A Winning Play: Monarc’s Move to Chicago Strengthens the City’s Sports & Innovation Ecosystem

As the big game on Sunday approaches, all eyes are on the elite athletes and cutting-edge technology shaping the future of football. But innovation doesn’t just happen on the field—it starts in the lab, training rooms, and cities that foster next-generation talent.

That’s why Monarc, the pioneering sports robotics company behind The Seeker,a robotic quarterback used by top college and NFL teams, decided to relocate its headquarters from Dallas to Chicago in 2024.

The Seeker, a cutting-edge robotic quarterback developed by Chicago-based Monarc, provides NFL wide receivers and tight ends with the ability to perfect their craft—by delivering precise, high-speed passes. Learn more about this game-changing innovation on Stories from The 78 with Tom Barnas.

Monarc’s journey began in a small Iowa City townhouse, where co-founders Bhargav Maganti and Igor Karlicicdeveloped a revolutionary way to enhance football training.

After refining their technology and securing key partnerships—including with San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle—they sought to find a city with the talent, infrastructure, and business ecosystem to fuel their next growth phase. That city? Chicago.

Why Chicago?

• Prime Location & Logistics – Chicago’s central location and world-class logistics make it an ideal hub for scaling operations, ensuring seamless production and distribution of The Seeker to teams nationwide—tapping into global logistics and transportation networks.
• Elite Talent & University Pipeline – Chicago provides access to nearly 500,000 university students within a five-hour drive, an invaluable talent pipeline for engineering, data analytics, and sports science—all crucial to Monarc’s continued success.
• A True Sports City – Chicago is built for champions, with a deep-rooted love for football and a history of legendary teams. It’s no surprise that Monarc’s technology has already been embraced by nearly half of the Power Four college football teams, including Ohio State and Notre Dame, this year’s national championship contenders. Chicago roars with love for football.

“Chicago offers the perfect blend of talent, culture, and access to strategic partners. Being here will supercharge the next phase of our growth,” said Monarc co-founder Bhargav Maganti.

World Business Chicago’s incredible convening power brings together leaders from civic, business, and government sectors to drive business growth and innovation across the city and beyond.

Last fall, as an example, Monarc’s founders traveled with World Business Chicago on a mayoral business delegation to London, highlighting Chicago’s leadership in climate, quantum, and technology innovation. The trip reinforced what they already knew—Chicago is a powerhouse for business growth, collaboration, and opportunity. As an added bonus, they witnessed the Chicago Bears deliver a decisive victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“We knew Chicago had the right ecosystem, but World Business Chicago made sure we had the connections and resources to thrive here,” said Igor Karlicic, Monarc’s co-founder.

World Business Chicago: Helping Monarc Make the Move

When Monarc began exploring cities for its next chapter, World Business Chicago helped navigate the transition—providing connections to key business leaders, supply chain resources, and infrastructure partners.

By relocating to Chicago, Monarc is not just building the future of football training—they’re reinforcing Chicago’s status as a powerhouse for sports innovation, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.

Located in Goose Island’s innovation corridor, Monarc is now at the intersection of sports, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Their relocation speaks to Chicago’s leadership in sports innovation and its ability to attract game-changing businesses.

“The North Branch corridor has long been an industrial hub, and companies like Monarc are helping to redefine it as a next-generation center for innovation and manufacturing,” said Jonathan Snyder, Executive Director of North Branch Works.

Chicago: Where Big Ideas Come to Life

A Game-Changer for Football & Chicago

Monarc’s 854% increase in expected points added per play is revolutionizing football training. As they continue to scale the business, their impact will extend beyond the gridiron—fueling job creation, and innovation, and reinforcing Chicago’s reputation as a global leader in sports technology.

“Monarc’s move to Chicago strengthens our standing as a hub for sports innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced manufacturing,” said Chicago Sports Commission Executive Director Kara Bachman.

As Super Bowl Sunday arrives, the pinnacle of football and the ultimate spectacle for sports fans—we recognize that Monarc embodies the bold ideas and breakthrough innovationsthat define Chicago’s impact on sports innovation and technology.

From the Chicago Bears, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Fire FC, Chicago Stars FC, Chicago Sky WNBA, to the explosive rise of esports and gaming hubs, Chicago is a dominant force shaping the future of competitive sports and digital entertainment. With a breathtaking skyline, lakefront, and access to the largest body of fresh water for hundreds of miles, our city remains a premier destination for visionary companies and game-changing ideas.

“On behalf of everyone at World Business Chicago we congratulate Monarc Sports on its incredible impact on the performance of our favorite football teams and their 2024 decision to make Chicago the headquarters for their growth!” — Kyle Schulz, Chief Growth Officer, World Business Chicago.

Thanks to WBC’s business development experts Kyle T. Schulz, Rebecca Motley, and Enrique Rubio, CGBPfor helping bring this story to life.

If you’re interested in learning how you can start, relocate, or expand your business in Chicago, DM us—we’ll be in touch right away!