The TechNexus team recaps a week of Chicago startup connections at TechChicago Week
Chicago’s tech ecosystem came alive last week with the dynamic and inspiring TechChicago Week. As a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship, the city played host to a series of events that not only highlighted its tech prowess, but also fostered collaboration and growth within the community. From groundbreaking product launches to insightful panel discussions, TechChicago Week showcased the best of what our tech scene has to offer. We had the pleasure of hosting and attending some of the most impactful events, capturing the pulse of innovation in real-time. Here’s a glimpse into some standout moments from the week, accompanied by exclusive insights from our team members who were on the ground, soaking up the excitement and sharing their invaluable perspectives.
Taylor Kinsella – Director, Operations – Sunrise Startup Series: Tech Chicago Edition & TeamWorking Rooftop Happy Hour
TeamWorking by TechNexus has long been a key player in cultivating relationships and community, inside its physical walls and beyond. During this year’s TechChicago Week, TeamWorking hosted a founder breakfast in partnership with SVB and Mercato Partners, an investor networking reception with the broader community, as well as a community and alumni rooftop happy hour.
Taylor’s take…
“It’s wild to think about the power behind TechChicago Week! I attended several events this year, it was nice to reconnect with familiar faces and make new meaningful connections. I think for me, the highlight was seeing some community members wrap up the week at the TeamWorking happy hour alongside their significant others and children, it felt like we were winding down the long week with family.”
Andy Annacone – Managing Director – Corporate Innovation Summit
1871 hosted an event on corporate innovation, which convened senior corporate leaders to network and discuss new innovations, lessons learned, and best practices through an interactive format. Key topics covered: Hitting Sustainability Directives with Tech, Tech On the Edge, Unique Tactics for Hiring & Developing Tech Talent, and Backdoors for Innovation.
Andy’s take…
“The increasing pace of technology is making corporate innovation more urgent than ever. But listening to innovation heads from many companies, the biggest hurdle they face is getting their organizations to adopt new solutions. It’s not a technology problem; it’s a change management problem.
Ellie Davis – Sr. Manager, Venture Impact – Chicago VC Summer Soiree
Jump Capital, Lightbank, M25, & Upfront Ventures hosted the growing Chicago tech ecosystem at the vibrant Fulton Market neighborhood for the VC Summer Soiree. Sponsored by Cooley LLP, Insperity, and Customers Bank, the event brought the top Venture Capitalists together for a night of networking and conversation at an exclusive invite-only event.
Ellie’s take…
“It was such a nice evening to be together with other Midwest venture investors. There was such a high caliber of diverse attendees and I was able to make a lot of new connections. I was surprised to meet investors from Salt Lake City to New York, solidifying that Chicago is a booming tech ecosystem that can attract investors and their capital from other markets outside of just the Midwest. Also, HIGHLY recommend Professor Tom’s pizza – so good!”
Kaitlyn Doyle – Vice President, Venture – Capital Summit
TechChicago Capital Summit brought together over 200 investors and founders. It kicked off on Tuesday evening with an intimate fireside chat with Jenny Just, the cofounder and managing partner of PEAK6 Investments. Jenny is also the founder of Poker Power, so the night turned into an amateur poker tournament, with attendees learning the game and drawing parallels from poker betting to venture capital investing and entrepreneurship. Day 2 featured three tracks for early-stage founders, late-stage founders, and investors alike. TechNexus’s own Kaitlyn Doyle spoke on an early-stage panel, educating founders on “Leveraging Different Sources of Capital.”
Kaitlyn’s take…
“Capital Summit gave me an opportunity to take my first trip to Lincoln Yards, and the stunning venue set the scene for the day. The conference was spent catching up with connections old and new, and listening to panels about Chicago’s role in the country’s ever-changing tech ecosystem. I had the privilege of chatting with colleagues from Capitalize VC, Banrion Capital Management, Moderne Ventures, and Founders First Capital Partners about different sources of capital, including investments from corporations.”
Joey Alfieri – Sr. Analyst, Venture – TechChicago Day
Hosted by P33, the main stage included an insightful talk between Dr. Pete Shadbolt, co-founder and chief scientific officer of PsiQuantum, and Dr. Meera Raja, SVP of Deep Tech at P33. PsiQuantum is a Palo Alto-based quantum computing company that will revolutionize the fields of drug discovery, derivatives pricing, code breaking, and other advancements. Dr. Shadbolt spoke on the company’s recent announcement to build a new quantum computing campus on the south side of Chicago and how this can lead to supporting an estimated $20 billion in economic impact over the next 10 years.
Joey’s take…
“This project helps establish Chicago as a core hub in the nascent industry of quantum computing and is a landmark moment for the city, hopefully continuing to attract world class talent, participation from elite research institutions, and collaboration with Fortune 500 corporations. As Dr. Shadbolt said at the event: ‘Chicago’s community around quantum tech and the broader business and civic community is striking, well coordinated, thoughtful, and singularly optimistic on the future.'”
Paige Finney – Intern – TechChicago Week 2024: Intern Social
Over 700 interns were in attendance in at TechChicago Week’s 2023 event, and 2024 was no different. Interns from diverse local tech companies and businesses spanning various industries connected for an evening of networking, learning, and celebration, all within the vibrant backdrop of Chicago’s bustling tech ecosystem.
Paige’s take…
“On my first day at TechNexus, my manager, Maddy Rutter, blocked my calendar for TechChicago Intern Social. I’m so happy I was able to attend and witness the eagerness of so many young professionals looking to connect with the Tech community surrounding them. Meeting interns from other VC firms and various tech companies broadened my view and emphasized the important part that TechNexus plays in the overall ecosystem.”
Whether you’re a student eager to break into the tech world, a startup looking for resources, a corporate leader seeking innovative solutions, or an investor hunting for the next big thing, TechNexus is the place to be. Join us and be part of Chicago’s thriving tech community. Together, we can shape the future of technology.