Program · Fellowship
Chicago Venture Fellows
Chicago Venture Fellows is Chicago:Blend's fellowship offering training and real-world experience for aspiring venture capitalists.
- Application state
- Not currently accepting
Overview
What Chicago Venture Fellows offers
What Chicago Venture Fellows is
Chicago:Blend Venture Fellowship is a six-month peer learning cohort program for aspiring venture capitalists in Chicago and the Midwest. The program culminates in Blend:Talks, where graduating fellows present insights about emerging technologies and VC trends to investors. The program aims to expand venture-career access for underrepresented aspiring VCs.
Operational profile
Program status and context
Program status describes the program itself. Application availability and deadlines remain separate.
- Operational status
- Active
- Program type
- Fellowship
- Host organization
- Chicago:Blend
- Last reviewed
- June 12, 2026
Terms and economics
Published program terms
- Price
- Free
- Compensation
- Hybrid
Focus and fit
Who the program is for
Program thesis
The Chicago Venture Fellows program aims to diversify the venture capital talent pipeline by preparing aspiring venture capitalists from historically marginalized groups. It combines formal training with practical experience to enhance representation in the VC industry.
Eligibility
No specific educational requirements listed Aspiring venture capitalists with interest in VC careers Commitment to the six-month program Chicago-based or relocating to Chicago preferred Program seeks to increase representation of historically marginalized groups
Selection approach
Applications are open to aspiring venture capitalists with an interest in VC careers. No specific educational requirements are listed, but candidates should be committed to the six-month program and preferably based in or relocating to Chicago.
- Regions
- United States
- Audience
- Investors · Scouts · Operators
- Geographic eligibility
- United States
- Career stage
- Student · Early Career · Mid Career
Format and cadence
How participation works
- Presence
- Hybrid
- Main location
- Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Duration
- 26 weeks
- Cohort size
- 10
- Cohorts per year
- 2
- Engagement
- Part Time
Delivery model
The program is hybrid, with a mix of in-person and remote activities.
Participation expectations
Participants are expected to commit part-time to the six-month program.
Availability and engagement
Application timing and route
- Application state
- Not currently accepting
- Admissions
- Application Only
Published timeline
The program lasts for six months, with the next cohort starting on September 9, 2026.
Value and support
What participation may provide
Publicly described support is context, not a guarantee of current delivery or future benefit.
What participants may receive
Placement at local VC firm with real deal work experience Formal VC finance training through VC University Weekly educational sessions and mentorship Access to Chicago:Blend's extensive VC network Co-working space access at 1871, MATTER, mHUB, and TeamWorking by TechNexus Post-program professional development and career support Networking with founders and tech community Alumni community and continued support
Outcomes and track record
What the public record shows
Historical activity and reported outcomes provide context, not a guarantee of future results.
- Last recorded cohort
- August 5, 2026
Reported outcomes
Over 90% of alumni who pursued VC roles secured positions Alumni placed at major firms including Sequoia Capital, Initialized Capital, and Khosla Ventures In less than two years, fellows collectively spoke to 850 companies 10 portfolio companies secured venture funding through fellow introductions 70% of companies funded had at least one female founder or founder of color
Common questions
Program details at a glance
Chicago Venture Fellows is published in Upseed as a fellowship program hosted by Chicago:Blend. Upseed treats the Program and its host Organization as separate records so each can have its own status and sources.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
June 12, 2026
Known limits
Terms, deadlines, and application states can change. Confirm current details at the published destination before acting. Upseed does not yet classify every Program destination as official.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official representative of this program or its host.