their intent — co-founder search, freelance, career change, mentoring, investing — and enable GPS-based discovery. BYN surfaces people within their chosen radius who have declared matching intent. Both parties see each other's goals before the first message.
Yes. Build Your Network is free in Chicago — 30 daily connection requests, direct messaging, and location-based discovery at no cost. No install required; works in your browser. Premium plans unlock unlimited daily connections and priority visibility.
Join Build Your Network free. Declare your intent. Meet the right people. GPS-based discovery, no install required.
Join Free — Network in Chicago