- This event has passed.
When
7.23.2024 8:00AM - 12:00PM
Where
,With a population of 68 million people, 20% of the US lives in the twelve states that comprise America’s Midwest – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The region also arguably boasts as many successful exits in our sector as any other region in the world. Penta, Textura, Gradebeam, ConstructConnect, Laborcharts, Msuite and Laticrete are some of the companies that have grown up in the region and rewarded investors with successful sales. Behind those successes are many more software, hardware, and innovative material and product startups in development
Join us for this special in depth look at this vibrant ecosystem. Meet the new startups, investors, industry players, research hubs, and other organizations that make this region one of the sector’s leading center’s of Built World Innovation.
This event is being held as part of the BuiltWorlds Construction Tech Conference, July, 23-25th at the Willis Tower.
The Midwest Forum Agenda
A deep dive into the four major groups that make up the Midwest’s innovation ecosystem – The research hubs and supporting organizations, the startups, the investors and the corporates.
Day 1 Schedule
Breakfast
Networking
Introductory Remarks
Speaker: Matt Gray, Founder, BuiltWorlds
The Universities, Accelerators, and Organizations Supporting the Region's Ecosystem
Speakers:
Eleanor Gorski, CEO & President, Chicago Architecture Center
Mani Golparvar, CSO and co-founder | Professor, Reconstruct
Shelley Finnigan, Director, EMDC & MPM Programs, Northwestern University - MPM and EMDC
Kyle Schulz, Chief Growth Officer, World Business Chicago
A Showcase of Built World Startups Based in the Midwest
Speakers:
Tim Swanson, Founder & CEO, Inherent
Joe Benvenuto, Chief Operating Officer, LIFTbuild
Ben Preston, Co-Founder, COO, Gearflow
Catherine Witt, Senior Transformational Leader, Screever Co.
John Gecke, President, Stratusvue
Chad Freese, CEO, XCarbon Technologies
Networking Break
Meet the Investors
Speakers:
Ira Weiss, Partner, Hyde Park Venture Partners
Maggie Kenafke, General Partner, Iron Prairie
Jenny Song, Principal, Navitas
Jason Blumberg, Managing Partner, Energy Foundry
Alex Behar, Principal, Buoyant Ventures
Meet the Corporates
Speakers:
Brianne Stewart, Group Product Manager, Milwaukee Tool
Drew DePriest, Director of Real Estate Operations Technology, McKesson
David Hillman, VP, Integrated Technology Sales, Navistar
Closing Remarks
Midwest Forum Luncheon (By Invitation)
The Midwest Forum is open to BuiltWorlds Members and Construction Tech Ticket Holders. A limited number of $200 stand alone tickets to the Midwest Forum may also be purchased while supply lasts.
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