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Desiree Vargas Wrigley is the Chief Innovation Officer at P33 Chicago and Executive Director of TechRise, based in Chicago, Illinois. Previously, she served as the Co-founder and CEO of GiveForward, an early medical crowdfunding platform that facilitated over $200 million in user transactions before its eventual acquisition by GoFundMe. Following this exit, she founded Pearachute, a family activity marketplace that she successfully pitched to investors on the television show Shark Tank. In her current capacity at TechRise, she oversees weekly pitch competitions that deploy millions in non-dilutive capital to early-stage Black and Latino tech founders. Additionally, she operates as the Founder of Josephine Collective, an active angel investing group. Wrigley, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from Yale University, focuses her career on consumer technology, two-sided marketplaces, and building inclusive venture capital ecosystems.
Desiree Vargas Wrigley stands as a prominent figure in the venture capital landscape, serving as the Managing Partner at TechRise by P33. In this pivotal role, she spearheads an initiative dedicated to fueling the growth of Chicago's tech ecosystem by empowering underrepresented founders. TechRise by P33 is committed to identifying, investing in, and scaling early-stage companies led by diverse teams, providing them with crucial capital, mentorship, and strategic resources to thrive. Her leadership ensures that TechRise by P33 plays a vital role in fostering an inclusive and dynamic environment for innovation in the Midwest.
Desiree's investment focus at TechRise by P33 is primarily on high-potential, early-stage startups that are poised for significant market impact. While specific sector mandates can evolve, the core emphasis remains on supporting companies that demonstrate strong leadership, innovative solutions, and a clear path to scalability. This includes a broad range of technology sectors, from B2B SaaS and fintech to consumer platforms and health tech, all within the context of strengthening Chicago's position as a global tech hub. Her strategic vision helps shape the portfolio, ensuring investments align with TechRise's mission to create equitable opportunities and drive economic development.
Before her impactful work at TechRise by P33, Desiree built a distinguished career as a serial entrepreneur, founding and successfully scaling multiple ventures. She is widely recognized as the co-founder of GiveForward, a pioneering crowdfunding platform designed to help individuals raise money for medical expenses. Under her leadership, GiveForward grew into a significant player in the social fundraising space before its acquisition by YouCaring. Following this success, Desiree went on to found Pearachute, a popular marketplace for booking children's activities. Pearachute quickly gained traction, simplifying the lives of parents and activity providers alike, and was later acquired by UrbanSitter.
These entrepreneurial experiences have endowed Desiree with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by startup founders. Her firsthand knowledge of product development, market entry, fundraising, and team building is invaluable to the companies she now supports through TechRise by P33. She brings a founder-first perspective to her investment decisions, offering not just capital but also strategic guidance and operational insights. Desiree Vargas Wrigley's journey from successful founder to influential investor underscores her unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and building a more inclusive future for the tech industry, particularly in her home city of Chicago.
Desiree Vargas Wrigley is the Managing Partner at TechRise by P33, a leading initiative focused on empowering underrepresented founders and strengthening the Chicago tech ecosystem. She is also a successful serial entrepreneur, known for founding GiveForward and Pearachute.
As Managing Partner at TechRise by P33, Desiree Vargas Wrigley invests in high-potential, early-stage startups led by diverse founders. Her focus is on innovative companies across various technology sectors that are poised for significant market impact and contribute to the growth of Chicago's tech scene.
Desiree Vargas Wrigley works as the Managing Partner at TechRise by P33. TechRise by P33 is an initiative based in Chicago, dedicated to fostering innovation and supporting diverse entrepreneurs within the city's vibrant technology community.
