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                                                                                                              “THERE IS A GROWING AND BURGEONING STARTUP ECOSYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN BUILDING IN CHICAGO FOR A WHILE NOW.”
 - BILL PESCATELLO, PRINCIPAL AT LIGHTBANK

Who are We


Chicago Founders Circle is created to help Founders, CEOs and key executives of the most promising emerging growth companies in the Greater Chicago region build long-term, sustainable companies by creating opportunities and a sense of community, and fostering teamwork in a collegial environment.

Chicago Founders Circle is formed and led by a group of prominent executives and business leaders who helped build some of the region's biggest and most successful emerging growth companies.

Chicago Founders Circle is an exclusive, invitation-only program that provides participants with an opportunity to meet with peers, as well as members of the Chicago Founders Circle Organizing Board and speakers/session leaders, in an intimate setting. Each month, participants discuss current issues facing their companies, exchange ideas and meet other successful entrepreneurs who can help guide them through the process of building great companies. At the conclusion of the program, participants who have attended and actively participated in three of the four class sessions are invited to a formal graduation ceremony, where they are joined by the speakers/session leaders of the program.

Founders, CEOs and key executives of emerging growth companies face many issues and challenges that can best be understood only by peers, versus employees, investors or even co-founders. Chicago Founders Circle's unique environment provides participants with an easy and enjoyable way to learn from peers and experts who have been there before. 

Past Speakers


Shawn Riegsecker, CEO & Founder of Centro 

Chris Olsen, Co-Founder of Drive Capital 

Brad Keywell, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Lightbank and co-founder and
  Director of Groupon

Gregg Kaplan, Former President & COO of Coinstar and Founder and CEO of
  Redbox



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  • Events
  • Past Speakers
  • Graduates
  • Sponsors
  • Press
  • Contact