The 3rd Annual ReDo Summit by Chicago:Blend took place on July 9, 2025, bringing together more than 200 leaders, founders, and changemakers to celebrate and elevate the role of women in business and entrepreneurship.

Chicago:Blend has named Marina Rostein to its board of directors. A former participant in the organization’s Venture Fellowship program for aspiring VCs, Rostein’s appointment marks a full-circle moment for the organization and reflects Chicago:Blend’s long-term commitment to expanding access and opportunity in the innovation economy.

We are proud to introduce the exceptional individuals who make up our inaugural Alumni Board. Each member is a graduate of the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship program, bringing unique expertise, a passion for inclusion, and a deep commitment to advancing the mission of Chicago:Blend.

At Chicago:Blend, we’re bidding farewell to winter and getting a head start on spring by introducing the 10 newest members of our Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship. These talented individuals are ready to dive deep into the world of venture capital, expand their networks, and gain hands-on experience over the next four months.

Chicago:Blend, a nonprofit advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the region's venture capital ecosystem, is proud to announce a $35,000 grant from TAWANI Foundation.

Chicago:Blend, a non-profit working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the region’s venture capital and startup community, has named gender equity advocate Elle Ramel and tech founder and startup investor Samir Mirza to its board of directors.

Chicago:Blend, a non-profit organization on a mission to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Chicago’s venture capital and startup community, announced today the findings of its 2023 Founder Diversity Report.

In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (November 19), Chicago:Blend is featuring two local tech founders who we met through GET Cities Chicago’s Seed Founder Cohort. For our second spotlight, we’re introducing Corinne Vargas, CEO and Founder of SMARTCharts, a patient-first, clinician-driven productivity app serving care teams in speech, occupational and physical therapy.

In honor of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (November 19), Chicago:Blend is featuring two local tech founders who we met through GET Cities Chicago’s Seed Founder Cohort. First up is Luisa Castellanos, the Co-Founder and COO of Science On Call, which provides 24/7 tech support for restaurants.

To date, 88% of Fellows seeking new opportunities secured a new opportunity (including business school), and 81% of Fellows seeking a VC role have landed a job (or offer) in VC.

Fearless Fund was prohibited from closing its application window on September 30 by an appeals court following a lawsuit from The American Alliance for Equal Rights. Joey Mak, CEO of Chicago:Blend, a nonprofit working to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the Chicago region's venture capital industry, joins Caroline Hyde on "Bloomberg Technology." (Source: Bloomberg)

Joey Mak, CEO of Chicago:Blend, said the Fearless Fund lawsuit was just the latest in a growing backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“During the same time as our class, Sam was also involved with the Chicago:Blend venture fellowship, where he connected with venture capitalists, including members of my firm, Impact Engine.”

"What that's telling us is that more people are launching their own funds in a way that is different, in a way that is more inclusive, that is bringing more underrepresented folks off the sidelines," Chicago:Blend CEO Joey Mak told Chicago Inno.

The non-profit organization Chicago:Blend today released findings from their 2022 VC Diversity Report, which measures demographic trends among employees at Chicago-area venture capital firms. The data shows that despite notable gains in the share of women, Black and Asian professionals working at local VC firms from 2021-22, Chicago continues to fall short in key areas when compared to national rates. 

Among the pilot programs that will get new funding is the Chicago Venture Fellows led by Chicago:Blend. Backed by Chicago:Blend and Melinda Gates' GET Cities, Chicago Venture Fellows launched in 2021 as a way to train aspiring venture capitalists from underrepresented backgrounds.

The other pilot programs receiving funding include Chicago Venture Fellows (Chicago:Blend), TechRise and TechChicago (P33), Travel Funding and Entrepreneur Exchange (World Business Chicago), and Venture Engine Executive Founders Series (Illinois Science and Technology Coalition).

Hear from Maddy Rudder of TechNexus and Rachel Mackey of OCA Ventures about the launch of V2:VC, a peer community for rising VCs in Chicago