19 Chicago Consulting Firms Helping Businesses Make Better Decisions

These consulting firms in Chicago help businesses evolve, grow and make crucial decisions.

Written by Alyssa Schroer
A photo of the Chicago River taken across from Merchandise Mart.
Image: Shutterstock
UPDATED BY
Brennan Whitfield | Sep 02, 2026
REVIEWED BY
Ellen Glover
Summary: Chicago’s consulting scene powers everything from digital transformation to sustainability and AI. Global heavyweights like PwC and Slalom anchor a market where firms blend data, technology and industry expertise to help businesses scale and adapt.

Among shiny startups and massive tech companies, consulting firms may not seem quite as glamorous, but they do important work, offering businesses essential services and providing third-party expertise. These firms help businesses like the aforementioned startups evolve, grow and make crucial decisions. 

Top Consulting Firms in Chicago

  • PwC
  • Nerdery
  • Slalom
  • Apexon
  • Caxy

Related ResourcesFind Your Next Job on Built In Chicago

 

Top Consulting Firms in Chicago

Type: Financial Services and Digital Transformation

What it does: PwC is a professional services network that provides consulting, audit and assurance, tax and managed services to organizations across various industries. The firm assists clients with financial statement audits, tax compliance and strategy, digital transformation, AI implementation and cyber and regulatory risk management.

 

Type: Fintech

What it does: Capco is a global business and technology consultancy that provides advisory and transformation services, with expertise in banking and payments, capital markets and energy sectors. The firm assists clients with navigating regulatory changes, modernizing core technology operations and managing data capabilities.

 

Type: Data and Analytics Consulting

What it does: Analytics8 is a data analytics and AI consulting firm that assists organizations with implementing and managing their data operations. The company provides services including data strategy advisory, infrastructure modernization, data engineering, advanced analytics and data monetization.

 

Type: Artificial Intelligence

What it does: Quantum Rise is an AI consulting firm that assists companies with integrating AI technologies into their business operations. Using its QR/OS delivery framework, Quantum Rise provides services including strategic advisory, workflow redesign, agentic system development and workforce AI training.

 

Type: Digital Solutions

What it does: Wipfli is a professional services firm that provides accounting, tax, audit and advisory services to middle-market organizations across various industries. It also offers specialized solutions in digital technology, risk management, business outsourcing, M&A transaction advisory and organizational performance.

 

Type: Product development and Software Engineering Solutions

What it does: EPAM Systems is a software engineering and IT consulting firm that designs, builds and manages digital platforms and enterprise applications. It provides services in custom software development, cloud infrastructure modernization, AI integration, data engineering and user experience design for enterprise clients across multiple industries.

 

Type: Custom Software Consulting

What it does: Caxy is a digital consultancy and custom software development agency specializing in web applications and user experience design. The company leverages agile development principles and modern open-source technologies to help clients build, scale, and optimize digital products.

 

Type: Growth Consultancy

What it does: Ground Floor Partners is a business growth and consulting firm that provides hands-on strategic advisory and market execution services for small businesses, nonprofits and government entities across the United States. The firm works to guide organizations through critical growth phases using tailored business planning, market research and strategic marketing campaigns.

 

Type: Management Consultancy

What it does: Vantage Leadership is an executive coaching and talent management consulting firm that specializes in identifying and developing business leaders. It provides customized solutions for individual leaders, teams and organizations, including executive assessments, leadership development programs, high-performance team coaching and succession planning.

 

Type: Management Consultancy

What it does: 10Pearls is a digital development company that provides product design, software engineering and technology acceleration consulting services. The platform offers digital transformation solutions — including custom AI development, cloud modernization, data analytics and enterprise platform integration — to help scale businesses.

 

Type: Management Consultancy

What it does: AArete is a global management and technology consulting firm that assists organizations with operational efficiency, cost management and technology deployment. It provides services including strategic sourcing, digital transformation, AI integration and managed business operations across industries such as healthcare, financial services and retail.

 

Type: Management and IT Consultancy

What it does: Clarity Partners is a management and technology consulting firm that provides IT solutions and strategic consulting for multiple industries. It offers application development, cloud services, web design and development, enterprise performance management and content services aimed at optimizing businesses’ people, processes and technology operations.

 

Type: Management Consulting and Technology Firm

What it does: ZS is a global management consulting and technology firm that assists organizations with strategy, technology deployment and data analytics. It serves clients across sectors such as healthcare, life sciences, consumer goods and technology, with a focus on AI, customer experience design and digital transformation initiatives.

 

Type: Technology Consultancy 

What it does: Apexon is a digital consulting and technology services firm that assists organizations with digital engineering, cloud architecture and AI adoption. The firm provides services in data analytics, user experience design, software product development and quality engineering, primarily serving clients in the healthcare, financial services and technology sectors.

 

Type: Business Administration and Compliance Solutions Provider

What it does: CSC is a global business, legal, tax and digital brand-security services provider that assists organizations with entity management, compliance and capital market solutions across more than 140 jurisdictions. While primarily focused on operational administration and compliance execution, CSC also offers advisory and consulting services for areas such as tax technology transformation, fund operations and digital risk management.

 

Type: Web Design and Development

What it does: Adage Technologies is a digital strategy, design and development firm that builds custom software, e-commerce platforms and web solutions. It provides services in content management, digital experience platforms and AI consulting for clients across sectors like associations, performing arts and manufacturing.

 

Type: Sustainability Consulting

What it does: Energy CX is an energy broker and technology company that helps businesses manage and purchase energy similarly to a financial asset. The company provides data-based procurement, policy-driven strategy and ongoing portfolio management to help clients optimize energy spending and reduce risk.

 

Type: Digital Business Consultancy

What it does: Nerdery is a digital consultancy and solutions provider that offers business strategy, software engineering, user experience design and data analytics services. The company builds custom digital products, optimizes operations using AI and machine learning and modernizes cloud infrastructure for its clients.

 

Type: Software and Technology Consultancy

What it does: Slalom is a business and technology consulting firm that provides end-to-end services ranging from business strategy and organizational change to digital product building and customer experience design. It aims to help organizations across various industries grow by modernizing cloud infrastructure, implementing AI and data solutions and optimizing business operations.

 

Margo Steines, Ashley Bowden and Rose Velazquez contributed reporting to this story.

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