​Blend:Talks is Chicago:Blend’s flagship event, where graduates of our VC Fellowship program take the stage to share bold, thought-provoking insights on the latest trends impacting venture capital.

​Join us on December 11 as our VC Fellows present their research and perspectives to a room full of investors and industry leaders, marking the exciting culmination of their journey. This is a unique opportunity to connect, learn and celebrate the rising stars shaping the future of VC.

​See videos from our last Blend:Talks event here.

​Since 2022, the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship has helped more than 60 professionals launch their careers in VC, with 80% of job-seeking alums securing a role within six months of completing the fellowship. The program is supported by local community partners including CDW, TAWANI Foundation, BLCK VC, World Business Chicago, TeamWorking by TechNexus, 1871, mHUB, MATTER, VITALIZE Angels and Origin Ventures. This live Blend:Talks event marks the capstone to our Fall '24 Cohort.

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​This event is made possible through generous support from CDW, TAWANI Foundation, The Coleman Foundation, BLCK VC and Origin Ventures.

​Event proceeds benefit Chicago:Blend, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in Chicago's venture capital and startup community. For information about sponsoring Blend:Talks, contact joey@chicagoblend.org.

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​​AGENDA

​3:00p - Blend:Talks by Chicago:Blend VC Fellows

• ​Unleashing Potential: AI as the Catalyst for Health Equity in Life Sciences, Obi Okereke

• ​Value Based Care & Venture, Isabel Rouse

• ​Feeding the Future: How food tech is transforming small business challenges, Shalina Clarke

• ​The Hidden Rules of Fundraising, Gaby Gonzalez

• ​Aging Well: The Unseen Investment Opportunity in the Global Elder Care Market, Brian Lung

• ​Reflecting on Key Lessons as a Venture-backed Founder, Ashton Keys

• ​Analyzing Venture Studios as a Sourcing Opportunity, Santiago Navarro

• ​Exploring the Intersect of Biotech and Sustainability in the Midwest and Beyond, Cristina Vaca

• ​Long COVID: Investing in the Bleeding Edge of Healthcare, Ibrahim Rashid

​​5:00p - Cocktail Reception

7:00p - Event Ends

​This event is not live streamed.