First Believers: How Chicago's Foundations Shape What Capital Does Next

The people who understand catalytic capital best aren’t in the corner office—they’re the ones who read every application, make every site visit, and fight for the long shots in grant committee. Frontline program officers from the Coleman Foundation and Richard L. Duchossois Foundation are backing entrepreneurs, seeding innovation infrastructure, and taking bets on founders the market hasn’t priced. Moderated by Chicago:Blend, they’ll share the indicators they track, the bets they’re making now, and how their conviction sets the trajectory for where institutional capital flows next. Attendees reflect on one gap where first-mover capital is missing—and leave with a clearer picture of what it takes to follow the first believers.