Registration & Networking Breakfast

Welcome Remarks by MC Anna DeShawn

Opening Remarks

Phil Clement - President & CEO, World Business Chicago

Charles Smith - Vice Chair, World Business Chicago

The Honorable Brandon Johnson - Mayor, City of Chicago

MORNING KEYNOTE PANEL: Silicon Valley of Sweet

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 & Co-Founder, Helios

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

PANEL: The Future of Ag and Nutrition

Opening Panel Remarks by Adelaide Feuer - Managing Director, Edelman

Brett Lutz - Vice President for Global Communications, ADM

Brian Jacobson - Associate Director for Strategic Operations, UIUC

Michael Miller - Professor for Food Science & Human Nutrition, UIUC

Moderated by: Adelaide Feuer - Managing Director, Edelman

Closing Panel 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 & Co-Founder, Rivet

Introduced by: Tessa Flippin - Managing Partner, Capitalize VC

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #4

Andy Freivogel - CEO & Co-Founder, Science on Call

Introduced by: Chris Deutsch - Founder, Lofty Ventures

Panel: Future of the Grand Farm

Taya Spelhaug - Director of Fargo Site & TechSpark Engagement, Microsoft

John Mann - Startup & Investor Program Manager, Grand Farm

Joseph Swift - CSO & Co-Founder, Crop Diagnostix

Moderated by: Nisaini Rexach - Community Engagement Lead, Microsoft

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #5

Annie Nasatir - Co-Founder & Chief Banana Bread Officer, GoNanas

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

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #6

Craig Rupp - CEO & Founder, Sabanto

Introduced by: Deirdre Carlson - Vice President, JP Morgan

Presenting Sponsor & Partner Remarks

Ted Glick - Chief Ticketing Officer & Senior Vice President, Chicago Fire FC

Disha Gulati - CEO & Founder, Here Here Market

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT #7

Dominick DeLegge - CEO, Prima

Introduced by: Jim Slama - Managing Director, Naturally Chicago

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT: Cleveland Avenue Today and Tomorrow

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

FUTURE OF TECH IN FOOD

Jim Palmer - Senior Director of IoT and Wireless Connectivity Partnerships, Verizon

Steven Shaw - Community Engagement Director, Verizon

SPOTLIGHT #9

Kevin Honaker - CEO & Co-Founder, 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

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

Abin Kuriakose - Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, World Business Chicago

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 - Co-Founder, Green Era

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

COFFEE BREAK & NETWORKING

CLOSING PANEL

Holly Yanai - Senior Manager, Divert

Joanne Rodriguez - Founder & Board Member, Mycocycle

Jorge Pelaez- Chief Capital Officer, 3 Rivers Energy

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.

PRESENTED BY EXECUTIVE SPONSOR CHICAGO FIRE FC

Join us for the official closing reception, presented by Executive Sponsor Chicago Fire FC, to celebrate innovation, investment, and the future of Chicago. Our hometown Major League Soccer club is making a transformative investment in the city through the development of its world-class, downtown stadium.