“ChicagoNEXT will have a straightforward mission: to foster economic development and job growth in these vital sectors, and to attract investment needed to build technology companies,” Emanuel said in a statement. “This council will put forth plans that will ensure a vibrant business climate in Chicago, attracting high-quality jobs, talent and investment.”
Led by a World Business Chicago (WBC) council, ChicagoNEXT will launch shared space partnerships, exchange programs for entrepreneurs, and reach out to venture capital firms and technology talent. The program will be led by J.B. Pritzker, managing partner of The Pritzker Group and a member of the WBC Executive Committee, along with WBC directors Jeff Aronin, Eric Lefkofsky and Pat Ryan Jr.
“ChicagoNEXT is focused on making Chicago the best possible place for technology entrepreneurs,” Pritzker said. “The council will lead an innovative and aggressive effort to bring new opportunities to the area and shape the city’s business landscape for generations. I look forward to working alongside Mayor Emanuel and the other directors to achieve these goals.”
