Registration & Networking Breakfast

Opening Remarks

Phil Clement - President & CEO, World Business Chicago

Charles Smith - Vice Chair, World Business Chicago

The Honorable Brandon Johnson - Mayor, City of Chicago

Silicon Valley of Sweet

MORNING KEYNOTE PANEL

Ferrero is innovating the future of confection with their new Chicago research and development lab. Learn more from their senior R&D leaders on their unique journey with their iconic brands in their fast-growing North American business

Agata Spitalsky - Project Team Lead, R&D Labs, Ferrero

Effie Nestrud - Lab Lead, Cookies, Chocolate & Fannie May, Ferrero

Laurent Cremona - Vice President for R&D, Ferrero Innovation Center

Katie Whalen - Agri & Biotech Science Manager, Ferrero

Moderated by: Gerald Kunde, SVP of Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications, Ferrero

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #1

Francisco Martin-Rayo - CEO & Founder, Helios

Introduced by: Shayna Harris - Managing Partner, Supply Change Capital 

Panel: The Future of How We Communicate About Food

Brett Lutz - Vice President for Global Communications, ADM

Brian Jacobson - Associate Director for Strategic Operations, UIUC

Michael Miller - Professor for Food Science & Human Nutrition 

Moderated by: Adelaide Feuer - Managing Director, Edelman

Remarks by Germán Bollero - Dean, University of Illinois, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #2

Charles Smith - CEO & Founder, Imio

Introduced by: Drew Beard - Associate, Serra Ventures

MORNING COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #3

Simran Pabla - Head of Product & CoFounder, Rivet

Introduced by: Tessa Flippin - Managing Partner, Capitalize VC

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #4

Andy Freivogel - CEO & CoFounder, Science on Cal

Introduced by: Chris Deutsch - Founder, Lofty Ventures

Panel: Future of the Grand Farm

Taya Spelhaug - Director of Fargo Site & TechSpark

John Mann - Startup & Investor Program Manager, Grand Farm

Joseph Swift - CSO & CoFounder, Crop Diagnostix

Moderated by: Nisaini Rexach - Community Engagement Lead, Microsoft

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #5

Annie Nasatir - CoFounder & Chief Banana Bread Officer, GoNanas

Introduced by: Nathan Cooper - Managing Partner & Founder, Barrel Ventures

Panel: Future of Ingredients

TBA

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #6

TBA

Introduced by: JP Morgan

LUNCH, with TECHRISE PITCH COMPETITION

TechRise Pitch Competition: Main Stage, 17th floor

Lunch Venue: Oakville Grill & Cellar, 163 N Green St

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #7

Dominick DeLegge - CEO, Prima

Introduced by: Jim Slama - Managing Director, Naturally Chicago

Cleveland Avenue Today and Tomorrow

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT

Cleveland Avenue, LLC, is a Chicago-based investment firm co-founded in 2015 by Don Thompson with his wife and business partner, Liz Thompson. Cleveland Avenue specializes in investing in lifestyle consumer brands and high-growth companies that are transforming large, dynamic markets. Learn more about how the firm has become a catalyst for innovation, value creation, and inclusive economic growth.

Don Thompson - CEO & Founder, Cleveland Avenue

Moderated by: Margaret Mueller - Chief Growth Officer & Managing Director Tilia Holdings

SPOTLIGHT #8

Farah Jesani - CMO, The Cumin Club

Introduced by: Rick Desai - Managing Partner, Listen Ventures

FUTURE OF IoT AND FOOD

Jim Palmer - Senior Director og IoT and Wireless Connectivity Partnerships

Steven Shaw - Community Engagement Director, Verizon

SPOTLIGHT #9

Kevin Honaker - CEO & CoFounder, BiomeSense

Introduced by: Ashley Hartman - Managing Director, Bluestein Ventures

FUTURE OF INVESTING

Sanjeev Krishnan - Managing Partner, S2G Investments

Moderated by: Winston Gu - Partner, Cooley

CLOSING REMARKS & OFFICIAL STARTUP PORTFOLIO PHOTO

TBA - Chicago Fire FC

Mark Tebbe - Innovation & Venture Council Chair, World Business Chicago

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

167 N Green St, Chicago

Please note that the Future of Food Waste Forum is an invitation-only event for registered participants. Walk-ins and day-of registration are not available.

FUTURE OF FOOD WASTE REGISTRATION OPENS

WELCOME REMARKS

Phil Clement - President and CEO, World Business Chicago

The Honorable Toni Preckwinkle - President, Cook County Board of Commissioners

OPENING KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT

Gerald R. Kunde - Senior Vice President, Institutional Affairs & Corporate Communications, Ferrero

Jason Feldman - CoFounder, Green Era

Moderated by: Wendell Dallas - President & CEO , Nicor Gas

COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING

CLOSING PANEL

Joanne Rodriguez, Founder & Board Member, Myocylce

John Rivers, 3 Rivers - CEO

Dr. Lance Schideman - Principal Research Scientist, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

Moderated by: Garry Cooper, PhD - CEO, Rheaply

CLOSING REMARKS

Meena Beyers - Vice President, Business and Community Development, Nicor Gas

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

167 N Green St, Chicago

Please note that the Closing Reception is exclusive to registered participants of the Chicago Venture Summit and the Future of Food Waste Forum. Walk-ins and day-of registration are not available.

TBA - Chicago Fire FC