The conversations continue after the Summit.

Join us the morning after the Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Health for a casual networking breakfast bringing together the founders, investors, researchers, practitioners, health system leaders, and corporate innovators shaping what’s next in health.

Hosted by TechNexus in partnership with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Grainger College of Engineering and Landuyt Center for Entrepreneurship, this official companion event extends the Summit experience beyond the mainstage, creating more time to discover emerging technologies, reconnect with fellow attendees, and build relationships across Chicago and the broader Midwest’s health innovation ecosystem.

Meet the innovators behind the ideas.

Explore select startup showcases featuring Grainger Engineering Tech Startup Challenge participants and founders building tech-driven solutions across hard tech, clean tech, medical tech, and digital tech. If you didn’t catch these teams during the October 20 Startup Challenge, or want a closer look, this is your opportunity to meet the founders, experience their work, and continue the conversation.

Additional healthtech and life sciences companies may share demonstrations and exhibits throughout the morning, offering an approachable way to learn who is building across the region and begin the early, ongoing relationships that help innovation ecosystems thrive.

Why attend

  • 🌀 Continue the conversation with healthtech founders, investors, researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders in a relaxed setting after the Chicago Venture Summit.

  • 🧬 Discover emerging innovation through UIUC Grainger Engineering startup showcases and live demonstrations from healthtech and life sciences companies.

  • 🤝 Build relationships across the ecosystem over breakfast, with complimentary all-day workspace access at TeamWorking by TechNexus.

Continue the Future of Health experience.

This is an OPEN event and an official companion event to World Business Chicago’s Chicago Venture Summit: Future of Health, taking place October 20, 2026. Whether you attended the Summit or are part of the broader healthcare innovation community, join us the following morning to meet more of the people and companies advancing the future of health in Chicago and across the Midwest.

More about your hosts:

TechNexus is a Venture Collaborative, a dynamic investment and innovation platform that builds and scales high-growth businesses by bridging corporate capital, startup ecosystems, and industry transformation. Through corporate joint ventures, venture capital funds, and hands-on venture building, we unlock new markets, accelerate growth, and create lasting value for corporations, investors, and founders alike.