Future-of-food-week

The sign at the entrance of the Chicago Global Capital For Food event. The sign is slightly obscured by a large houseplant.
Saturday May 18th-Sunday May 26th

Foode future of Food week activation - all week!

In honor of World Business Chicago’s Future of Food Week, Foode is bringing you the chance to experience the city of Chicago’s best dining options! Think of Chicago like your dining game board—you’ll be able to earn perks and prizes at participating venues and official events throughout the week. Check out the rules below and sign up!

1. Sign up on the form below to participate in Foode’s Future of Food Week campaign!
2. We’ll send you the campaign link to get started on Saturday, May 18.
3. Scan the unique QR codes at participating venues and events to play the WBC x Foode Drop in Mixed Reality. Every time you visit a new restaurant and play the Drop, you have the chance to win Foode loyalty points and/or exclusive on-site offers! Hold up your phone’s camera to find the WBC x Foode drop in the room. Claim your prize! Select venues will offer either redeemable prizes onsite, such as a free drink or savings on your next meal, or Foode loyalty points! Earning 3 Foode loyalty points automatically qualifies you for our giveaway for a grand prize of $250 to any DineAmic Hospitality restaurant!
4. Earning 3 loyalty points also automatically qualifies you for the chance to earn $50 to DineAmic Hospitality restaurant as a runner up.
5. Keep visiting participating restaurants and events throughout the week to earn loyalty points for your chance at the grand prize and to redeem for other dining gift cards! You can find the list of restaurants and events on this page as they are confirmed and on the campaign link.

Let us know your favorite spots and perks by sharing on social media! Tag us @foode_app.

Monday May 20th | 2pm-3:15pm

Startup Chicago Food & Beverage Virtual Showcase

​Led by World Business Chicago in partnership with its sponsors, Startup Chicago connects venture-ready startups with regional and national investors to accelerate growth. As an extension to the Chicago Venture Summit, Startup Chicago market’s the city’s thriving startup ecosystem with active VCs and tech investors across the Midwest and around the country.

The Startup Chicago Showcase is an invite-only virtual event exclusive for select VCs and tech investors to learn more about Chicago’s startup ecosystem and hear from promising entrepreneurs, fundraising their next round in 2024.​So far this year, we've successfully hosted five showcases, and we're excited to be hosting one specifically for the Future of Food week.

The Food and Beverage Showcase is a great opportunity for startups in the food and beverage industry to showcase their products, connect with investors, and gain valuable exposure.

Tuesday May 21st | 1pm-7pm

Blend Talks

Join us for the grand finale of the Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship at mHUB in Fulton Market.​ Blend:Talks will feature our 10 Chicago:Blend Venture Fellows as they take the stage to share thought-provoking talks on key trends and industry insights impacting venture capital.​

Come for the content and stay for an early-evening reception immediately following the talks.​​

Tuesday May 21st | 1pm-7pm

Naturally Pitch Slam

The Naturally Chicago Pitch Slam is the centerpiece of our Pitch Slam and Financing & Innovation Forum, to be held May 21 at Chicago’s beautiful Epiphany Center for the Arts. The Pitch Slam prize package of business-building services has a value of nearly $200,000!Tickets are now on sale for the natural products industry event of the year in Chicago. This is your best opportunity to meet established and emerging brands, investors, service providers, lenders, potential business partners and more. Speakers include luminaries such as John Foraker, CEO of Once Upon a Farm, Carlotta Mast, Market Leader of New Hope and Producer of Natural Products EXPO, leading retailers, and other industry leaders.

Tuesday May 21st | 6pm-9pm

Taste of Orion3 & Foode

Orion3, Chicago's premiere networking group, and Foode, your one-stop platform for all your dining needs, are hosting a tasting event in honor of the Future of Food Week! Expect tasty bites, drinks, and serendipitous conversation on the future of food, tech, startups and more.

wbc original - Wednesday may 22nd | 9 am- 12pm

startup day!

Startup Day at Future of Food Week, taking place on May 22nd from 9 AM to 12 PM, is designed to foster meaningful connections between food innovation startups and investors. The morning features a networking breakfast, followed by two exclusive tracks: a Food Innovation Panel for startup founders and a Fund Formation and Angel Investments session for investors, concluding with targeted matchmaking where select investors will connect with four handpicked companies through curated 15-minute sessions.

relish works x wbc - Wednesday may 22nd | 5pm - 8pm

invite-only

future of food Week reception

You're invited to join us for an unforgettable kickoff to Future of Food Week! Presented by World Business Chicago and Relish Works, this reception promises a dynamic blend of innovation, camaraderie, and, of course, delicious bites and drinks. Mingle with movers and shakers from across the industry, all converging to celebrate the dynamic spirit of Chicago's food and beverage scene. Let's raise a glass to the future of F&B together—it's going to be a night to remember!

Wednesday May 22nd | 3:30pm-5pm

Food Foundry Demo Day 2024

Food Foundry is a Chicago-based startup accelerator program by Relish Works, built in partnership with Gordon Food Service. In just six years, Food Foundry’s 30 alumni startups have raised over $65M+ in VC funding and created hundreds of jobs for our industry. 

Join us on May 22nd, at the Relish Works Office to hear pitches from five foodservice startups pioneering what’s next in restaurant experiences. Explore further details and register using the link below.

Thursday May 23rd | 11:30am-1:30pm

Executives' Club of Chicago:
Bayer AG's CEO on the Urgency of food security

Please join Bill Anderson – CEO and Chairman of Bayer AG—on May 23 to discuss today’s dynamic nutrition environment and emerging concerns for American food security. The conversation will present an opportunity to explore the unique role Bayer AG plays in safeguarding America and bringing food to the table.

Members of the WBC community get 50% off the ticket price using code: WBCBAYER

Thursday May 23rd | 7pm

Exclusive Chef Experience  

Indulge in an exclusive culinary journey at The Coach House, the latest venture by acclaimed Chef Zubair, a two-time James Beard Award and Jean Banchet Award nominee. Nestled in the heart of Chicago, this hidden gem promises an unforgettable Multi-Course Menu experience, showcasing a unique collaboration between Chef Zubair and two beloved culinary maestros, Chef Stephen of S.KY, Apolonia, and Valhalla fame, and Chef Rishi, formerly of Bar Sotano and Topolobampo.

Tucked away behind Lilac Tiger's vibrant street food location on Division St., The Coach House invites you to savor signature dishes and innovative creations from these notable Chicago chefs.

But the experience doesn't end there! As a special treat, you'll take home the chefs' "secret sauces," allowing you to recreate the magic in the comfort of your own kitchen, ensuring that the magic of the experience lingers long after the final bite.

Here Here Market is bringing you this unique experience, showcasing how innovative chefs are embracing the restaurant-to-retail journey. By enabling diners to take home their products, Here Here Market extends the joy of dining out, allowing you to recreate restaurant experiences at home with ease and finesse.

Tickets are $100/each, 24 seats available total, prices are all-inclusive, covering not only the extraordinary dinner but also the coveted take-home products.

Thursday May 23rd | 4pm-6pm

Enthuse Foundation Chicago Meetup

​The Enthuse Foundation is a non-profit organization investing in a new generation of women entrepreneurs and cultivating the next generation of business leaders. #NewToNext​Whether you're just launching a well-established company, our business pitch nights offer an opportunity to meet other women business owners, present your product or service, refine your elevator pitch, and receive supportive feedback from our community.​

Event Agenda
4:00-4:15 Networking​
4:15-5:00 Welcome/Introductions/Discussion
​5:00-6:00 - Timed Pitches (no presentation, visuals, etc)

Thursday May 23rd | 6pm-9pm

Women in Bio-chicago:
screening of Show her the money

Women In Bio-Chicago invites you to an exciting upcoming event where we will be hosting a screening of Show Her the Money, a film that demystifies venture capital and addresses the fact that women get less than 2% of VC funding.

The film follows four visionary founders as they endure uphill battles to turn their ideas into reality. In spite of their dedication and passion constantly being challenged, these women, with the financial support and mentorship of their angel investors, become even more determined, resourceful, and resilient, and the growth of their businesses is mind-blowing. Each business has the potential to become a “unicorn” … a billion-dollar business. Enjoy networking before the film and a fireside chat with members of the film cast. Each ticket includes appetizers and two drink vouchers.

Program
5:30 p.m. – 6:10 p.m.  Networking
6:10 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.  Movie
7:40 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.  Tech intermission
7:50 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.  Fireside chat with film cast
8:15 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Networking and wrap-up

See Partner Events