The future of Chicago will be

built by all of us.

P33 is on a mission to transform Chicago into a tier one technology and innovation hub driving inclusive economic growth.

Explore our progress so far:
View our 2023 Report

P33 is focused on four ambitious objectives:

Lead the world in quantum technologies and semiconductors
Accelerate biotechnology to transform the future of food, medicine, and fuel
Discover and deliver decarbonization tech to transportation and heavy industry
Prioritize inclusion to ensure equitable opportunities for all of Chicago

P33 — a name inspired by our history and our destiny.

P stands for our People, our Purpose, our Plan, and our Progress.
33 stands for 1933, the year of the Chicago World’s Fair, a moment that established our city on the world stage of technology. And for 2033, the 200th anniversary of Chicago’s founding — and when we will realize our vision for Chicago as a technology leader.

Tomorrow changes based on what we do today.

Since 2019, P33 has been dedicated to building programs, partnerships, advocacy, and coalitions that promote inclusive economic growth for our city and region. Here are just a few ways we aim to create a tier one technology and innovation hub for — and with — the people of Chicago.
Innovate Illinois
The federal government has recently dedicated an unprecedented level of investment to catalyze more inclusive and sustainable regional economies. To aggressively compete for these federal dollars, leaders from across the state have formed Innovate Illinois, a public-private partnership to secure federal funding for Illinois to support science, technology, and climate initiatives. The partnership has mobilized more than 20 organizations and institutions and has 100+ individuals contributing to its efforts.
Learn about Innovate Illinois

$7B

in federal funding now in focus

$10B

in private investment now in focus

TechRise
TechRise brings community, capital, and connections to historically underrepresented tech founders from Chicago. Since its launch in 2021, P33 has deployed more than $2.8 million in grants to TechRise founders. This early stage capital has enabled founders to raise an additional $157 million in follow-on funding, creating a more than 50X return on the initial investment.
Learn about TechRise

$157M

in follow-on funding

Founder Resources
P33 has helped launch three critical resources to elevate Chicagoland founders: TechChicago CommonApp, Speed Round, and Velocity. CommonApp is a centralized platform for startup programming applications, investor outreach, and deal flow. It connects nationwide investors with Chicagoland founders to deliver efficient access to resources and capital opportunities.

Speed Round, a program started in 2022, gives founders access to one-on-one coaching, fast feedback, tools, and frameworks to help them grow and scale their businesses. Our goal is to help them raise an additional $200 million one year after completion of the program.

Velocity is a $50M hyper regional hybrid fund designed to expand access to capital at the riskiest layer of the capital stack, ensuring both emerging funds and startups in our region's most critical industries reach the traction they need to attract the additional funding required to scale.

$34.6M

funding raised by Speed Round startups

Xchange Chicago
In partnership with Comer Education Campus and SDI Presence, P33 has launched Xchange Chicago, an onshore IT delivery center built in partnership with Chicago’s communities. Leveraging commercial demand for IT services, Xchange is a groundbreaking model that promotes a more inclusive economy in Chicago’s South and West sides.
Explore Xchange Chicago
TechChicago Week
Powered by P33 and World Business Chicago, TechChicago Week has become the region’s premiere tech event connecting all of Chicago’s innovators. Each year, thousands of attendees gather for events, panels, afterparties, and world-class speakers.
Catch the Highlights

TechChicago Week 2024

July 22-26

Tech Talent Alliance
The Tech Talent Alliance makes big, long-term bets to transform the city’s workforce through a powerful network, novel programming, and actionable insights centered on its demand-driven perspective of the tech talent ecosystem. The 40+ members range from Fortune 100 companies to high-growth startups and represent over 100,000 local employees.
See the Tech Talent Report

40+

Companies

Tech Talent Alliance members

Good Jobs Challenge Grant
At the end of 2022, Chicago received one of 32 Good Jobs Challenge Grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. This grant is designed to advance the workforce system and build lasting infrastructure for Chicago. P33 is playing a central convening role, bringing together employers and providers to identify pain points in the system and build solutions to mitigate them. 
Learn about Good Jobs Challenge Grant

$3M

allocated to train and retain overlooked talent in Chicago

P33 Leadership

Chris Gladwin
Board Chair
Co-Founder & CEO, Ocient
Garry Cooper, Jr., PhD
Board Vice Chair
CEO & Co-Founder, Rheaply
Jennifer Scanlon
Board Vice Chair
President & CEO, UL
Brad Henderson
CEO
Nuwan Samaraweera
COO & EVP
Talent Solutions
Desiree Vargas Wrigley
CIO
Executive Director TechRise
Meera Raja
VP of Deep Tech
Tifair Hamed
CMO