FUTURE OF COMMERCE | THE BLUEPRINT: BUILDING TOMORROW'S INNOVATION
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE FUTURE OF COMMERCE 2025
A SUCCESS!
The Future of Commerce, Chicago’s premier business and technology summit, took place on July 21st during TECHICAGOWEEK 2025. This year's event brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from diverse industries.
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The 2025 theme = The Blueprint: Building Tomorrow's Innovation.
The Future of Commerce aims to highlight the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and community impact.
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From AI-powered workshops to a Maker Faire showcasing Chicago’s finest builders, this event is designed to inspire collaboration and spark new ventures!
SPONSORS
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🚀 Young Innovators, Makers, and Entrepreneurs — This is YOUR Moment!
The NXT GEN Pitch Competition is your chance to turn a bold idea into a real business! This 4-week program teaches aspiring entrepreneurs (ages 16+) how to build, solve, and pitch with power. And it all leads to the main stage at The Future of Commerce event!
Meet the host of the NxtGen Pitch Competition, Zion Ali!
Zion Ali, artist and advocate, leads the “Make It Through” initiative, uniting communities. Known for I Believe in Youth and work with SocialWorks & Rainbow PUSH, he uplifts through music and outreach
PARTNERS
FEATURED
SPEAKERS/
PANELISTS
Building Sustainable Communities
EDUCATION TRACK | Time: 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM
Description: This panel brought together leading organizations from across Chicago who are at the forefront of sustainability work. Panelists shared innovative approaches to recycling, clean energy, and community-driven development, and discussed the current climate, future visions for Chicago, and actionable steps for making our neighborhoods greener and more resilient.
COMED
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Alt_ (pronounced Alt space)
VP of Workforce Development, Grid Alternatives
Director of Sustainability for Urban Efficiency
CEO of Daze of Autonomy
Chicago Reimagined
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK | Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Description: This dynamic fireside chat brought together visionary community leaders/BSO’s to discuss how Chicago’s rich cultural heritage can be transformed into economic opportunity. Panelists shared real-world insights on leveraging local culture, creativity, current climate, and community assets to drive inclusive economic development. Attendees heard stories of neighborhood revitalization, innovative business models, and collaborative efforts that are shaping the city’s future.
Executive Director and Co-Founder, Greater Englewood Chamber
President & CEO of Community Desk Chicago
Co-Founder & Director of Duo Development
Executive Director of AAABNA
Found of Rooted Ventures
WORKSHOPS
EDUCATION TRACK
​​CMAP Workshop: Leveraging Public Data for Business Growth
Time: 4:30 - 5:15 PM
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In this interactive session, the CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) team demonstrated how small business owners, community organizations, and emerging entrepreneurs can tap into publicly available data to inform and strengthen their business strategies. Participants learned how to access, interpret, and apply data on demographics, consumer trends, transportation, and neighborhood development to make smarter, data-driven decisions every day.​​
​Grow Your Business with AI-Powered Tools by Google
Time: 6:15 - 7:00 PM
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In this hands-on workshop, CJ Harris guided participants through the latest tools and features available in Google Studio, with a special focus on emerging AI technologies. Attendees have learned practical ways to integrate AI into their businesses and projects—whether it's for marketing, customer engagement, data analysis, or workflow automation. The session is designed for all experience levels and will provide actionable steps to start using AI today.​
Applying AI for Creative Execution
Time:5:15 PM - 5:40 PM
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Chicago artist and Peace Campus Director, Heavy Crownz, shared his personal journey of how AI has transformed his creative process and dramatically improved his workflow. In this candid workshop, he revealed the specific ways AI has catapulted his artistic output while helping him better serve his Englewood community.​
NXT GEN Pitch Competition
Time: 5:00 PM​
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NXT GEN Pitch Competition
Judges​
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CHOOSE YOUR TRACK
PLAN YOUR EXPERIENCE
INNOVATION TRACK
Time: 4:15 PM - 7:15 PM
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Location: Great Hall
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Description: Highlighting creators and entrepreneurs showcasing innovative projects, emerging brands, resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners and more.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRACK
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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Location: Auditorium
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Description:
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5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: NextGen Pitch Competition
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Emerging entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges for a $500 prize.
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6:30 PM - 7:30 PM: Chicago Reimagined: Culture into Currency | Moderator: Ja'Net Defell​
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This dynamic fireside chat brings together visionary community leaders/BSO’s to discuss how Chicago’s rich cultural heritage can be transformed into economic opportunity. Panelists will share real-world insights on leveraging local culture, creativity, current climate and community assets to drive inclusive economic development. Attendees will hear stories of neighborhood revitalization, innovative business models, and collaborative efforts that are shaping the city’s future.
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EDUCATION TRACK
Time: 4:30 PM - 7:15 PM​ | Location: Breakout Room​
A series of hands-on workshops designed to empower entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community leaders with practical tools and strategies. These sessions offer actionable insights on using data, building sustainable neighborhoods, and harnessing the power of AI for business growth.
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4:30 PM - 5:15 PM CMAP Workshop: Leveraging Public Data for Business Growth
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In this interactive session, the CMAP (Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning) team will demonstrate how small business owners, community organizations, and emerging entrepreneurs can tap into publicly available data to inform and strengthen their business strategies. Participants will learn how to access, interpret, and apply data on demographics, consumer trends, transportation, and neighborhood development to make smarter, data-driven decisions every day.​
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5:15 PM - 5:40 PM Applying AI for Creative Execution
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​Chicago artist and Peace Campus Director Heavy Crownz shares his personal journey of how AI has transformed his creative process and dramatically improved his workflow. In this candid workshop, he'll reveal the specific ways AI has catapulted his artistic output while helping him better serve his Englewood community.
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5:50 PM - 6:30 PM Building Sustainable Communities
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This panel brings together leading organizations from across Chicago who are at the forefront of sustainability work. Panelists will share innovative approaches to recycling, clean energy, and community-driven development, and discuss the current climate, future visions for Chicago, and actionable steps for making our neighborhoods greener and more resilient.​
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6:30 PM - 7:15 PM Grow Your Business with AI-Powered Tools by Google
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In this hands-on workshop, CJ Harris will guide participants through the latest tools and features available in Google Studio, with a special focus on emerging AI technologies. Attendees will learn practical ways to integrate AI into their businesses and projects—whether it's for marketing, customer engagement, data analysis, or workflow automation. The session is designed for all experience levels and will provide actionable steps to start using AI today.
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