MAYOR BRANDON JOHNSON & WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF THE CHICAGO VENTURE SUMMIT FUTURE OF FOOD, FEATURING THE INAUGURAL FUTURE OF FOOD WASTE FORUM WITH NICOR GAS

The third edition of Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food returns to the iconic 167 Green Street in the city's Fulton Market District neighborhood on October 14, 2025

CHICAGO, July 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mayor Brandon Johnson and World Business Chicago announce the return of the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, the city's flagship food innovation and venture capital convening, taking place on October 14, 2025. Now in its fourteenth year, this two-day experience continues to elevate Chicagoland's position as a national hub for food tech, ag innovation, and entrepreneurial investment.

The 2025 Chicago Future of Food Summit will be held at 167 North Green Street by World Business Chicago board member, Shapack Partners, in Chicago's Fulton Market District, enjoying the participation of over 500 carefully curated guests, including founders, investors, corporate executives, and public sector leaders.

"Chicago's strength lies in its vibrant and diverse community of startup entrepreneurs, and events like the Chicago Venture Summit are essential in furthering their growth and connecting them to the capital and resources they need to succeed," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "The Future of Food Summit is a testament to our city's leadership in food innovation, providing a platform to showcase the next generation of food tech and agri-businesses. By bringing together investors, innovators, and thought leaders, we are not only strengthening our local economy but reinforcing Chicago's position as a global hub for food innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment."

Key Highlights from the 2025 Chicago Future of Food:

• 100+ startups showcasing the region's most promising companies across diverse food sectors
• 500+ attendees, including VCs, corporate innovation teams, and food tech leaders
• Sector spotlights on AgTech, CPG, Food Science, Restaurant Tech, Health & Wellness, and more
• Partnership opportunities for VCs, corporates, and universities to collaborate and innovate
• No-cost attendance for participating entrepreneurs to ensure accessibility and inclusion 

"The Chicago Venture Summit is the only event of its kind in the Midwest, bringing together corporate leaders, startups, private equity, and venture capital to drive innovation and growth," said Phil Clement, President & CEO, World Business Chicago. "As the leading U.S. metro for food production and innovation, Chicago is uniquely positioned to lead in this space. A special thank you to all the sponsors for their support—this summit would not be possible without your commitment. By bringing these leaders together, we are creating opportunities for businesses of all sizes to thrive, build valuable connections, and accelerate the future of food innovation."

"The return of the Chicago Venture Summit this October continues our commitment to investing in Chicago entrepreneurs. Supporting local founders isn't charity; it's smart business - these entrepreneurs are developing the kinds of transformative technologies that companies need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world," said Mark Tebbe, World Business Chicago board member and Chair of the WBC Innovation and Venture Council. "If you want to see where the future of our food industry is headed, the Chicago Venture Summit is the ideal location for you."

The lead-up to the Chicago Venture Summit kicks off on Monday, October 13, with a series of partner-hosted events that set the stage for the main summit. The day will culminate in a VIP reception, building excitement and anticipation for the summit's opening on Tuesday, October 14. The full-day program will feature thought leadership sessions, startup pitches, and networking opportunities, culminating in a closing reception to celebrate the region's vibrant food innovation community.

Launch of the Inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, in Partnership with Nicor Gas

In addition to the Chicago Venture Summit, World Business Chicago is proud to partner with Nicor Gas on the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, to be held in conjunction with the Chicago Venture Summit. Illinois has the opportunity to benefit from a circular food waste economy that can produce valuable products, generate renewable energy, cut business costs, attract capital investment, and create good jobs in various sectors, from trucking to clean energy. This addresses unique national challenges, where food waste is estimated at between 30 to 40 percent of the food supply chain in the United States. The inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum, organized by Nicor Gas and World Business Chicago, will serve as a platform to discuss how Illinois' food waste economy can be transformed.

"I'm excited to partner with WBC board member company, Nicor Gas, on the inaugural Future of Food Waste Forum. This forum is a vital step in advancing a circular food waste economy that drives renewable energy, creates jobs, and sparks innovation," said Charles Smith, Vice Chair, World Business Chicago. "We are committed to fostering an inclusive economy that opens doors for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in both established industries and emerging sectors. The forum will serve as a key platform to transform Illinois' food waste economy, reduce waste, and promote sustainable business practices."

"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."

Remarks from Chicago Venture Summit 2025 Sponsors & Strategic Partners

The Chicago Venture Summit, presented by World Business Chicago, has become a key driver of national attention and out-of-state capital for local founders. Through its continuous dedication to founder-focused programming, World Business Chicago is creating pathways for diverse entrepreneurs to gain opportunity and visibility across the region. The summit is made possible through the support of our inaugural presenting sponsors: Cleveland Avenue, Edelman, Ferrero, Shapack Partners, Tilia Holdings, Verizon, and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign:

"Cleveland Avenue is proud to support World Business Chicago and the Chicago Venture Summit as a platform for bold ideas and inclusive innovation," said Don Thompson, CEO & Founder of Cleveland Avenue, LLC and board member of World Business Chicago. "At the intersection of opportunity, perspective, and insights, we invest in entrepreneurs who are not only reshaping the food and beverage landscape but also driving meaningful impact across Chicagoland. The momentum in our city's startup ecosystem is undeniable and we're committed to helping that momentum continue to grow."

"Chicago drives innovation and growth for Ferrero in North America. The city serves as the hub of our Innovation Center and R&D Labs and cookies business, and the broader Chicagoland area is home to our 110th Street plant and our Franklin Park facility where we make Butterfinger, Baby Ruth and soon Nutella Peanut," said Michael Lindsey, President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America. "The food industry talent here is world-class, and we're excited to once again support this community at the Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food."

"Tilia Holdings is at the center of food innovation in Chicago, investing in companies that are working to make the food supply chain safer, more nutritious, and more sustainable," said Margaret Mueller, Managing Director and Chief Growth Officer for Tilia Holdings. "We are a proud board member of World Business Chicago and are honored to be part of this world-class summit showcasing innovation across the food system."

"Feeding the world requires bold innovation and powerful connections, says 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."

"Chicago is a top destination for food and beverage innovation, and we've been leading the way at Edelman for over 70 years," said Alison Borgmeyer, MS, RD, Head of Edelman Chicago and Chair, U.S. Food & Beverage. "We've got an unmatched blend of global talent and a growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs reimagining what, how, and why we eat to drive meaningful, systemic change in our food system."

"We're proud to join Edelman and World Business Chicago in championing the Future of Food at this year's Chicago Venture Summit. As a part of Illinois' land-grant university, the College of ACES is committed to advancing food innovation that is ethical, sustainable, and inclusive," said Germán Bollero, Dean and Professor of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "This partnership reflects our shared belief in bold ideas and collaborative solutions that support entrepreneurs, strengthen communities, and build a workforce ready to lead in a rapidly evolving food economy."

World Business Chicago is also proud to announce the support of 1871, Clique Studios, and the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership (GCEP) as Innovation Sponsors. Bluestein Ventures, Capitalize VC, Barrel Ventures, Lofty Ventures, and Supply Change Capital are official Venture Partners. The Chicago Venture Summit Future of Food is part of World Business Chicago's broader innovation and venture strategy, which also includes programs such as Startup Chicago, Enterprise Chicago, ThinkChicago, and previous Chicago Venture Summits, including the Future of Climate Tech and Future of Logistics.

To learn more about attending, supporting, or partnering with the 2025 Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Food, visit www.chicagoventuresummit.com or contact [email protected]. Registration for this invite-only investor and startup conference will open in the coming weeks.

ABOUT:
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 includes: 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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