Upcoming Events, Courses, and Talks

If you're building a brand or technology redefining how we eat, live, shop, or care for ourselves in B2C or B2B, this mHUB Capital Connect Panel is your front-row seat. Join investors from Bluestein Ventures, Springdale Ventures, and IgniteXL Ventures as they dive into what they're looking for in the next generation of consumer startups.

Led by a panel of experienced investors specializing in consumer innovation, this session offers an inside look at investment trends and opportunities in food, wellness, beauty, and commerce tech. The panelists will share insights on their investment theses, what makes startups stand out in today's competitive landscape, and how they evaluate purpose-driven founders shaping a healthier, smarter, and more sustainable world.

This event is also a must-attend for anyone curious about the evolving consumer landscape in Chicago — a growing hub for food innovation, health-focused brands, and digitally native device startups. You'll gain valuable insight into how the city is positioning itself at the forefront of consumer disruption and where the biggest opportunities lie.

Capital Connections provides more than just networking opportunities—it creates an environment for learning about the fundraising process and understanding investor perspectives. While this event doesn't guarantee funding connections, it equips founders with essential knowledge and resources to approach venture capital more strategically.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is particularly valuable for:

• Founders building innovative consumer products or technologies
• Entrepreneurs focused on food, wellness, beauty, or commerce tech
• Startup teams looking to understand the consumer VC landscape
• Business owners seeking funding for purpose-driven consumer ventures
• Anyone interested in Chicago's emerging consumer innovation ecosystem
• Founders looking to connect with specialized consumer investment funds

About the Panelists

• Mollye Santulli, VC at Springdale Ventures
• Aaditi Tamhankar, Investor at Bluestein Ventures
• Luke Deasy, Investor at igniteXL Ventures

About Capital Connections

Capital Connections brings funds, investors, lenders, and other capital providers together to discuss what's top of mind for every founder: fundraising! This program connects entrepreneurs with funding resources and provides an environment to learn about the venture capital landscape. While we don't guarantee connections between founders and VCs, we offer valuable education and resources that help founders make informed decisions about their fundraising strategy. Capital Connections empowers entrepreneurs by providing insights into what investors are looking for, current market trends, and strategies for effectively approaching potential funders.

Register