They say, "ask for money, and you'll get advice. But ask for advice, and you'll get money."
An official partner event of TechChicago Week, F(o)under Forum is your opportunity to ask for advice directly from investors and funding partners, potentially putting you on a path to your next check!
Sit down at roundtable discussions with various investors who will actually pitch you on their firm, then take your questions on things like their deals, diligence process, and how they would make decisions on your particular startup. Every 20 minutes you switch roundtables and meet a new investor!
At our roundtable discussions, you can meet investors from:
We cap it off with a casual happy hour. Then stick around for the evening pitch battle event with Startup Grind Chicago!
F(o)under Forum has limited capacity. You must apply and be approved first.
Founders should apply if they're a pre-seed or seed company actively in a raise or about to start a raise. Apply below and join us as we meet up in Chicago for an afternoon of programming and connecting on Thursday, July 24th.
Program Agenda:
11:00am - [Optional] MKE<>CHI TRAIN
12:30pm - Arrive in CHI; Walk to Workbox at the 125 S Clark St, Chicago, IL 60603 (The Loop)
12:30pm - Arrive at Workbox
1:00pm - Welcome
1:15pm - 1st Roundtable Discussions
2:30pm - Break
2:45pm - 2nd Roundtable Discussions
3:45pm - Happy Hour
5:00pm - Startup Grind Pitch Competition Begins
[Optional] CHI <> MKE TRAIN
8:00pm - Program Ends
[Optional] CHI <> MKE TRAIN
Presenting Organizations:
Sponsoring Organizations:
Roundtable Discussion Investors:
What is the F(o)under Forum Series?
The F(o)under Forum is a dynamic meetup designed to foster meaningful connections between startup founders and capital allocators within the Midwest Founders Community. This unique gathering brings together entrepreneurs and investors for candid conversations, shared insights, and collaborative learning.
Unlike traditional pitch events, the F(o)under Forum creates a space for mutual discovery—where founders gain deeper insights into the investment landscape, and funders better understand the challenges and opportunities facing emerging startups. Through structured discussions, peer learning, and informal networking, participants will explore themes such as capital strategies, market trends, and founder-investor dynamics.
Whether you're an early-stage founder looking to refine your fundraising approach or an investor eager to connect with high-potential startups, the F(o)under Forum offers a trusted environment to engage, learn, and build lasting relationships.