Chicago Venture Summit 2021 | World Business Chicago | 28 September 2021 | The Hoxton, Chicago, 200 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

“Given our city’s recent reopening, as well as the ever-growing number of investors choosing to support our city and our entrepreneurs, 2021 will truly be the best year for Chicago’s thriving startup and VC ecosystem,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “From new tech unicorns to record-breaking VC funding totals in the first six months of the year, it’s clear that Chicago is poised for levels of success unlike anything we have ever seen before in our tech industry in this year alone. I am thrilled to welcome investors to our city this fall to find their next big deal with our local entrepreneurs and innovative startups.

This year’s Summit will return fully in-person and all sessions will be available virtually for registered participants. The Summit is part of World Business Chicago’s innovation and venture portfolio of programs which also includes Startup Chicago – a VC attraction and startup growth program connecting local entrepreneurs with regional and national investors to accelerate growth.

Top investors from across the country come to Chicago to meet the best venture-backed companies in the Midwest. The Chicago Venture Summit is the city’s flagship venture capital conference which brings together local, regional, national, and international investors and Chicago’s leading entrepreneurs and industry leaders.

Bringing Leaders Together

The Chicago Venture Summit hosts some of the most influential venture capitalists, corporate V.C.’s, and angel investors in the country as they connect with high-potential startup companies from around the Midwest. The Summit curates uniques networking opportunities among Chicago’s Fortune 500 leadership, its local investor community, and the influencers of its burgeoning innovation ecosystem.

COVID Policy:
Full COVID-19 vaccination will be required to attend the 2021 Chicago Venture Summit. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines or to find a vaccination location near you, please visit www.vaccinefinder.org.

Eligible proofs of vaccination:
• Physical vaccination card or picture of the card.
• Vaccine passport (Clear Health Pass, CommonPass, IBM Digital Health Pass, etc.)

The Chicago Venture Summit reserves the right to deny entry to the event for individuals not able to provide proof of vaccination. Attendee information including name, email, and vaccination status will NOT be made public.

Note Picture ID required along with proof of vaccination.

2021 Speakers

Mark Tebbe
Innovation & Venture Council Chair, World Business Chicago

Jeff Shapack
CEO & Founder, Shapack Partners

Michael Fassnacht
President & CEO, World Business Chicago; Chief Marketing Officer, City of Chicago

The Honorable Lori Lightfoot
Mayor, City of Chicago

Samara Hernandez
Founding Partner, Chingona Ventures

Jeff Aronin
Founder, Chairman & CEO, Paragon Biosciences

Maëlle Gavet
CEO, Techstars

John Hudson
President & CEO, Nicor Gas

Garry Cooper
CEO & Co-Founder, Rheaply

Terry Howerton
Founder & CEO, TechNexus Venture Collaborative

Fred Hoch
Founder & General Partner, TechNexus Venture Collaborative

George Khalife
Head, Midwest United States, TSX & TSX Venture Exchange

Thomas Jonas
CEO & Co-Founder, Nature’s Fynd

Boyede Sobitan
CEO & Co-Founder, Oja Express

Perteet Spencer
Co-Founder, Ayo Foods

MODERATORS:

Shayna Harris
Managing Partner & CoFounder, Supply Change Capital

Sonia Sahney Nagar
General Partner, Pritzker Group

Mark Tebbe
Innovation & Venture Council Chair, World Business Chicago

James “Trey” Hart
Managing Director, 50 South Capital

2021 Sponsors

• Google
• J.P. Morgan
• William Blair

LEAD SPONSORS:
• Accenture Open Innovation
• TSX & TSX Venture Exchange
• Silicon Valley Bank