DESIREE VARGAS WRIGLEY

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.