CHICAGO VENTURE SUMMIT FUTURE OF FOOD RETURNS WITH BOLD FOCUS ON INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY

The third edition of the Summit debuts the Future of Food Waste Forum, presented by Nicor Gas, spotlighting Chicagoland's position as the nation's #1 food manufacturing hub and a global leader in food innovation, talent, and investment.

CHICAGO, Oct. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson launched the return of the Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food, focused on the city's continued investment in high-growth industries.

The Chicago Venture Summit, initially founded by then-Pritzker Group Founder J.B. Pritzker in 2014 and orchestrated by World Business Chicago, has consistently been a magnet for tech and innovation leaders throughout the Midwest and across the country. Today's summit, the third edition dedicated to the future of food, has garnered immense attention and is officially sold out. Over 600 startup CEOs, investors, Fortune 500 executives, and industry leaders are gathered at the iconic 167 N Green Street in the Fulton Market District, a convening that epitomizes the strength of the Chicago region's dynamic and burgeoning food and agtech landscape.

"Chicago's greatest strength has always been its people who are resilient, innovative, and determined to build a stronger future together," said Mayor Johnson. "The sold-out Chicago Venture Summit is proof that Chicago's spirit of collaboration and innovation continues to thrive, and we will keep investing in the ideas and industries that sustain opportunity for every community. Nowhere is that more evident than in Chicagoland's food and beverage manufacturing industry — the largest in the nation, generating $11.8 billion annually and employing more than 72,000 people."

This year's sold-out Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food returns with a robust agenda spotlighting Chicago's dominance as a hub for food manufacturing and innovation, while introducing the first-ever Future-of-Food Waste Forum. Together, these events will highlight transformation across food, agtech, and sustainability.

According to the World Business Chicago Research Center, Chicagoland is the nation's number one food manufacturing hub. Food manufacturing is a key industry for the entire region, with nearly 40% of firms located outside of Cook County. The Chicago Business Bulletin's "Innovation in Chicagoland's Food & Ag Industry," just released by the WBC Research Center, delves into the region's role today and in the future in the region's world-class food and ag sector, examining the current market size, trajectory, the importance of talent and capital, workforce availability, public and private investment trends, and more. (Link to report.) Each of the seven counties that make up the Chicago region has distinct assets that contribute to the region's strengths — from farmlands to transportation networks, as well as financial and tech hubs.

"The Chicago Venture Summit has become a nationally recognized platform — the place to be for entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders who understand that Chicago is the global capital for food," said Phil Clement, President & CEO, World Business Chicago. "From startups to multinationals, from R&D to logistics, the full food and agtech supply chain comes together here. That convening power reflects both the strength of our ecosystem and the momentum that makes Chicago the city with a true 'right to win' in this sector."

"This summit showcases what makes Chicago unique — the scale of our food and beverage industry, the ingenuity of our entrepreneurs, and the steadfast support of our business community, said Charles Smith, Founder & CEO, CS Strategies, Inc., a division of MMA, and vice chair, World Business Chicago. "I want to thank the World Business Chicago board of directors and partners whose leadership, sponsorship, and participation make gatherings like this possible. Together, we are advancing a circular food economy that reduces waste, sparks innovation, and creates opportunity in communities that have historically been left out of growth. The Chicago Venture Summit positions Chicago as a global leader where innovation, sustainability, and industry thrive together."

Featured speakers and keynotes include:

• Brandon Johnson, Mayor, City of Chicago
• Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President
• Wendell Dallas, President & CEO, Nicor Gas
• "Silicon Valley of Sweet" — Opening Keynote with Ferrero R&D leaders
• "The Future of Ag and Nutrition" — Edelman & College of ACES at University of Illinois
• "The Future of The Grand Farm" — Microsoft & The Grand Farm
• "The Future of IoT and Food" — Verizon
• "The Future of Investing" — Cooley & S2G Investments
• "Cleveland Avenue: Today and Tomorrow" — Afternoon Keynote with Cleveland Avenue led by Founder & CEO Don Thompson
• More than a dozen startups featured via startup spotlights and the TechRise Pitch Competition, highlighting emerging founders driving the next wave of food and ag tech innovation.

"Over the years, I've seen the tremendous progress and impact of the Chicago Venture Summit for our local entrepreneurs and investors," said Mark Tebbe, Chair of the Innovation and Venture Council at World Business Chicago. "With another sold-out summit, the Chicago Venture Summit continues to be one of the city's best platforms to showcase our vibrant startup and venture ecosystem."

Inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum by Nicor Gas

For the first time, Nicor Gas has partnered with the Chicago Venture Summit for the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, which will take place on the same day as the summit. Illinois stands at the threshold of a transformative opportunity to develop a circular food waste economy that could generate valuable products, create renewable energy, reduce business costs, attract investment, and foster job creation across multiple sectors, from logistics to clean energy.

The inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, organized by Nicor Gas and World Business Chicago, will serve as a key platform for discussing strategies to capitalize on this potential. Partnering with Nicor Gas, which powers the region's thriving food and agriculture sector, World Business Chicago is proud to support this year's Chicago Venture Summit with the forum, aimed at advancing sustainability, innovation, and economic growth. Bringing together stakeholders from across the food waste value chain—including processing, transportation, energy, and technology—the event will focus on reducing waste, producing renewable energy and valuable byproducts such as fertilizers, and ultimately fostering job creation in Illinois.

"Nicor Gas delivers the energy that fuels our region's robust food and agriculture sector. We're proud to support this year's Chicago Venture Summit with the Future of Food Waste Forum, helping to drive the conversation at the intersection of innovation, sustainability and economic opportunity in Illinois," said Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas and World Business Chicago board member. "We're excited to bring the food waste value chain together – processing, trucking, energy, technology and more – to reimagine how we can reduce waste, produce valuable byproducts like fertilizers and renewable energy, while creating jobs."

The Future of Food Waste Forum 2025 includes:

• Welcome Remarks: Wendell Dallas (Nicor Gas) and Toni Preckwinkle (Cook County Board President)
• Opening Fireside Chat: Nicor Gas and partners on "The Future of Energy & Food"
• Panel Discussion: "Powering the Clean Energy Transition with Food" featuring leaders from Green Era, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, and Rheaply
• Closing Remarks: Meena Beyers, VP of Business & Community Development, Nicor Gas

Closing Reception by Executive Sponsor, Chicago Fire FC

World Business Chicago is proud to announce the Chicago Fire Football Club as the executive sponsor of the official closing reception.

"We're incredibly proud to be part of this year's Chicago Venture Summit, especially as sponsors of the closing ceremony," said Dan Moriarty, Chief Marketing Officer at Chicago Fire FC. "This summit is a celebration of innovation, investment, and the future of Chicago – and that aligns perfectly with the vision of our Club and of our owner Joe Mansueto, who is making a transformative investment in the city through the development of our world-class, downtown stadium."

Presenting Sponsors Powering the Summit & Chicago's Food Innovation Economy

The Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food and the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum are made possible through the generous support of sponsors and partners.

Presenting sponsors include: Cleveland Avenue, Cooley, Edelman, Ferrero, the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Ingredion, Microsoft, Nicor, S2G Investments, Shapack Partners, Tilia Holdings, Verizon

Industry Leaders Share Perspectives on Innovation, Investment, & the Future of Food

"The sold-out Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food underscores the strength and momentum of Chicago's innovation ecosystem," said Joseph Q. McCoy, President of Cleveland Avenue, LLC. "We're excited to join fellow leaders and entrepreneurs to shape the conversation on where the industry is headed, and we invite attendees to join us Tuesday afternoon for Cleveland Avenue Today and Tomorrow, where we'll highlight how we're fueling innovation."

"Cooley is pleased to continue supporting the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, a keystone event focused on innovation in food and agtech in the Midwest ecosystem," said Winston Gu, a partner in Cooley Chicago's Emerging Companies practice. "As long-time partners to founders and technology leaders, we're committed to advancing the future of the industry alongside the entrepreneurs and investors driving progress."

"For 73 years, Chicago has been the heart of Edelman's story — a city that feeds creativity, collaboration, and innovation," added Adelaide Feuer, Edelman US Food & Beverage Lead. "As proud partners of the World Business Chicago's Venture Summit: Future of Food 2025, we're excited to champion the entrepreneurs and brands reimagining how food is grown, made, and shared, from right here in Chicago."

"The world-class talent and creative energy found in Chicago make it the perfect place for our R&D and innovation work," stated Laurent Cremona, Head of Ferrero's North America Innovation Center, Ferrero. "We're looking forward to connecting with the city's vibrant community of food innovators at the Future of Food Summit."

"Chicago has been a hub of food and beverage innovation for more than a century, and Ingredion is proud to have been a part of that story. The Chicago Venture Summit on the Future of Food is a critical catalyst for the next chapter of Chicago's accelerating entrepreneurial growth, which we are excited to support," said Jim Zallie, president and CEO of Ingredion. "As a global ingredient solutions provider, we are excited to co-create with both global food brands and next generation startups to build scalable and sustainable food and beverage solutions that make healthy taste better."

"S2G has been investing in food and agriculture for more than a decade, and we've seen firsthand how Chicago has become one of the most dynamic ecosystems for innovation in this space," commented Sanjeev Krishnan, Managing Partner, S2G Investments. "This event provides a critical bridge between operators and the capital needed to scale solutions that can transform how we eat, farm, and build resilient supply chains. We're proud to have a role in this year's convening and to champion the next generation of food system innovators."

"At Tilia, we're investing in the next generation of food and agriculture companies that are transforming how the world eats and produces," said Margaret M. Mueller, Ph.D., Managing Director, Tilia Holdings. "Tilia's strategy is positioned at the intersection of Food x Health, investing in businesses that help to make the food supply chain safer, healthier and more sustainable. We are fortunate to be part of the Chicago community, which is at the center of this change — home to visionary entrepreneurs, strong industry anchors, and a deep talent base that fuels growth. The Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food shines a light on the innovation and operational excellence that make this region a premier destination for scaling sustainable, high-performing businesses."

"Illinois is uniquely positioned to lead in the future of food. At the College of ACES, we are cultivating a growing ecosystem where scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors collaborate on sustainable food systems, personalized nutrition, and biomanufacturing to create real-world impact," stated Germán Bollero, dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "This sold-out summit is a chance to grow new partnerships that will shape that future."  

"Feeding the world requires bold innovation and powerful connections," noted Steven Shaw, Community Engagement Director at Verizon. "Verizon is thrilled to support the Chicago Venture Summit in bringing together the entrepreneurs and technologies reshaping our food systems. From 5G-enabled precision agriculture to AI-driven supply chains, we're committed to providing the infrastructure and solutions that help food innovators scale their impact."

Additional sponsors include:

Innovation Sponsors: 1871, Clique Studios, Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP), and Illinois Manufacturers' Association, JP Morgan, mHUB

Venture Partners: Barrel Ventures, Bluestein Ventures, Capitalize VC, Listen, Lofty Ventures, Naturally Chicago, Serra Ventures, Supply Change Capital, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, Valor Equity Partners

Innovation Sponsors & Venture Partners Fueling Chicago's Startup & Food Innovation Ecosystem

"Chicago's food and agriculture heritage runs deep, and its future is just as bold,"  stated Betsy Ziegler, CEO, 1871. "1871 is honored to partner with World Business Chicago and our community of innovators to ensure that the next wave of FoodTech breakthroughs is built right here — by local founders, for global impact."

Ted Novak, Partner & Managing Director, Clique Studios, added: "We have been supporters of the Chicago Venture Summit since the start, because what they are doing matters, and what Chicago entrepreneurs bring to the world is worth showcasing and investing in."

"Illinois boasts an innovative food and beverage sector, which represents the largest category of the state's manufacturing industry. Taken together, Illinois manufacturers employ 650,000 workers and are the largest contributor of any industry to the state's Gross Domestic Product, generating more than $580 billion for the state's economy each year," said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. "The Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food is a grand showcase of our state's amazing food ecosystem, fostering collaboration and connectivity that will further inspiration and innovation."

"Chicago's legacy in food and agriculture, paired with its thriving innovation economy, positions the region to lead the reimagining of efficient, healthy food systems," said Haven Allen, mHUB CEO & Co-founder and mHUB Ventures Managing Partner. "As both incubator and investor, mHUB is honored to back the Chicago Venture Summit, a signature platform fueling Chicago's growing startup and investor ecosystem. From supply chains to water management to manufacturing, food systems are where convergence happens — we see tremendous opportunity to drive efficiency, sustainability, and growth across the entire food-tech value chain."

"Chicago is home to countless food companies of all sizes, from small startups to multi-billion conglomerates," commented Nate Cooper, Managing Partner, Barrel Ventures. "It makes sense that the Future of Food summit would be here. Barrel Ventures invests in the future of food- and we couldn't be more excited to partner with WBC to bring together innovators throughout the world of food to drive the future of innovation and growth."

"Listen backs consumer-obsessed entrepreneurs building brands at tipping points—and the Future of Food is a behavior shift we are actively investing against," stated Rick Desai, Investments, Managing Partner, Listen. "Iconic food brands new and old call Chicago home, including our portfolio brands Factor, Fresh Factory, Go Brewing, and Cumin Club. And Chicago and the Midwest are the epicenter of food manufacturing and distribution. We're supporting World Business Chicago and the Chicago Venture Summit because the past, present, and future of food is in Chicago."

"Chicago is such a food town and we're so thankful to be a part of the food & retail tech community here by backing amazing founders at startups such as Science On Call, RetailAware, Zenblen, teaBOT, Quicklly, ClearCOGS, and many others," added Christopher Deutsch, Founder, Lofty Ventures. "Thank you, World Business Chicago for helping us catalyze the local angel community to power our next generation of business leaders."

"We are incredibly grateful to sponsor and attend the Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food event for the last several years," commented Tim Hoerr, CEO of Serra Ventures. "Chicagoland and the great State of Illinois have firmly established themselves as a national hub for agtech and foodtech innovation and venture investment. To be a part of this vibrant community of innovators, investors and entrepreneurs is a great privilege."

"For two decades, TechNexus Venture Collaborative has cultivated better, more impactful relationships between corporations and startups," added Fred Hoch, Co-founder, General Partner, TechNexus Venture Collaborative. "As a foundational builder and long-standing supporter of Chicago's dynamic innovation ecosystem, we're thrilled to partner with World Business Chicago on the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, an event that brings together leading corporations and groundbreaking startups to drive industry reinvention. The future of food, and every industry, relies on these deeper, more strategic relationships, and we're proud to be a catalyst for that vital progress right here in Chicago."

The Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food — led by World Business Chicago with support from partners — is an invite-only gathering of the nation's top founders, investors, and corporate leaders shaping the future of food. With Chicagoland recognized as the #1 food manufacturing hub in the U.S., the sold-out Summit offers media and industry a rare look inside one of the world's most dynamic food and agtech ecosystems. To learn more, visit www.chicagoventuresummit.com or contact info@chicagoventuresummit.com.

ABOUT WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO:
World Business Chicago (WBC) serves a critical role in driving inclusive and equitable economic development throughout the city's 77 neighborhoods, focused on high growth sectors: food production, transportation, distribution, & logistics; manufacturing; healthcare & life sciences, and our local innovation, startup, & venture ecosystem. As the City of Chicago's economic development agency, World Business Chicago leads corporate attraction & retention, workforce & talent, community impact, and promotion of Chicago as a leading global city. Supported by a council of 300+ local leaders, World Business Chicago's portfolio of innovation & venture programs include: the Chicago Venture Summit series, Startup Chicago, and ThinkChicago. Follow World Business Chicago on LinkedIn for news and announcements on corporate relocation and expansion, industry and ecosystem growth, U.S. and world rankings, and economic development.

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