Mar 26, 10:30 PM – Mar 27, 1:30 AM (UTC)
Fabrik Chicago, 440 North Wells Street, Chicago, 60654
Pitch deck to term sheet. Founders Turned Funders brings former founders-turned-investors to one stage to talk candidly about the mindset shift, what they look for now, and where Chicago VC is headed next.
What changes when the person pitching becomes the person writing the check?
On March 26, Startup Grind Chicago brings together former founders who now invest in startups. They’ve raised capital, made payroll, managed boards, and lived through exits. Now they sit on the other side of the table.
THE PANELISTS
Hear from Desiree Vargas Wrigley and Tessa Flippin.
Desiree is the Founding GP of Velocity Catalysts Funds, investing in Midwest quantum, biotech, life sciences, and more. She previously founded Pearachute and GiveForward, acquired by GoFundMe. She also was Chief Innovation Officer of P33, and Executive Director of TechRise. AND she's a Shark Tank alum!
Tessa is the Founder and Managing Partner of Capitalize VC, investing in pre-seed stage tech companies serving the rapidly evolving global commerce industry. Prior to venture capital, Tessa founded La Plataforma, an e-commerce tech company connecting peer to peer payments to retailers and convenient stores.
These are heavy-hitting, active VCs who entered the game as founders, successfully exited, and now look to fund the next generation of Chicago.
You'll learn things like:
- How VCs look for signals
- What former founders THOUGHT was important versus what's reality.
- How to think like an investor
- Where is Chicago venture headed next?And more!
If you’re building, raising, investing, or just trying to understand how capital really flows in this city, grab a seat.This event is part of the global Startup Grind community's celebration of International Women’s Month.
Velocity Catalyst Management
Founding GP
Capitalize VC
Founder, Managing Partner
March 26 – 27, 2026
10:30 PM – 1:30 AM (UTC)
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