Meet our Cohort 8 VC Fellows!

Learn about our newest VC Fellows here.

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

We’re excited to welcome Cohort 8 of the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship, as 10 new fellows kick off their 16-week journey into venture capital, gaining hands-on experience, building community, and expanding their networks as they prepare to shape the future of the industry.

Each Blend Fellow brings a unique mix of experiences, perspectives, and sector expertise that enrich our ecosystem and push forward our mission of making venture more inclusive.

BUILDING A Growing NETWORK of Diverse VC Leaders

Since launching in 2022 with the support of Chicago’s tech community, the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship has helped participants break into venture capital and grow into a powerful network of diverse, emerging investors. With the addition of Cohort 8, our community now includes more than 80 fellows, and we’re just getting started.

The Cohort 8 applicant pool was one of the most competitive yet. A huge thank-you to our alumni who played a key role in reviewing, interviewing, and selecting candidates, continuing to raise the bar for what this program can offer and achieve.

FOLLOW ALONG AS WE SPOTLIGHT OUR FELLOWS

Starting next Monday, September 15, we’ll be spotlighting each of our Cohort 8 fellows right here on LinkedIn. Follow along as we introduce the talented professionals behind this new cohort and share the bold ideas they’re bringing to the world of venture.

VC INVESTORS…MEET THE FELLOWS IN PERSON ON SEP. 24

We’re partnering with V2:VC to officially welcome Cohort 8 at our upcoming VC Happy Hour on September 24 for an evening of connection and celebration with our fellows, alumni, and the broader venture community. If you are an active VC investor, I hope you can join us. Check out our events page to register.

SHOUTOUT TO OUR VC FIRM HOSTS

VC firms play a key role in helping our Fellows launch their venture careers. By hosting a Fellowship during the cohort, firms provide hands-on experience while supporting the growth of the next generation of investors.

We are grateful to our Cohort 8 hosts

To date, over 40 firms (including 20% from outside Illinois) have hosted Blend Fellows, with several extending full-time offers after the program thanks to the strength of the talent. If you are with a VC firm and in need of more capacity, read here for more or book some time with me so I can walk you through the process. We’ll be recruiting firms for our Spring ‘26 program early in the New Year.

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We can’t wait to see what Cohort 8 accomplishes. Stay tuned for spotlights, updates, and opportunities to engage with this inspiring group.

Thank You to Our Sponsors and Partners

Cohort 8 would not be possible without the support of our financial sponsors and community partners. We’re grateful to the organizations that continue to champion diversity and create opportunities for emerging leaders across Chicago and beyond.