Startups
Our vision is a world thriving with aquatic life—from rockhoppers like Wellington the famous penguin to reef fish and more—sustained by people who love, understand and protect it. We've been sparking compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world since 1930. Every day, guests come eye-to-eye with bluegills and belugas, stingrays and sturgeons, sea stars and sea otters and much more to discover their inner aquatic biologist or underwater explorer—whether that's at Shedd or while visiting us digitally.
Our work—animal care, conservation research and educational opportunities for learners of all ages—doesn't stop at our walls. It encompasses the Great Lakes and extends to endangered aquatic animals and ecosystems around the world. Through guests at Shedd, virtual learnings programs, or through local habitat restoration sites locally, we welcome everyone to become a citizen scientist and to take action for animals.
Our work—animal care, conservation research and educational opportunities for learners of all ages—doesn't stop at our walls. It encompasses the Great Lakes and extends to endangered aquatic animals and ecosystems around the world. Through guests at Shedd, virtual learnings programs, or through local habitat restoration sites locally, we welcome everyone to become a citizen scientist and to take action for animals.
Overview
Location
United States, Illinois, Chicago
Employees
201-500
Phone
+1 312-939-2438
Total raised
$2M
Founded date
1930
Funding Rounds 1
| Date | Series | Amount | Investors |
| Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see |
Mentions in press and media 17
| Date | Title | Description |
| Sign up to see | Sign up to see | Sign up to see |
| Sep 3, 2026 | Two more belugas die at Chicago aquarium | Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Two additional beluga whales have died at Shedd Aquarium, the facility shared late Wednesday. The announcement comes just over a week after the death of another member of Shedd’s recently expanded ... |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Peekachu, a beluga whale rescued from Canada, dies at Chicago aquarium | Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Peekachu, a 23-year-old beluga whale rescued from a closed marine park in Canada, died at Shedd Aquarium on Tuesday, staff announced in a post. She was blind in one eye but had little trouble socia... |
| Mar 12, 2026 | 2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO RIVER SWIM RETURNS SEPT. 20 FOLLOWING HISTORIC FIRST YEAR, ESTABLISHING NEW CIVIC TRADITION | Presented by the City of Chicago and Mayor Brandon Johnson, the Swim celebrates the river's revival while supporting ALS research and youth swim education WHAT: Open-water swim through the Chicago River featuring hundreds of qualified swimm... |
| Mar 12, 2026 | - | The inaugural Swim in 2025 marked a historic milestone as the first organized open water swim in the Chicago River in 98 years, demonstrating that the river can safely support large-scale recreational use while serving as a platform for env... |
| Sep 22, 2025 | CHICAGO RIVER SWIM MAKES HISTORIC RETURN AFTER NEARLY A CENTURY | Raises $150,000 to support ALS research and youth swim education CHICAGO, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago River Swim returned on Sunday, September 21, for the first time in 98 years, marking a historic milestone for the city and ... |
| Aug 26, 2025 | Coral Restoration Foundation and Shedd Aquarium Lead Landmark Coral Spawning Research in the Florida Keys | CRF Restoration Program Manager Dr Phanor Montoya-Maya collecting a vial of staghorn gametes in the CRF Tavernier Nursery CRF Reef Restoration Coordinator Michelle Dobler and Dr. Shayle-Matsuda, research biologist at Shedd Aquarium working ... |
| Jul 17, 2025 | Can artificial reefs in Lake Michigan slow erosion and boost fish population? Researchers aim to find out. | “The designers call it passive sand management, just to slow erosion down when it’s the worst,” said Steve Brown, the Illinois state geologist. “That was part of the idea — a lower-cost offshore breakwater system. And we’re trying to see, d... |
| May 21, 2025 | Survivors of clergy sexual abuse turn up calls for reforms from new pope’s American hometown | “It is our hope that Pope Leo does the right thing,” Shaun Dougherty, SNAP president, told reporters in Chicago. “It is our gut, in our experience, that says that he will need the pressure.” Associated Press requests for comment to the Vati... |
| Dec 21, 2023 | Traditional shark nets are known as 'walls of death.' A new eco-friendly barrier uses magnetic fields to deter sharks instead of trap them. | Science Traditional shark nets are known as 'walls of death.' A new eco-friendly barrier uses magnetic fields to deter sharks instead of trap them. Jenny McGrath 2023-12-20T22:56:45Z Share icon An curved arrow pointing right. Share Facebook... |
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FAQ about Shedd Aquarium
When was Shedd Aquarium founded?
Shedd Aquarium was founded in 1930.
How much funding has Shedd Aquarium raised?
Shedd Aquarium has raised $2M in total across 1 funding round.
What has the press written about Shedd Aquarium?
Parsers VC has collected 17 articles mentioning Shedd Aquarium, among them “Two more belugas die at Chicago aquarium” (Sep 3, 2026) and “Peekachu, a beluga whale rescued from Canada, dies at Chicago aquarium” (Aug 27, 2026).
Is Shedd Aquarium still active?
Yes, Shedd Aquarium is active; its latest activity on Parsers VC dates from Sep 22, 2026.