Tell us about Chicago:Blend. What is the organization's overall mission?
From Executive Director, Joey Mak:
Chicago:Blend is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2018 by local venture capitalists who were deeply concerned about the lack of diversity in venture capital. Today, our mission is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the city's startup and venture industry. We publish diversity data about Chicago's VC workforce, help underrepresented talent break into venture, and provide DEI resources to VC firms and the companies they back
Most of the collaborators at TeamWorking are startups - we love that you're a non-profit partner. Tell us how Chicago:Blend has found a home in our community.
After a year of rapid growth for Chicago:Blend from 2021-22, it became clear that we needed more flexible space, better amenities, and new strategic partners in order to execute on our mission. TeamWorking by TechNexus was an obvious choice for us from the start. TW's focus on building an inclusive environment, its central location, and the presence of VC firms and high-growth startups here were big motivating factors for us. We were also heartened by the fact that other equity-focused community organizations like GET Cities and Gray Matter Experience are also based here. Although we are an atypical member in the sense that we're not a tech startup, the stakeholders we serve (e.g., founders, investors, and corporates) are all under one roof at TW. We wanted to be a part of that, and since joining this community, the benefits have far exceeded our expectations.
How does Chicago:Blend currently collaborate with TeamWorking?
Aside from physical space, we have a deep programmatic partnership with TeamWorking. Through our four-month Chicago Venture Fellows program, of which TW is a program partner, we provide small cohorts of underrepresented, aspiring VCs with the knowledge, networks and experience needed to land a role in venture. As part of the program, fellows are provided with complimentary access to TW, so it's common to see some Chicago:Blend VC fellows taking meetings, attending events, or simply working out of the TW space each week. We have also had people from the TW and TechNexus teams come speak to our fellows (including Terry Howerton and Fred Hoch) and other investment professionals from TechNexus have even mentored some of our fellows one-on-one, including Cristin Pacifico and Kaitlyn Doyle. The program is made possible with generous support from GET Cities Chicago, which is also based here at TW. We have also hosted workshops, events (including an LGBTQ+ Pride event last June) and VC "meet and greets" in the space. These are just some of the ways that we have leveraged our partnership and we look forward to building on this foundation in 2023.
What are a some things you're looking forward to in the coming year?
We're excited to be partnering with TeamWorking by TechNexus and others on hosting more events this year to bring investors and underrepresented founders together around relevant content (stay tuned!). We are also doubling down on our Chicago Venture Fellows program and beginning to implement some alumni program for participants from previous cohorts who still want to be engaged with the Chicago:Blend community. Finally, we are considering new programming opportunities as part of our broader strategic vision, which we seek to launch later in the year.
With so much uncertainty within the tech industry and the economy more broadly, are you concerned about the potential impact on Chicago:Blend or the city's VC community more broadly?
Although it's been a hard few months for tech, we at Chicago:Blend remain bullish on the industry and on Chicago as a whole. Chicago has a rich history of launching transformative companies, often during economically uncertain times, and I don't think this moment is any different. Despite what may be happening with check sizes, funding rounds and valuations, great entrepreneurs will continue to build great companies, and great investors will continue to invest in them. Our goal at Chicago:Blend is to ensure that this happens in a way that is inclusive while enabling the very best founders, regardless of background or circumstances, are rising to the top.
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