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| Congratulations to all 356 Chicago Innovation Award nominees this year |
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| 2026 Nominee Celebration |
| September 16, 5–7:30 PM |
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Join us on September 16th to celebrate and meet the 356 Chicago Innovation Award nominees in the running for the 25th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. These nominees cut across all industries, from large corporations to startups, for-profit and non-profit.
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20 of this year’s 356 Chicago Innovation Award nominees will be honored as Chicago Innovation Award Winners on November 17th — but on September 16th, we’re convening the entire Chicago Innovation community to meet this year’s incredible collective of nominees.
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| Record-setting night at the 25th Anniversary Chicago Innovation Foundation In-Gala |
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| We celebrated 25 years of educating, connecting, and celebrating all innovators at our 25th Anniversary Chicago Innovation Foundation In-Gala. This year, we were proud to welcome three extraordinary leaders, Chuck Templeton, Diane Swonk, and Tom Kuczmarski, into the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame. Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate this milestone and to everyone who continues to strengthen and shape Chicago’s innovation ecosystem. |
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| 2025 Chicago Innovation Winners to Ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell |
| On Monday, August 31, the 2025 Chicago Innovation Award winners and a special group of Chicago Innovation supporters will ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell in New York City, celebrating the Chicago region’s growing reputation as a hub of innovation. |
| Tune in live at 9:15 a.m. ET / 8:15 a.m. CT to watch short presentations featuring the group, followed by the Bell Ringing at 9:30 a.m. ET / 8:30 a.m. CT. |
| Watch the live stream |
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| Inside the Spark Talk Show: Making Finance Fun (and Worth $1 Billion) with Kristi Ross |
| Luke Tanen, CEO of Chicago Innovation, sits down with fintech trailblazer Kristi Ross to unpack her journey from thinkorswim to Tastytrade and now U3 Coffee. Kristi shares how she navigated risk, why customer feedback is the #1 signal for when to pivot, and the mindset shift from “What can I achieve?” to “How many people can I uplift?” |
| Watch the full episode |
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| Chicago Innovation Fellows Session 2 Recap |
| Chicago Innovation Fellows gathered at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management on August 18th for a deep dive into understanding how intellectual property and branding fuels innovation. After learning from Kellogg Professor James Conley in the morning, our Fellows took part in an interactive panel discussion with branding experts Larry Deutsch, Melissa Ballate and Matt Doubleday, followed by a small group learning session with co-founder of tastytrade and serial entrepreneur Kristi Ross. |
| Learn more about the program |
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| Illinois Student Invention Convention Students Ring the Opening Bell at Cboe |
| Our top 2026 Illinois Student Invention Convention students took over the trading floor at Cboe Global Markets to ring the Opening Bell. Surrounded by their families, ISIC ambassadors, and some of our incredible sponsors, Molex and Thompson Coburn LLP, these young problem-solvers got the ultimate stage to celebrate their hard work. |
| Watch the video |
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| DeVry University Featured in Documentary Series for Advancing AI-Powered Learning and Innovation |
| As AI reshapes the future of work, DeVry University is gaining national recognition for its leadership in preparing students to meet that shift through a feature in the Global Sustainable Trade Initiative documentary series. The segment titled The Skills of Tomorrow spotlights DeVry’s efforts to align its curriculum and learner experience around the realities of today’s workforce and employer expectations, with AI at the center of that shift. |
| Read more |
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| Executives’ Club Events & Exclusive Discounts for the Chicago Innovation Community |
| Driving Connections: A Presidents Cup Reception |
| September 2, 2026 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. | 333 W. Wacker Dr. |
| As the city prepares to welcome the 2026 Presidents Cup, get in the zone at this golf-inspired reception pairing networking, food, drinks and premium raffle prizes with an opportunity to support First Tee Greater Chicago. Use code PCINNOVATION to access the Executives’ Club member rate of $25— a savings of $50. |
| Register now |
| Powering the Next Era of Growth: Building Illinois’ Future Economy |
| September 9, 2026 | 8 - 10 a.m. | 12 E. Ohio St. |
| As evolving tech drives unprecedented energy demand, Illinois’ economic future increasingly depends on the strength of its power grid. Join Gil C. Quiniones, President & CEO of ComEd, and Phil Clement, CEO of World Business Chicago, for a conversation about building a more future-ready energy system. Use code POWERINGINNOVATION to access the Executives’ Club member rate of $150 — a savings of $150. |
| Register now |
| The Business of Being Derrick Rose |
| September 17, 2026 | 4 - 7 p.m. | 2400 S. Michigan Ave. |
| Derrick Rose became an MVP... then embarked on rebuilding his future. In doing so, he transformed adversity and influence into a legacy that extends beyond basketball. Join executives from across Chicago to discover the business of being Derrick Rose. Use code ROSEINNOVATION to access the Executives’ Club member rate of $75 — a savings of $75. |
| Register now |
| Ari Emanuel: Roll the Calls |
| September 23, 2026 | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | 205 E. Randolph St. |
| For decades, Ari Emanuel has shaped Hollywood from behind the scenes — representing major stars, engineering blockbuster deals and redefining the modern entertainment business. In this candid conversation about his memoir, Roll the Calls, Emanuel shares the triumphs, failures, relationships and relentless ambition behind his rise from Chicagoland to becoming one of Hollywood’s most formidable power brokers. Use code ARIINNOVATION to access the Executives’ Club member rate of $75 — a savings of $15. |
| Register now |
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| September 13th, 2023 – Chicago Innovation Award nominees pose at the Lincoln Park Zoo during the 2023 Nominee Celebration (just out of frame, some new-to-the-world lion cubs join the celebration from their award-winning enclosure...). |
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