VentureApp Maps Chicago Startup Investments to Strengthen the Innovation Economy

CHICAGO, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- VentureApp, a professional chat platform, today announced VentureMap Chicago, an interactive network visualization of the city's tech ecosystem, in partnership with TechNexus, a Chicago-based venture collaborative and incubator. The map displays hundreds of investments into tech startups by angel investors, venture capitalists, incubators, accelerators, and more.

VentureApp mapped Chicago startup and investor relationships to give professionals the ability to discover trends in their community and pathways to connect with investors in their extended network. VentureApp users can also use the map to connect directly with other users via the chat interface.

"Chicago possesses an impressive community of investors and businesses — both at the startup and enterprise level — that are the backbone of our local innovation economy," said Brett Bivens, venture investor at TechNexus. "Not only is it compelling to visualize the investor relationships in our city, it's practical for founders, investors, and corporate innovators to trend spot and connect with one another."

VentureMap Chicago demonstrates volume and connections between deals in the following startup investment sectors:

• Angel investors and angel groups – Individual investors and groups of individual investors are driving a significant amount of deals into Chicago startups. VentureMap Chicago highlights close to 200 investments made by individuals and groups such as Hyde Park Angels, Eric Lefkofsky, Stuart Larkins, Ira Weiss, and more.
• Venture capital firms – Driving a majority of startup investments in the city, VentureMap Chicago highlights more than 300 investments from VC firms like Illinois Ventures, MATH Venture Partners, Chicago Ventures, Origin Ventures, Pritzger Group, Lightbank, and more.   
• Incubators and accelerators – Healthbox, Techstars Chicago, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Elmspring Accelerator, and more, are active incubators and accelerators in the Chicago tech community.

"We're extremely focused on making the innovation economy easier to navigate — for professionals who are already active in the community, and for those who are trying to break in," said Chase Garbarino, CEO of VentureApp. "Visualizing the breadth of powerful tech ecosystems like Chicago is the first step in making networking, investing, and mentoring more accessible to the broader community."  

As part of the launch of VentureMap Chicago, VentureApp has invited influential investors from M25 Group, TechNexus, MATH Venture Partners, and Moderne Ventures to host online office hours on its chat platform for professionals. Professionals can view the schedule and RSVP here for unique opportunities to get one-on-one access and advice, all from their desk or on-the-go with the VentureApp iOS app.

VentureApp is rolling out custom VentureMaps, private online chat networks, and online office hours in various cities and industries this year to bring communities together. If you're interested in seeing a map of your city's investment ecosystem, or if you'd like to learn more about how to get yourself, your business, or your investment firm represented on VentureMap Chicago, please reach out to VentureApp at [email protected].

About VentureApp
VentureApp is a chat platform for professionals. Headquartered in Boston with more than $6M in funding, VentureApp launched in September 2015 with a focus on strengthening the innovation economy in order to drive economic growth. Thousands of professionals from businesses like DraftKings, Silicon Valley Bank, HubSpot, Drizly, Goodwin Procter, and more, are chatting on VentureApp. For more information, visit http://www.ventureapp.com or follow VentureApp on Twitter @VentureApp.

Media Contact:
Katie Sullivan
Phone: 860.916.4829
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE VentureApp