Chicago Venture Summit

What Chicago Venture Summit does

Chicago Venture Summit is a branded annual conference and curated venture-deal-flow platform focused on the U.S. Midwest food, beverage, agtech, and CPG innovation ecosystem. It is organized and hosted by World Business Chicago, the city's public-private economic development agency, with the Chicago Mayor's office serving as civic endorser. The flagship event, the "Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food," is a one-day invite-only summit that convenes early-stage food startups, venture capital and growth equity firms, corporate strategics, and operating founders for curated programming, including the TechRise Pitch Competition (a $25,000 prize pitch contest run with TechRise by P33) and, as of October 2025, the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum co-hosted with Nicor Gas.

The company operates a small core organization (1-10 employees) that also runs the year-round Startup Chicago showcase series spanning verticals such as Web 3, DeepTech, Life Sciences, Black Founders, Latinx Founders, LGBTQIA+ Founders, Clean Tech, Hard Tech, and AI Startups. The underlying tech stack is limited to a marketing website (built by Clique Studios) and the curated Startup Portfolio web database of fundraising startups. There is no proprietary AI/ML platform, no API surface, and no disclosed software product; the core asset is the convening power of the in-person event and the curated matches between founders and investors.

Chicago Venture Summit generates revenue through event sponsorship across tiered categories — Presenting Sponsors (Microsoft, Ferrero, Cleveland Avenue, Edelman, Verizon, Nicor Gas, Cooley, S2G Investments, Tilia Holdings, Shapack, Aces, Ingredion), Innovation Sponsors (1871, mHUB, JP Morgan, Clique, IMA, GCEP), Venture Partners (Barrel, Bluestein, Serra, Supply Change, Capitalize, Listen, Lofty, Naturally Chicago, TechNexus, Valor), and Event Partners (167 Events, Urban Canopy), plus limited invite-only attendee registration. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and the entity has no independent venture or PE funding; commercial risk is concentrated in renewal of presenting-tier sponsorships year over year.

Name

Chicago Venture Summit

Legal name

Organization Chicago Venture Summit

Website

https://chicagoventuresummit.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Chicago Venture Summit is a curated, invite-only conference organized by World Business Chicago, convening Midwest food, beverage, agtech, and CPG startups with venture capital firms and corporate strategics for deal flow, pitch competition, and networking.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Venture Capital Conferences

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Executive Leadership Summits (C-Suite, Board, Strategy Offsites) (THAHAMAA), Corporate Meeting & Conference Planning (Internal/External) (THAHACAB)

Keywords

• Venture capital conference
• Food innovation summit
• Startup showcase events
• Agtech investor networking
• Pitch competition events

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Sponsorship Revenue: The summit generates revenue through multiple sponsorship tiers including Presenting Sponsors, Innovation Sponsors, Venture Sponsors, and Event Partners. Sponsors receive visibility through logo placement, speaking opportunities, and access to the curated network of startups, investors, and corporate leaders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chicago Venture Summit organizes the annual "Future of Food" conference, a highly curated, invite-only event hosted by World Business Chicago that brings together food, beverage, agtech, and CPG startups with venture capital firms, corporate strategics, and influential founders. The summit includes thematic startup showcases, a pitch competition, and supporting forums designed to facilitate fundraising, deal sourcing, and strategic partnerships within the Chicago food innovation ecosystem.

Product overview

Chicago Venture Summit operates as an event and platform company organizing the annual Future of Food conference—a premier food innovation and venture capital summit. The core offering includes the Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food event featuring curated startup showcases, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Supporting products include the Startup Portfolio (a curated database of fundraising startups), the TechRise Pitch Competition (with $25,000 prize), and the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum. The Startup Chicago program also runs thematic showcase events throughout the year spanning sectors from Web 3 and DeepTech to Life Sciences and AI Startups, connecting founders with investors and corporate partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Future of Food: The premier food innovation and venture capital conference track focusing on food, beverage, agtech, and CPG startups.
• Future of Food Waste Forum
• Startup Chicago

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• World Business ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2025The summit is organized by World Business Chicago, the city's economic development agency, in partnership with leading civic, industry, and investment organizations. Phil Clement serves as President & CEO of World Business Chicago.
• Nicor GasflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 October 2025Presenting Sponsor of the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, co-hosted with World Business Chicago. Nicor Gas CEO Wendell Dallas moderates the opening keynote fireside chat. Vice President Meena Beyers provides closing remarks.
• FerreroflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Ferrero is innovating the future of confection with their new Chicago R&D lab. Senior R&D leaders including VP for R&D Laurent Cremona participate in the morning keynote panel 'Silicon Valley of Sweet'.
• MicrosoftflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Microsoft TechSpark Engagement represented by Taya Spelhaug (Director of Fargo Site & TechSpark Engagement) on the Future of the Grand Farm panel.
• Cleveland AvenueflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Chicago-based investment firm co-founded by Don Thompson. Don Thompson participates in afternoon keynote fireside chat about Cleveland Avenue's investment strategy.
• EdelmanflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Managing Director Adelaide Feuer moderates the Future of Ag and Nutrition panel and provides opening/closing panel remarks.
• VerizonflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Senior Director Jim Palmer and Community Engagement Director Steven Shaw lead the Future of Tech in Food panel on IoT and wireless connectivity.
• 1871coreGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation Sponsor. Chicago's tech hub and innovation center, partner for Web 3 Founders Showcase and AI Startups Showcase with 1871's AI Innovation Lab.
• mHUBcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInnovation Sponsor. Chicago's hard tech and manufacturing innovation hub, partner for Black Founders Showcase and Hard Tech Showcase.
• TechRise by P33flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOrganizer of TechRise Pitch Competition during lunch. Aleena Agrawal moderates fireside chat. $25,000 prize awarded to competition winner.
• Chicago Fire FCflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Sponsor of Official Closing Reception. Chief Ticketing Officer Ted Glick provides Presenting Sponsor & Partner Remarks. Club is developing world-class downtown stadium.
• Black VCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Black Founders Showcase, emphasizing importance of representation and support for Black entrepreneurs in the tech ecosystem.
• Chingona VenturescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Latinx Founders Showcase, shining light on vibrant and dynamic Latinx entrepreneurial community.
• StartOutcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for LGBTQIA+ Founders Showcase celebrating creativity and resilience of LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs.
• Women in Bio - ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Life Sciences Showcase highlighting startups in healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical advancements.
• City of ChicagoflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMayor Brandon Johnson announces the return of Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food. Mayor provides opening remarks at the summit.
• Cook CountyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle provides welcome remarks at the Future of Food Waste Forum.
• Chain Reaction InnovationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for DeepTech Showcase featuring startups pushing boundaries of engineering, material science, and AI.
• Chicago InnovationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Clean Tech Founders Showcase highlighting environmentally friendly solutions.
• TechNexuscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Hard Tech Showcase showcasing startups in robotics, manufacturing, and IoT.
• Greater Chicago Food DepositorycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO Kate Maehr participates in fireside chat during TechRise Pitch Competition lunch session.
• Grow Greater EnglewoodcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerL. Anton Seals Jr participates in fireside chat during TechRise Pitch Competition lunch session.
• Grand FarmcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStartup & Investor Program Manager John Mann participates in Future of the Grand Farm panel.
• Green EracoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-Founder Jason Feldman participates in opening keynote fireside chat at Future of Food Waste Forum.
• RheaplycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCEO Garry Cooper moderates closing panel at Future of Food Waste Forum on food waste solutions.
• DivertcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSenior Manager Holly Yanai participates in closing panel at Future of Food Waste Forum.
• MycocyclecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder & Board Member Joanne Rodriguez participates in closing panel at Future of Food Waste Forum.
• 3 Rivers EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerChief Capital Officer Jorge Pelaez participates in closing panel at Future of Food Waste Forum.
• Clique StudiosminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWebsite development partner credited for building the Chicago Venture Summit website.
• Naturally ChicagocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerManaging Director Jim Slama introduces Prima startup spotlight.
• Urban CanopycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent Partner for the Chicago Venture Summit.
• 167 EventscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent Partner for the Chicago Venture Summit at venue 167 N Green St.
• Tilia HoldingsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor. Chief Growth Officer & Managing Director Margaret Mueller moderates Cleveland Avenue keynote fireside chat.
• ShapackflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Chicago Venture Summit.
• AcesflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Chicago Venture Summit.
• IngredionflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor of the Chicago Venture Summit.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Web Summit: Global tech conference drawing tens of thousands of founders, investors, and corporate leaders. Comparable as a high-visibility, sponsor-heavy summit platform connecting startups to capital and strategic partners, though much broader in scope.
• TechCrunch Disrupt: Flagship startup-investor conference featuring curated Startup Battlefield pitch competitions. Comparable as a high-profile, sponsor-rich tech conference with startup-investor matchmaking, though broader than food-specific.
• SXSW: Large-scale innovation event with FoodTrack and CPG programming. Comparable as a marquee conference that brings startups, investors, and corporate brands together around emerging consumer trends including food innovation.

Emerging players

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global startup accelerator and innovation platform with dedicated Food & Agtech, Brand & Retail, and Sustainability programs. Comparable as a startup-corporate matchmaking platform with curated cohorts and demo days.
• FoodHack: Global food-tech community and event series connecting founders, investors, and corporates in the food innovation space. Comparable as a curated food-tech networking platform targeting the same early-stage startup-investor audience.

Direct peers

• Future Food-Tech: A leading global summit series focused on food innovation, bringing together startups, investors, and major CPG/ingredient companies. Closely comparable to Chicago Venture Summit's Future of Food in audience, sponsor profile, and matchmaking structure.
• FoodBytes! by Rabobank: Rabobank's food and agtech startup competition and networking platform. Directly comparable as it curates early-stage food/agtech startups, connects them to corporate strategics and investors, and runs pitch competitions — the exact dual mandate Chicago Venture Summit serves for the Chicago ecosystem.
• World AgriTech Innovation Summit: International agtech summit convening startups, growers, and investors around agricultural innovation. Comparable as a curated food/agtech deal-flow and corporate-partnership event with similar VC and corporate strategic attendees.
• Sustainable Brands: Conference and community convening brands, startups, and investors around sustainability and ESG — including food waste, packaging, and supply chain. Comparable to the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum launched by Chicago Venture Summit.

Regional players

• Naturally Chicago: Chicago-based industry organization for natural and organic food brands, which is itself a partner of Chicago Venture Summit. Comparable as a regional food innovation community running its own programming and serving overlapping CPG/food startup audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/world-business-chicago
• Xx.com/chicagovcsummit
• Facebookfacebook.com/chiventuresummit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Venture Summit