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Key people at Chicago:Blend.
Chicago:Blend is a Chicago, Illinois-based nonprofit organization that advances diversity, equity, and inclusion across the local venture capital and startup ecosystem. The entity publishes industry diversity reports, operates a fellowship program to prepare underrepresented industry professionals for investment roles, and supplies educational resources to investors and their portfolio companies. Through its research initiatives, the organization tracks regional ecosystem metrics, recently reporting that 36.5% of newly established venture-backed companies in the city feature at least one female founder between 2018 and 2023. The nonprofit is financially supported by a broad coalition of foundations and corporations, earned accolades from the National Venture Capital Association, and features leadership from notable industry figures such as Tessa Flippin of Capitalize VC. Chicago:Blend was founded in 2018 by a group of venture capitalists led by Lindsay Knight of Chicago Ventures.
Key people at Chicago:Blend.
Chicago:Blend is a non-profit organization founded in 2018 to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in Chicago's venture capital (VC) and startup ecosystem.[1][2][4] It operates through three core pillars—data, talent, and thought leadership—by publishing annual diversity reports on VC firms and startups, offering DEI resources to investors and companies, and running the Venture Fellowship program to train underrepresented aspiring VCs.[1][2][6] The organization has tracked progress, such as Chicago leading U.S. cities with 36.5% of new venture-backed companies (2018-2023) having at least one woman founder and ranking second for founders of color at 24.4%.[4][6] Supported by a coalition of VCs, foundations, and corporations, Chicago:Blend fosters a more equitable tech landscape without direct investing, instead amplifying underrepresented talent and measuring systemic inequities.[1][2]
Chicago:Blend was founded in 2018 by local venture capitalists frustrated with industry inequities and committed to transforming Chicago's VC ecosystem.[1][2][4] Key early supporters included figures like Jeremy Shure from Grasshopper Bank, who advised informally and nominated the organization for initiatives like Techstars Foundation partnerships.[2] The idea emerged from a collaborative effort among Chicago VCs recognizing that diverse teams drive better outcomes for startups and firms.[3][5] Early focus centered on data collection, with the first diversity surveys launched alongside the Venture Fellowship—a four-month program pairing underrepresented fellows with VC partners like Origin Ventures and Vamos Ventures for deal sourcing and mentorship.[1] This hands-on model quickly gained traction, with 88% of fellows securing new opportunities and 81% landing VC roles.[1]
Chicago:Blend rides the DEI wave in VC, addressing underrepresentation where women and founders of color secure disproportionately less funding despite demographic diversity in cities like Chicago.[4][6] Its timing aligns with post-2020 equity pushes, using data to quantify gaps—e.g., only 14.9% of $2.9B in new VC went to women-led startups—while market forces like talent shortages and ESG investing favor inclusive ecosystems.[1][4] By benchmarking Chicago against peers (outpacing New York, Atlanta in key metrics), it influences the ecosystem through evidence-based advocacy, fellowships that diversify deal flow, and resources that help VCs build inclusive portfolios, ultimately shaping a more representative tech economy.[4][6]
Chicago:Blend's influence will grow as VC diversity data becomes a standard metric for LPs and founders, with expansions in fellowships and national benchmarking amplifying Chicago's edge.[1][4][6] Trends like AI-driven talent scouting and regulatory DEI mandates could accelerate its talent pillar, while sustained VC coalition support ensures scalability.[1][2] Expect deeper integrations with accelerators like Techstars and more granular data on intersectional founders, evolving its role from measurer to ecosystem architect—tying back to its founding mission of equitable VC transformation.[2][4]
