Chicago:Blend receives NVCA's 2023 DEI Impact Award

Chicago:Blend to be honored at nvca leadership gala on May 11

CHICAGO – The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the leading voice for the nation’s VC and startup community, and their 501(c)(3) organization Venture Forward, announced today that Chicago:Blend has been selected to receive the 2023 DEI Impact Award, which recognizes individuals, organizations or firms who have made a significant impact toward advancing equity in venture. 

"Chicago:Blend began in 2018 as a community-led effort among local investors who were deeply concerned about the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in Chicago's VC industry. Since then, we have grown into a fully staffed organization that is delivering impact through new programs, content and data,” said Chicago:Blend's founder and board president Lindsay Knight, who is also a partner at Chicago Ventures. “Thank you to the NVCA and Venture Forward for this tremendous honor and recognition."

Past award recipients include Plexo founding managing partner Lo Toney and BLCK VC. The award will be presented at the NVCA Leadership Gala on May 11 in San Francisco. 

“We are grateful to NVCA for their leadership in diversifying the VC industry through initiatives like Venture Forward, which has been an invaluable partner to us here on the ground,” said Chicago:Blend executive director Joey Mak. “This recognition is the product of a collective effort by our region’s VCs, startups, and entrepreneurial support organizations to increase equity in tech. We look forward to continuing our service to this community.”

Chicago:Blend is a non-profit organization committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in Chicago’s VC and startup community. The organization measures diversity across Chicago’s VC industry, prepares overlooked professionals for roles in venture, and provides DEI resources to VCs and their portfolio companies. In 2022, the organization launched Chicago Venture Fellows, a four-month cohort program providing underrepresented, aspiring VCs with real-world experience sourcing and evaluating deal flow while expanding their networks and knowledge of VC. To date, 37 fellows have participated and five have secured employment at firms upon completing the fellowship.

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