What we’re about
Startup Founder 101 brings together aspiring and experienced tech entrepreneurs to discuss, meet, and collaborate to build great new startups, and to push the local startup ecosystem forward.\
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This group hosts numerous free events throughout the year where you can learn the best practices of starting a company from people who have been there and done that. You’ll have the opportunity to meet local founders and investors, exchange ideas with experts, get feedback on your idea, participate in startup workshops, and more.\
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Typical startup event topics include:\
• Coming up with a strong startup idea\
• Startup legal basics\
• How to pitch your startup\
• Starting a company without quitting your day job\
• How to raise funding for your startup\
• And much more!\
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Join the group to be invited to our next event!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Ask an Investor Anything: Q&A with Sonam VelaniLink visible for attendees
Do you want to ask questions to startup investors about fundraising in a friendly, judgment-free environment? Are you looking to raise funding in the future, and want to learn what investors look for and how they evaluate potential investments? Then join us for this live, interactive Q&A event featuring Sonam Velani, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Streetlife Ventures. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your network and ask in-depth questions - Register now!
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❯ What You'll Learn:- Key metrics and pre-requisites for raising funding
- How to make yourself more attractive to investors
- The best ways to source different funding resources such as Angel investors, Venture Capitalists, grants and loans
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❯ Featured Speaker:- Sonam Velani - Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Streetlife Ventures - A mission-driven leader bridging capital, policy, and technology, she has led multi-billion-dollar investments in climate infrastructure, affordable housing, and inclusive economic growth across roles at Goldman Sachs, the World Bank, Zipline, and the NYC Mayor’s Office. With deep expertise in structuring complex deals and building public-private partnerships, her work spans global markets; from financing the largest U.S. transit agency to deploying medical drones in Africa. Her career is dedicated to tackling systemic inequities and aligning innovation with long-term impact.
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❯❯ This live, interactive online event promises valuable insights! Ensure your participation by RSVPing now at 👉 https://fi.co/startupwebinar/19119 to receive the link to join us live! - FI Chicago - Wisconsin Winter 2025 Graduation: Meet the New CompaniesLink visible for attendees
Join us for the most recent Chicago-Wisconsin Winter 2025 Graduation, where you can see an inspiring talk by and a few debut presentations from the new Alumni. Learn about some of the companies that will go onto seed-accelerators, raise funding, and build the next great Midwest startups. There will also be an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs and celebrate the new Graduates.
❯ Graduation Keynote Address:
- AJ DeLeon - Co-Founder & CEO @ Innovare: AJ is a former educator, school improvement coach, and data strategist in Chicago Public Schools as well as a former consultant at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He was recognized as a 2016 National EPic alumnus of Education Pioneers, was an inaugural fellow of The Surge Institute, and is an admirer of the art of Frida Kahlo. Innovare is a data and continuous improvement ed-tech venture that supports education and nonprofit leaders with the software and support they need to impact students and communities.
❯ We proudly announce the following new companies:
- Astarta
- B&B Horizon
- HapyTap
- iGrow
- KnowCents
- MomSub
- Tapestree
- TripCirlce
❯❯ This is a live, interactive online event, so be sure to RSVP at https://fi.co/e/374361/meetup to receive the Zoom URL to join us live!
