Meet Cohort 9: The Next Generation of VC Leaders

 
 

By: Salvador Dueñas, Senior Director of Programs, Chicago:Blend

We are thrilled to introduce you to the newest members of the Chicago:Blend family: Cohort 9 of the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship!

The energy in the room was electric yesterday as we gathered at TeamWorking by TechNexus for our official orientation and kickoff. There is nothing quite like the first day of school—especially when that "school" involves diving headfirst into the world of venture capital. Seeing this group come together for their first session was the perfect reminder of why we do this work: to build a more inclusive, vibrant, and intentional tech community in Chicago.

 
 

The Cohort 9 Vibe: A Blend of Brains and Heart

Since the start, our Venture Fellowship has been about building a bridge between underrepresented talent and the investment community. This season, we found a group of 10 individuals who are ready to cross that bridge with a unique "blend" of technical expertise and infectious enthusiasm:

  • The "Deep Tech" Docs: We have a serious concentration of scientific firepower this season. With three Ph.D. candidates from Northwestern, Rush University, and the University of Chicago, the cohort is well-equipped to demystify the most complex biotechnologies and life science innovations.

  • Sustainability & Climate Stewards: From water resilience and circular economies to global energy transitions, several of our Fellows are dedicated to building a more sustainable future. They are proving that the next generation of category-defining companies will likely be the ones helping our planet thrive.

  • Corporate Catalysts: We’ve drawn talent from some of the most respected names in consulting and healthcare operations. These fellows bring the "GSD" (Get Stuff Done) attitude required to help early-stage founders scale their operations and navigate complex markets.

  • The "Joy" Factor: Outside of their professional lives, this group is a blast. Whether it's figure skating, playing pickleball, or hosting "documentary nights" for law students, Cohort 9 reminds us that venture is ultimately a people business. We have sports fans, foodies, and community organizers who bring a sense of inclusion and fun to every room they enter.


Meet the Cohort 9 Fellows

We are proud to introduce the 10 individuals who make up Cohort 9:

 
 

A Community Effort

Growth doesn't happen in a vacuum. We are deeply grateful to the organizations that share our vision for a more inclusive venture landscape. Their support allows us to provide this transformative experience at no cost to our Fellows.

Thank you to our Financial Supporters for making this Fellowship possible: CDW, Coleman Foundation, IVCA Foundation, Origin Ventures, Richard L. Duchossois Foundation, and TAWANI Foundation.

And shoutout to our Ecosystem Partners for providing our Fellows with co-working space and member resources during their time with us: 1871, 2112, MATTER, mHUB, TeamWorking by TechNexus, and World Business Chicago.

 
 

We can't wait for you to see what this group accomplishes. Follow us on LinkedIn over the coming weeks as we shine a spotlight on each individual Fellow and their journey into the world of venture capital!

Welcome, Cohort 9—let’s get to work!

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About Chicago:Blend

Chicago:Blend is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to create a more inclusive venture capital and entrepreneurial ecosystem. The organization publishes data and insights on the region’s VC workforce, supports emerging talent through its Venture Fellowship program, and collaborates with investors to strengthen Chicago’s startup community. Chicago:Blend is supported by a broad coalition of venture firms, philanthropic foundations, corporations, and individual donors. chicagoblend.org

Chicago:Blend