18:I[517881,["/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0ikpi8mp-ca4-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/15kg3rl36-8uf.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/0ot0ckijmr48k.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/3-orbxyrqbpg-.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1dvpxks_btnqx.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/160g8ynm-erhh.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/2vijgpraxpy3z.js","/_next/static/immutable/chunks/1wm9-c4bkfz5m.js"],"EventNavbar"] :HL["https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Manrope:wght@400;500;600;700;800&family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap","style"] 19:T442,

Join fellow conference attendees at Flight Club Chicago for a relaxed evening of food, conversation, and Social Darts. Meet new people, reconnect with fellow attendees, and unwind after a full day of ideas and conversations.

This casual, inclusive social experience includes hosted appetizers and snacks, opportunities to connect in a more informal setting, and interactive dart games in small groups. No dart experience is needed; the games are easy to learn and fun for beginners and experienced players alike.

Whether you are a student, young professional, mid-career professional, longtime member, or attending an OPEN Chicago event for the first time, this event is for you.

This is a separate, optional conference add-on. Advance registration is required, and tickets are available only while capacity lasts. This event is for guests ages 21 and older.

1a:T459,

Dr. Omar Lateef is the President and CEO of Rush University System for Health and Rush University Medical Center, leading an academic health system dedicated to patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. A pulmonary and critical care physician, he brings a clinical perspective to advancing healthcare quality, patient safety, and equitable access to care.

Before becoming CEO, Dr. Lateef served as Rush’s Chief Medical Officer, helping drive improvements in clinical outcomes and organizational performance. He earned his medical degree from Des Moines University, completed his internship and residency at New York University Downtown Hospital, and completed his pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Rush.

Recognized on STAT’s 2025 STATUS List of influential healthcare leaders, Dr. Lateef has championed innovation and community engagement throughout his career. He brings perspectives on healthcare transformation, leadership through crisis, and building systems that address both patient needs and the broader factors shaping community health.

1b:T433,

Dr. Aadeel Akhtar is the Founder and CEO of PSYONIC, a pioneering bionics company developing advanced, accessible prosthetic technology. Inspired at age seven after meeting a child with a limb difference while visiting Pakistan, Dr. Akhtar dedicated his career to closing the gap between technological possibility and real-world accessibility.

He developed PSYONIC’s Ability Hand, an advanced prosthetic hand designed for speed, durability, individual finger movement, and sensory feedback that gives users a sense of touch. Dr. Akhtar holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and an M.S. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as degrees in Biology and Computer Science from Loyola University Chicago.

His work has earned recognition including MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35, Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Healthcare, and Newsweek’s America’s Top 50 Disruptors. In 2024, he also secured a rare three-Shark deal on Shark Tank.

1c:T630,

Kalsoom Lakhani is the Co-Founder and General Partner of i2i Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology-enabled companies in Pakistan. A longtime builder of startup ecosystems in emerging markets, she founded Invest2Innovate (i2i) in 2011 to support entrepreneurs, build startup capacity, and strengthen Pakistan's broader innovation ecosystem and other growth markets.

Over a career spanning more than 15 years, Kalsoom has worked with and trained entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders across Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan. She has spoken at global forums including the World Economic Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, Global Entrepreneurship Summit, and SXSW.

She previously served as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, is an alumna of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, and is a Kauffman Fellow. Since 2016, she has also contributed to research behind Beloved Economies, which explores new models of leadership, collaboration, and organizational innovation.

Kalsoom holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in International Affairs and Conflict Resolution from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Her work at the intersection of venture capital, entrepreneurship, ecosystem building, and emerging markets brings a valuable perspective to OPEN Chicago’s 2026 theme, “Beyond Intelligence: Building What’s Next.”

1d:T414,

Dr. Khan Siddiqui is the Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of HOPPR, a healthcare technology company advancing artificial intelligence in medical imaging. A clinical radiologist and serial entrepreneur, he brings together expertise in medicine, technology, and business to help translate AI innovation into practical healthcare solutions.

His career includes leadership roles at Microsoft, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Maryland. He founded Higi, a consumer health technology company, and previously served as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at Hyperfine, the company behind a pioneering portable MRI system.

Holding dozens of patents across AI, deep learning, medical imaging, and data visualization, Dr. Siddiqui has also served as the founding chair of the American College of Radiology’s Imaging and Informatics Commission. He brings perspectives on building healthcare technology companies, commercializing medical innovations, and expanding the real-world impact of AI.

1e:T653,

Zunaira Arshad is an Investment Partner at Watershed Ventures, where she partners with visionary founders building early-stage companies across healthcare, B2B software, and AI. Her work centers on identifying and backing exceptional founders and high-potential markets, particularly those that have been overlooked by traditional venture capital.

Zunaira believes some of the most consequential companies are built by founders who see opportunities others miss. She is particularly drawn to entrepreneurs tackling complex problems at the intersection of technology, economic opportunity, and human needs, and works closely with founders from the earliest stages to help them build enduring companies.

Prior to joining Watershed Ventures, Zunaira was an investor at Drive Capital, a multi-billion-dollar venture firm based in Columbus, Ohio, where she focused on backing founders and markets underserved by traditional venture capital.

Earlier in her career, Zunaira advised high-growth startups across healthcare and fintech in New York and began her work in technology at ConsenSys, the pioneering blockchain venture studio founded by Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin. There, she led content strategy and market research across a portfolio of more than 50 companies working at the intersection of finance and technology.

Zunaira holds a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University. She brings the rigor of a scientist, the perspective of an entrepreneur, and the conviction of an investor to her work with founders building what comes next.

1f:T410,

Umair Javed is the Founder and CEO of Tkxel, a global technology company helping enterprises and startups innovate through artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and product engineering. Since founding the company in 2008, he has built a business serving Fortune 500 companies and emerging ventures, with a focus on translating technology into measurable business value.

An engineer by training and an educator at heart, Umair holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, and an M.S. in Computer Science from Lahore University of Management Sciences, where he graduated as a gold medalist. He also taught at LUMS, contributing to the development of future technology professionals.

An active investor, mentor, and speaker, Umair supports founders across AI, SaaS, e-commerce, and other technology sectors. He brings perspectives on scaling businesses, building strong teams, and moving AI from experimentation to practical business impact.

20:T6c0,

Ahsan is the Founder and Managing Partner of sAi Capital, a growth equity firm investing in technology companies that combine proprietary software, AI, and product-led services to solve complex enterprise challenges. The firm partners with ambitious founders to build businesses that are institutionally scalable, globally competitive, and positioned for long-term value creation.

Beyond capital, sAi Capital works closely with portfolio companies to strengthen governance, commercial strategy, operational execution, executive leadership, and international expansion. The firm’s investment philosophy is rooted in backing businesses that own differentiated intellectual property while leveraging deep domain expertise to accelerate adoption, generate recurring revenue, and build durable competitive advantages.

Ahsan currently serves on the boards of multiple high-growth technology companies, working alongside founders and executive teams on corporate strategy, governance, capital allocation, executive leadership, and scaling businesses for institutional growth.

Prior to founding sAi Capital, Ahsan held executive leadership roles within Fortune 500 organizations, where he led enterprise technology strategy, advanced analytics, product innovation, and large-scale digital transformation initiatives. His experience as an operator, investor, and board director provides a practical perspective on building and scaling technology businesses.

Ahsan is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and advises organizations across the public and private sectors on technology strategy, AI adoption, digital transformation, innovation, and long-term business growth.

21:T485,

Omair Siraj is the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Chestnut Health. Omair's vision for providing high quality care to the acute and post-acute world is what drives the success of our practice. He's had tremendous success in several healthcare and business ventures throughout his career.

Chestnut is a group medical practice that took birth as a consequence of the emerging needs in the health care industry due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) 2011. It specializes in providing customized clinical programs through its physicians and physician extenders to hospital systems, LTACs and sub-acute rehabilitation facility networks (SNFs). It primarily aims to enhance the quality of patient care and clinical outcomes, while mitigating the overall cost of care. Prior to launching Chestnut Health, he served as the CEO of Hospital Medicine Company (HMC), a hospitalist company serving several major hospital systems in Chicagoland. In 2015, he successfully completed the acquisition of HMC by IPC The Hospitalist Company, Inc., (NASDAQ: IPCM), a publicly traded national company with over $1.4 Billion market value.

22:T479,

Noor Aftab is a triple award-winning data scientist, AI researcher, and President of Skilium AI. With 15 years of technology experience, including four years leading global programs at Amazon Web Services, she brings together technical expertise, global program leadership, and a practical understanding of how organizations adopt emerging technologies.

An IBM Champion and Chair of the NumFOCUS Board, Noor works at the intersection of AI, open-source technology and business transformation. Through Skilium AI, she helps professionals and business leaders design AI-powered workflows, build agents, and turn emerging capabilities into usable solutions. Her approach combines technical foundations with hands-on implementation, helping people move from experimentation to building and shipping real work.

Noor has spoken at more than 300 events across 14 countries, including PyData, IEEE conferences and Open Source Summit. Her work has been covered by the BBC, The Martha’s Vineyard Times and Hindustan Times, reflecting a career spanning technology, entrepreneurship and expanding access to opportunity.

23:T605,Kalsoom Lakhani is the Co-Founder and General Partner of i2i Ventures, an early-stage venture capital fund investing in technology-enabled companies in Pakistan. A longtime builder of startup ecosystems in emerging markets, she founded Invest2Innovate (i2i) in 2011 to support entrepreneurs, build startup capacity, and strengthen Pakistan's broader innovation ecosystem and other growth markets. Over a career spanning more than 15 years, Kalsoom has worked with and trained entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders across Pakistan, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan. She has spoken at global forums including the World Economic Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, Global Entrepreneurship Summit, and SXSW. She previously served as a Nonresident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, is an alumna of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, and is a Kauffman Fellow. Since 2016, she has also contributed to research behind Beloved Economies, which explores new models of leadership, collaboration, and organizational innovation. Kalsoom holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs and Middle East Studies from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in International Affairs and Conflict Resolution from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Her work at the intersection of venture capital, entrepreneurship, ecosystem building, and emerging markets brings a valuable perspective to OPEN Chicago’s 2026 theme, “Beyond Intelligence: Building What’s Next.”24:T623,Zunaira Arshad is an Investment Partner at Watershed Ventures, where she partners with visionary founders building early-stage companies across healthcare, B2B software, and AI. Her work centers on identifying and backing exceptional founders and high-potential markets, particularly those that have been overlooked by traditional venture capital. Zunaira believes some of the most consequential companies are built by founders who see opportunities others miss. She is particularly drawn to entrepreneurs tackling complex problems at the intersection of technology, economic opportunity, and human needs, and works closely with founders from the earliest stages to help them build enduring companies. Prior to joining Watershed Ventures, Zunaira was an investor at Drive Capital, a multi-billion-dollar venture firm based in Columbus, Ohio, where she focused on backing founders and markets underserved by traditional venture capital. Earlier in her career, Zunaira advised high-growth startups across healthcare and fintech in New York and began her work in technology at ConsenSys, the pioneering blockchain venture studio founded by Ethereum co-founder Joe Lubin. There, she led content strategy and market research across a portfolio of more than 50 companies working at the intersection of finance and technology. Zunaira holds a B.S. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Yale University. She brings the rigor of a scientist, the perspective of an entrepreneur, and the conviction of an investor to her work with founders building what comes next.25:T589,

Whether you are a student, young professional, mid-career professional, longtime member, or attending an OPEN Chicago event for the first time, this event is for you.

Venue: Flight Club Chicago, 111 W. Wacker Dr., Chicago, IL 60601
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

This is a separate, optional conference add-on. Advance registration is required, and tickets are available only while capacity lasts. This event is for guests ages 21 and older.

e:[["$","link",null,{"rel":"stylesheet","href":"https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Manrope:wght@400;500;600;700;800&family=Inter:wght@400;500;600;700&display=swap"}],["$","style",null,{"dangerouslySetInnerHTML":{"__html":"\n :root {\n --event-page-background: #f7f9fb;\n }\n\n html,\n body {\n background-color: var(--event-page-background);\n }\n\n .event-site {\n --ev-primary: #207040;\n --ev-secondary: #207040;\n --ev-primary-text: #ffffff;\n --ev-font-heading: 'Manrope', system-ui, sans-serif;\n --ev-font-body: var(--font-inter);\n --ev-border-radius: 8px;\n --ev-radius: 8px;\n --ev-anim-duration: 0.4s;\n --ev-anim-easing: cubic-bezier(0.25, 0.1, 0.25, 1);\n --ev-hero-text: #1A1A1A;\n --ev-hero-text-muted: #4b5563;\n \n }\n "}}],["$","div",null,{"data-theme":"summit","data-animation":"clean","data-custom-background":"$undefined","className":"event-site min-h-screen flex flex-col bg-background text-foreground","children":[["$","$L18",null,{"eventSlug":"open-chicago-annual-conference","basePath":"","config":{"name":"OPEN Chicago Annual Conference 2026","slug":"open-chicago-annual-conference","email":{"style":"light","templates":{"draftSaved":{"body":"Your progress on {{formTitle}} has been saved. Use the code below to pick up where you left off.","subject":"Continue your form - {{formTitle}}"},"ticketPass":{"body":"Please download your tickets","heading":"Save your tickets","subject":"Tickets"},"submissionReceived":{"body":"We have received your submission to {{formTitle}}. The organizing team will be in touch.","subject":"We received your submission - {{formTitle}}"},"ticketConfirmation":{"heading":"Save your tickets","subject":"Tickets"}},"senderName":"OPEN Chicago"},"event":{"city":"Chicago, IL 60606","date":"October 24, 2026","state":"","venue":"320 South Canal St","mapUrl":"","address":"320 South Canal Street","country":"","latitude":41.8772105,"location":"Chicago, IL","longitude":-87.6424513},"layout":{"navLinks":[{"href":"https://www.open-chicago.org/","label":"About OPEN Chicago","openInNewTab":false}],"navStyle":"horizontal","footerStyle":"simple","headerStyle":"minimal","contactEmail":"info@open-chicago.org","headerButton":{"enabled":true},"stickyHeader":true,"showCopyright":false,"showHeaderOnHome":true,"transparentHeader":true,"showSocialInFooter":false,"footerLinkHoverStyle":"underline"},"content":{"hero":{"title":"OPEN Chicago Annual Summit 2026","description":"Empowering Innovation in the Windy City"}},"tagline":"Beyond Intelligence, Building What's Next","branding":{"logoUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/confexo/logos/vgi15hnh91gwztmuxnai.png","logoMeta":{"width":997,"format":"png","height":320},"faviconUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/confexo/logos/lqwlc0hgtuk9btvuqogs.png","logoColors":null,"faviconMeta":{"width":161,"format":"png","height":158},"iconMarkUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/confexo/logos/jnpdtwkdqc6yxanwn5bw.png","logoDarkUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/confexo/logos/tjqwpnco4jhtcovqj1uj.png","iconMarkMeta":{"width":161,"format":"png","height":158},"logoDarkMeta":{"width":883,"format":"png","height":273},"primaryColor":"#207040","secondaryColor":"#207040","organizationLogoUrl":"","organizationLogoMeta":{"width":1500,"format":"png","height":690}},"cssTheme":"summit","darkMode":false,"schedule":{"days":["Pre-Conference","Annual Conference Day"],"venues":[{"id":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","name":"320 South Canal St","address":"320 South Canal Street, Chicago, IL 60606","sourceVenueId":"7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5"},{"id":"venue-9430bb17-c7eb-4c16-b8db-a3031bbad98e","name":"Flight Club Chicago","address":"111 W Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601","sourceVenueId":"9430bb17-c7eb-4c16-b8db-a3031bbad98e"},{"id":"venue-5b8197aa-a6fe-4252-8f0f-8395aa2a00fc","name":"VIP Dinner","address":"2605 35th Street, Oak Brook, IL","sourceVenueId":"5b8197aa-a6fe-4252-8f0f-8395aa2a00fc"}],"display":"at-a-glance","palette":["#1f6f3f","#11276a","#671f6f"],"sessions":[{"id":"session-1791352291252-part-1791521795524","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"talk","title":"Welcome and Introduction","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"name":"Babar Rathore","title":"President","company":"OPEN-Chicago","profileId":"832fe75f-ffcc-42cc-92b6-24f8fc1b3a08"},{"name":"Aamir Chalisa","title":"General Manager","company":"Futurity First Insurance Group","profileId":"1ae48c21-0146-4a1a-a067-90ec00f392e8"},{"id":"speaker-1791210447355","name":"Tariq Khan","title":"President","company":"OPEN Global","profileId":"c7f92477-704e-40a8-aaff-aa5cc8e7ac10"},{"id":"speaker-1791432531405","name":"Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh","title":"Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States","company":"","profileId":"e48d25c9-097e-4a55-814a-4a493f628331"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"10:00","start":"09:30"},"hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1791352291252-part-1791521801713","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"panel","title":"Beyond AI: The Human Future","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791613703167","name":"Kader Sakkaria","role":"moderator","title":"Global Chief Data Officer","company":"Marsh","profileId":"1287d5cc-ab61-42c5-8eec-7993c710bd8a"},{"id":"cfc98361-8fec-4ec1-8f6a-f006e5247b46","name":"Aleeza Hashmi","title":"Co-Founder & CEO","company":"Bitewing","profileId":"0b44b6b0-b3ae-4102-86cb-579d800f8b86"},{"id":"728f3632-b152-4bde-ac78-a7dfbcf386a6","name":"Noor Aftab","title":"Sr. Program Manager","company":"Amazon Web Services","profileId":"455f466f-4ae5-4694-b44a-9eaf177fd8a3"},{"id":"f9bccde5-b5e2-4f4c-b7db-a20e3d84dd0d","name":"Rebecka Zavaleta","title":"Co-Founder & CEO","company":"Paismo","profileId":"6213b727-5386-4a01-bedb-3415e27bd3f7"},{"id":"speaker-1791689069660","name":"Sania Khan","title":"Chief Economist","company":"Becoming You Labs","profileId":"1e8ee5f5-1ebf-4688-93f3-d9031053c732"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"10:40","start":"10:00"},"detailsHtml":"

Explore how AI is reshaping industries, redefining work, and challenging us to rethink what we build next, and how human creativity, judgment, and connection will shape that future.

"},{"id":"session-1791352291252-part-1791521809890","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"talk","title":"Supercharging Humans and Robots","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"id":"b0e42111-e18b-45e9-884a-13701f99ee7c","name":"Dr. Aadeel Akhtar","title":"Founder & CEO","company":"PSYONIC","profileId":"f72628ad-f713-41b6-b6f9-7411499d1e2a"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"10:55","start":"10:40"}},{"id":"session-1791352291252-part-1791522152238","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"break","title":"Break","access":"conference-pass","timeSlot":{"end":"11:05","start":"10:55"},"hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1791483503949","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"networking","title":"Post Conference Social","venue":"venue-9430bb17-c7eb-4c16-b8db-a3031bbad98e","access":"separate-ticket","imageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/schedule/r4r5fhuqyhimjm7ajfm5.jpg","timeSlot":{"end":"19:30","start":"17:00"},"description":"Join fellow conference attendees at Flight Club Chicago for a relaxed evening of food, conversation, and darts. Meet new people, reconnect with fellow attendees, and unwind after a full day of ideas and conversations.","detailsHtml":"$19","ticketTypeId":"312f27f7-f290-456c-815b-a97bd503a152","registrationUrl":"https://summit.open-chicago.org/tickets","registrationLabel":"Tickets"},{"id":"session-1791489229603","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"competition","title":"Pitch @ OPEN Chicago","access":"conference-pass","timeSlot":{"end":"14:15","start":"13:15"},"detailsUrl":"/pitch","sponsorIds":["sponsor-1792569579990"],"description":"Five finalists pitch live on the main stage for the $5,000 prize.","detailsHtml":"

Watch five early-stage startups take the main stage, with 10 minutes each to pitch their idea. Finalists will be evaluated on innovation, market potential, business model, and team. The winner takes home $5,000.

","sponsorLabel":"presented-by","hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1791489261369-part-1791522618921","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"fireside-chat","title":"Leading Through Transformation","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"name":"Khan Siddiqui","role":"moderator","title":"Founder & CEO","company":"HOPPR","profileId":"9b9a39cf-dbae-4359-8a4f-7a1e13125039"},{"id":"50c0a9c6-9688-4796-8db2-11a9fc88e28e","name":"Dr. Omar Lateef","title":"President & CEO","company":"Rush University System","profileId":"d37fad22-829c-4972-8935-798356ee79cb"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"12:15","start":"11:45"}},{"id":"session-1791489261369-part-1791522629453","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"panel","title":"Pakistan-US Tech Connect","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791354357782","name":"Faisal Jeddy","role":"moderator","title":"CEO","company":"Pakistan Software Export Board","profileId":"6c8c929d-9f1d-41f2-92fc-26f31db0067f"},{"name":"Sajjad Syed","profileId":"d7354807-a436-4c42-bc52-ec8ebb6455a2"},{"name":"Dr. Faisal Kamiran","profileId":"ef2c1bbb-25be-4d43-a91b-1f4bd21b19f3"},{"name":"Bilal Abbasi","title":"Chief Executive Officer","company":"Ignite - National Technology Fund","profileId":"f28d2d0a-d807-4809-830e-d8d5718302b0"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"15:00","start":"14:15"}},{"id":"session-1791489261369-part-1791522657131","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"ceremony","title":"Pitch Winner Announcement and Closing Remarks","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1792689201970","name":"Babar Rathore","title":"President","company":"OPEN-Chicago","profileId":"832fe75f-ffcc-42cc-92b6-24f8fc1b3a08"},{"name":"Mustafa Ladha","profileId":"ee613d81-5c06-4e6d-94ea-d306a5a197b9"},{"id":"speaker-1792689211268","name":"Aamir Chalisa","title":"General Manager","company":"Futurity First Insurance Group","profileId":"1ae48c21-0146-4a1a-a067-90ec00f392e8"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"16:00","start":"15:30"},"hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1791489319199","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"networking","title":"Networking and Closing","access":"conference-pass","timeSlot":{"end":"17:00","start":"16:00"},"description":"Connect, take photos, and wrap up the day before the social.","detailsHtml":"

Stay to continue the day’s conversations and meet the people you didn’t get to talk to earlier. Take photos with fellow attendees, speakers, and the pitch finalists, and close out the conference together before we head to the Post-Conference Social at Flight Club Chicago.

"},{"id":"session-1791520522116","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"other","title":"Check-In and Networking","access":"conference-pass","timeSlot":{"end":"09:30","start":"09:00"},"customType":"Registration","description":"Light breakfast, badge pickup, check-in, and early networking.","detailsHtml":"

Kick off the day with a light breakfast and an easy start. Pick up your badge, check in at the registration desk, and meet fellow attendees, founders, and speakers over coffee before the program begins at 9:30 AM.

","hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1791523010455","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"break","title":"Lunch and Networking","access":"conference-pass","timeSlot":{"end":"13:15","start":"12:15"},"sponsorIds":["sponsor-1792569608795","sponsor-1792569612923"],"description":"Lunch, with time to connect and visit the sponsor booths.","detailsHtml":"

Take a break and enjoy a hearty lunch. Use the time to continue the morning’s conversations, meet new people, and stop by the sponsor booths. A good chance to recharge before the afternoon sessions.

","hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1792230397381","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"dinner","title":"Pre Conference VIP Dinner","venue":"venue-5b8197aa-a6fe-4252-8f0f-8395aa2a00fc","access":"invite-only","timeSlot":{"end":"22:00","start":"19:00"},"sponsorIds":["sponsor-1791258854154"],"inviteEventId":"c46487dc-b835-46d9-aebb-1ef119343eb9","inviteVisibility":"hidden"},{"id":"session-1792543977566","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"other","title":"Registration & Networking","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","timeSlot":{"end":"14:00","start":"13:30"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","customType":"Check-In","ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","hideTypeLabel":true,"registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792544536690","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"ceremony","title":"Opening Ceremony","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791432531405","name":"Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh","title":"Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States","company":"","profileId":"e48d25c9-097e-4a55-814a-4a493f628331"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"14:15","start":"14:00"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","description":"","detailsHtml":"

Pakistan and U.S. national anthems
Welcome Address by Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh

Remarks by Faisal Jeddy (CEO, PSEB) on Pakistan IT Landscape & Opportunities
TechDestination Video - Pakistan NOW: Success Stories / DFDI / Indus AI Week
Remarks by Bilal Abbasi (CEO, Ignite) on the Startup Ecosystem in Pakistan, PAK–U.S. Tech Connect 2026
Remarks on Collaboration Opportunities by Tariq Khan, OPEN Global President.

","ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","hideTypeLabel":true,"registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546321256","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"talk","title":"Company Showcase I","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","timeSlot":{"end":"14:55","start":"14:35"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","companyIds":["a0b21639-60b9-49ba-ab1d-efa720d04d13","de1ed5e0-7de3-4d48-aec6-a9b59ab16240","ea512985-8007-4a7a-901a-b26f636fc3ef","3181e38d-b6f0-4353-b776-8efe563e846f"],"ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","hideTypeLabel":true,"registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546394005","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"break","title":"Tea Break & Networking","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","timeSlot":{"end":"15:15","start":"14:55"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","hideTypeLabel":true,"registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546438971","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"panel","title":"Scaling Enterprise Partnerships Across the U.S.","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791354357782","name":"Faisal Jeddy","role":"moderator","title":"CEO","company":"Pakistan Software Export Board","profileId":"6c8c929d-9f1d-41f2-92fc-26f31db0067f"},{"id":"speaker-1791914360879","name":"Kewan Khawaja","title":"Co-CEO","company":"Techlogix","profileId":"d88119cb-df27-4638-8f23-153822e55493"},{"name":"Fahad Siddiqui","title":"SVP","company":"Strategic Systems International (SSI)","profileId":"b9ad8a1b-f8d5-4edf-9297-a50e54c617c3"},{"id":"speaker-1791914524289","name":"Fatima Asad-Said","title":"CEO","company":"Abacus","profileId":"8e8a211f-adbd-4f66-b903-bb5c9fc92233"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"15:35","start":"15:15"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546582219","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"talk","title":"Company Showcase II","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","timeSlot":{"end":"15:50","start":"15:35"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","companyIds":["fa8d94b2-51a6-4b15-92ca-1f641c2bf93d","6cc8a654-05d4-47b0-8782-a080482c3704","9b1c6720-bc71-4c4a-afed-4e68d05cf780"],"ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","hideTypeLabel":true,"registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546640601","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"panel","title":"The Intersection of Technology & Business","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","speakers":[{"id":"7024853d-231a-4b84-b749-810e5513e416","name":"Andrew Vandekerckhove","title":"Founder & CEO","company":"Golden Crow Capital","profileId":"acdd0eea-1bf1-4318-96ad-45ebde74d768"},{"id":"04bb7472-7cf9-4fb7-8985-b729db47fcc8","name":"Jason G","title":"Chief Operating Officer","company":"Chestnut Health Company","profileId":"7ba31ea9-267b-4e96-9037-2e5a3be7a23c"},{"name":"Omair Siraj","profileId":"1e9880dc-34ea-4da0-aea0-301a1f2391cc"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"16:15","start":"15:50"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","description":"Buying Behavior and Route-to-Market Strategy in the US Middle Market","ticketTypeId":"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c","registrationUrl":"https://confexo.link/tech-connect","registrationLabel":"Register"},{"id":"session-1792546729967","day":"Pre-Conference","type":"talk","title":"Closing Keynote & Remarks","venue":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5","access":"separate-ticket","speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791354634682","name":"Zaman Mehdi","title":"Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago","company":"","profileId":"18cdebbf-912e-40fd-9312-7999b2ae3ce1"},{"id":"speaker-1791912312937","name":"Ahsan Jamil","title":"Founder & Managing General Partner","company":"sAi Capital","profileId":"a898ae33-e03f-4709-8d79-ba737197af2e"},{"name":"Aamir Chalisa","title":"General Manager","company":"Futurity First Insurance Group","profileId":"1ae48c21-0146-4a1a-a067-90ec00f392e8"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"16:25","start":"16:15"},"accessNote":"Separate Registration","detailsHtml":"

What U.S. buyers and investors look for, by Ahsan Jamil
Closing remarks from Consul General Zaman Mehdi and Aamir Chalisa (OPEN Chicago)

Private Equity, Venture Capital & the New Investment Landscape

","hideTypeLabel":true},{"id":"session-1792607661435","day":"Annual Conference Day","type":"fireside-chat","title":"Leading Beyond Borders","access":"conference-pass","speakers":[{"name":"Shunaiber Tauhid","role":"moderator","title":"Epidemiologist","profileId":"f4e8119e-917a-4b63-a128-2af155a28d35"},{"id":"a9fa6c9b-8ab9-4514-b16a-02178a0453cb","name":"Kalsoom Lakhani","title":"Co-Founder and General Partner","company":"i2i Ventures","profileId":"b1447815-51cd-4513-948b-49f4b922acc4"}],"timeSlot":{"end":"15:30","start":"15:00"},"description":"A Journey of Leadership, Venture, and Impact"}],"pageTitle":"Agenda","colorStyle":"immersive","dayDetails":{"Pre-Conference":{"date":"2026-10-23","kind":"pre-conference"},"Annual Conference Day":{"date":"2026-10-24","hosts":[{"name":"Ahsan Rehman","title":"Technical Lead watsonX Orchestrate","company":"IBM","profileId":"4c522f89-6818-4c8d-90f9-895ca1221f02"},{"name":"Sadia Rimsha","title":"Data Engineering Student | Coordinator OPEN Chicago","company":"Code the dream","profileId":"8f04cece-1f38-4037-8427-50693795fed1"}],"venueId":"venue-7ea7dbeb-7667-4e2a-a1ec-bc9f4ea1c5a5"}},"glanceStyle":"cards","ticketGroupHosts":{"974a667e-abf3-4e22-9c46-48ab521d727c":[{"name":"Aamir Chalisa","title":"General Manager","company":"Futurity First Insurance Group","profileId":"1ae48c21-0146-4a1a-a067-90ec00f392e8"},{"name":"Nadia Kamal","title":"Business Systems Analyst","company":"AbbVie","profileId":"a5bc3222-3d81-4905-ae3c-490c4b3c7028"}]}},"speakers":[{"id":"speaker-1791432531405","bio":"

Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh is Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States and a career diplomat with more than three decades of experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. His previous roles include Additional Foreign Secretary for the Middle East, Economic Diplomacy and the Special Investment Facilitation Council, Pakistan’s first Permanent Representative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C. He has also represented Pakistan in major international negotiations involving the United Nations, G-77 and China, human rights, trade, and global economic affairs, bringing extensive experience in diplomacy, international relations, and economic engagement.

","name":"Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/krzuqosvgjy6ps5xq34o.jpg","order":0,"roles":[{"title":"Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States"},{"title":"Career Diplomat & Foreign Policy Leader"}],"title":"Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"","featured":true,"shortBio":"","profileId":"e48d25c9-097e-4a55-814a-4a493f628331","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792362415900","url":"https://mofa.gov.pk/washington","label":"Pakistan Embassy in USA","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"50c0a9c6-9688-4796-8db2-11a9fc88e28e","bio":"$1a","name":"Dr. Omar Lateef","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/lkcmhioyagkvinbznaym.jpg","order":1,"roles":[{"title":"President & CEO","company":"Rush University System"}],"title":"President & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Rush University System","shortBio":"","profileId":"d37fad22-829c-4972-8935-798356ee79cb","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792689130645","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarlateef/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792689201196","url":"https://www.rush.edu/","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"b0e42111-e18b-45e9-884a-13701f99ee7c","bio":"$1b","name":"Dr. Aadeel Akhtar","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/hqprpmzpaebgrwjzkdtu.jpg","order":2,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & CEO","company":"PSYONIC"}],"title":"Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"PSYONIC","featured":true,"shortBio":"

Dr. Aadeel Akhtar is the Founder and CEO of PSYONIC, a bionics company developing advanced, accessible prosthetic technology that brings science, engineering, and human-centered innovation together.

","profileId":"f72628ad-f713-41b6-b6f9-7411499d1e2a","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1790555086192","url":"https://www.psyonic.io/","platform":"website"},{"id":"link-1792360062418","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/aadeelakhtar/","platform":"linkedin"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"a9fa6c9b-8ab9-4514-b16a-02178a0453cb","bio":"$1c","name":"Kalsoom Lakhani","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/cjxkcbh3gtbb5swtf1rz.png","order":3,"roles":[{"title":"Co-Founder and General Partner","company":"i2i Ventures"}],"title":"Co-Founder and General Partner","status":"active","topics":["Startup Ecosystems","Entrepreneurship","Emerging Markets","Venture Capital"],"company":"i2i Ventures","featured":true,"shortBio":"

Kalsoom Lakhani has spent more than 15 years backing bold founders and building entrepreneurial infrastructure across emerging markets, from founding Invest2Innovate to co-founding Pakistan’s first female-led venture fund.

","profileId":"b1447815-51cd-4513-948b-49f4b922acc4","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792360866183","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalsoomlakhani","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792362613738","url":"https://www.i2iventures.com/","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1791613724717","bio":"

Imran Aftab is the Co-Founder and CEO of 10Pearls, a global digital transformation company helping businesses innovate and scale through technology. A bootstrapped entrepreneur, he has grown the company into a global organization with a presence across four continents, combining business growth with a commitment to social impact.

Before founding 10Pearls, Imran led global outsourcing at AOL–Time Warner and held product management roles at MicroStrategy, following an early career in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase. He also founded the Empower Foundation to support youth education, children, and women’s empowerment.

An EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2022 Mid-Atlantic Award winner, Imran brings perspectives on entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and building businesses that create both economic value and opportunity.

","name":"Imran Aftab","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/vwcj1a2bqew7lu9aqdoo.jpg","order":4,"roles":[{"title":"CEO","company":"10Pearls"}],"title":"CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"10Pearls","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Imran Aftab is Co-Founder & CEO of 10Pearls, a global digital transformation company.

","profileId":"da1e9596-51f1-4e95-84e3-a49305969b63","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1791914221150","url":"https://10pearls.com/","platform":"website"},{"id":"link-1792360302039","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/imranaftab/","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791354357782","bio":"

Faisal Jeddy is CEO of the Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), where he works to expand Pakistan’s IT exports and connect local technology companies with global opportunities. He brings more than two decades of experience in Silicon Valley, including senior leadership roles at BDO and, most recently, as Global Chief Strategy Officer at Systems Limited and Visionet. His expertise spans global growth strategy, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings, with a focus on helping businesses scale through strategic partnerships.

","name":"Faisal Jeddy","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/sdmpugbsgf14u9i2yyjm.jpg","order":5,"roles":[{"title":"CEO","company":"Pakistan Software Export Board"}],"title":"CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Pakistan Software Export Board","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Faisal Jeddy is CEO of PSEB, driving Pakistan's IT exports. He has over 20 years of Silicon Valley experience, including senior leadership at BDO, Systems Limited, and Visionet, focusing on global growth, M&A, and strategic partnerships.

","profileId":"6c8c929d-9f1d-41f2-92fc-26f31db0067f","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792360365841","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisaljeddy/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792360420907","url":"http://www.pseb.org.pk","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791914524289","bio":"

Fatima is the Chief Executive Officer of Abacus, an international technology, consulting, and outsourcing firm helping organizations transform and grow. With more than 25 years of experience, she brings expertise in digital transformation, corporate governance, strategic change, and human capital development across diverse industries.

Fatima began her career with Coopers & Lybrand International before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers. She holds an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences and a Corporate Director Certification from Harvard Business School. Her leadership experience includes board service at organizations such as Faysal Bank, LUMS, Kashf Foundation, and Bata Pakistan.

A champion of inclusive leadership and women’s empowerment, Fatima supports education, mentorship, and community development. She brings perspectives on navigating organizational change, developing future leaders, and aligning technology with sustainable business growth.

","name":"Fatima Asad-Said","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/wbtqgfgktf8bjbcjjuzu.jpg","order":6,"roles":[{"title":"CEO","company":"Abacus"}],"title":"CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Abacus","featured":false,"profileId":"8e8a211f-adbd-4f66-b903-bb5c9fc92233","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792360618572","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-asad-said-093b53a/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792360646340","url":"https://abacus-global.com/","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791210447355","bio":"

Tariq Khan is a Clinical Associate Professor of Leadership and Marketing at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, where he also leads the Executive Master’s in Marketing and Strategic Communications program. He is the founder of Global Diversity Marketing, a former senior executive at ING, Nationwide, and MetLife, and a former President of OPEN Global. An author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Tariq brings extensive experience in leadership, marketing, organizational strategy, and global business.

","name":"Tariq Khan","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/kmqj4kn4cik8dbr2wdcv.jpg","order":7,"roles":[{"title":"President","company":"OPEN Global"}],"title":"President","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"OPEN Global","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Tariq Khan is a Clinical Associate Professor at NYU’s School of Professional Studies, leading the Executive Master’s in Marketing program.

","profileId":"c7f92477-704e-40a8-aaff-aa5cc8e7ac10","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1784870069663","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/diversity/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792360722016","url":"https://www.sps.nyu.edu/faculty-directory/513-tariq-khan.html","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1791689069660","bio":"

Sania Khan is Chief Economist at Becoming You Labs, where she focuses on how AI is reorganizing work, and what that means for the people doing it.

The company has built an answer to the question underneath future-of-work anxiety: a scientifically validated assessment of the person, paired with real labor market data on the opportunity.

She spent more than 15 years in the public sector, as a senior economist at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and, earlier, at the White House and on Capitol Hill. She then served as Chief Economist at Eightfold AI, an HR tech unicorn.

","name":"Sania Khan","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/msyr8tf07miqacsoco3k.jpg","order":8,"roles":[{"title":"Chief Economist","company":"Becoming You Labs"}],"title":"Chief Economist","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Becoming You Labs","featured":false,"shortBio":"","profileId":"1e8ee5f5-1ebf-4688-93f3-d9031053c732","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792360780868","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/sania-khan1/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792360815002","url":"https://www.becomingyou.com/","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"05750f86-d154-4328-b937-a3ea43877652","bio":"$1d","name":"Khan Siddiqui","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/ersavggimf15bj8e3ygd.jpg","order":9,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & CEO","company":"HOPPR"}],"title":"Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"HOPPR","shortBio":"","profileId":"9b9a39cf-dbae-4359-8a4f-7a1e13125039","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792688745679","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/khansiddiqui/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792688922530","url":"https://www.hoppr.ai/","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1791443582145","bio":"$1e","name":"Zunaira Arshad","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/bmxvl8dhhbmfcctqat80.jpg","order":10,"roles":[{"title":"Investment Partner","company":"Watershed Ventures"}],"title":"Investment Partner","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Watershed Ventures","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Zunaira Arshad partners with visionary founders building early-stage companies across healthcare, B2B software, and AI. Her work centers on identifying and backing exceptional founders and high-potential markets.

","profileId":"17fbeafa-6dca-434c-926a-ebd91794d27d","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361007085","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/zunaira-arshad","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791613703167","bio":"

Kader Sakkaria is Global Chief Data Officer at Marsh, where he drives enterprise data strategy, AI-ready data foundations, and transformation at scale. Kader is also Chief AI Officer for State of Illinois. A seasoned technology and AI executive, he specializes in turning emerging technologies into measurable business outcomes through trusted data, responsible AI, and organizational change. He is an adjunct professor at Aurora University, a board leader across educational and nonprofit organizations, and the author of Chaos by Design. Kader is a frequent speaker on enterprise AI adoption, innovation, digital transformation, and the future of leadership.

","name":"Kader Sakkaria","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/pyeeoyzhfmanqgupplp9.jpg","order":11,"roles":[{"title":"Global Chief Data Officer","company":"Marsh"}],"title":"Global Chief Data Officer","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Marsh","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Kader Sakkaria is Global Chief Data Officer at Marsh, driving enterprise data strategy and AI transformation. A seasoned executive, he turns emerging tech into business outcomes via trusted data and responsible AI.

","profileId":"1287d5cc-ab61-42c5-8eec-7993c710bd8a","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361028062","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksakkaria/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792361050895","url":"http://www.corporate.marsh.com","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"f9bccde5-b5e2-4f4c-b7db-a20e3d84dd0d","bio":"

Rebecka Zavaleta is the CEO and Co-Founder of Paismo HR, a next-gen people automation platform, transforming HR operations through AI-optimization.

A UPenn alum with over a decade of leadership experience in California tech, Rebecka has built her career at the forefront of Big Data and Machine Learning, leading major initiatives working with technology giants including Google (YouTube), TikTok, and Meta. Drawing on her unique expertise in scaling data-driven products and cross-border operations, she has spent the last three years building high-growth teams and infrastructure across emerging markets such as Latin America and MENAP, particularly Pakistan and the UAE. Under her leadership, Paismo HR is redefining how businesses leverage AI to unlock workforce potential, optimize people operations, and scale globally.

","name":"Rebecka Zavaleta","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/mjicebs8yvdq0sc5cite.jpg","order":12,"roles":[{"title":"Co-Founder & CEO","company":"Paismo"}],"title":"Co-Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Paismo","shortBio":"","profileId":"6213b727-5386-4a01-bedb-3415e27bd3f7","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792195688013","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeckazavaleta/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792362427011","url":"https://paismo.com","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1791914360879","bio":"

Kewan Khawaja is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Techlogix, a global technology services and consulting company he has helped build into an international business. An entrepreneur and technology leader with decades of experience, Kewan has founded and led ventures spanning enterprise technology, digital transformation, and AI-driven financial services. He is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned his master's degree. Through his work, Kewan brings a global perspective on building technology companies, scaling innovation, and leveraging AI to address real-world business challenges.

","name":"Kewan Khawaja","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/ic1vofwicptxizobrxlg.jpg","order":13,"roles":[{"title":"Co-CEO","company":"Techlogix"}],"title":"Co-CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Techlogix","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Kewan Khawaja is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Techlogix, a global technology services firm. An entrepreneur with decades of experience, he has founded and led ventures in enterprise tech, digital transformation, and AI.

","profileId":"d88119cb-df27-4638-8f23-153822e55493","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361233345","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/kewan-khawaja-ba8b584/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792361683240","url":"https://www.techlogix.com/","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791512848586","bio":"

Ibraheem Alinur is the Vice President at 2Flo Ventures, an early-stage life sciences venture fund focused on advancing health equity. In this role, he leads the investment team, strategic partnerships, AI strategy, and portfolio company support. He also serves as the Director of Business Development for Vivacelle Bio, a late-stage nanoparticle company developing treatments for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and hypovolemia due to septic shock. As a serial entrepreneur with a background in software, hardware, and IoT, he brings a distinct engineering lens to investing and expanding healthcare access. He is a Gates Scholar with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University. Passionate about education, he is a lead mentor at Black Ambition and has run multiple fellowship programs, teaching the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and venture capital to over 1,000 students while also occasionally guest lecturing at his alma mater.

","name":"Ibraheem Alinur","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/umdfply14zee9ncsofzo.jpg","order":14,"roles":[{"title":"Vice President","company":"2Flo Ventures"}],"title":"Vice President","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"2Flo Ventures","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Ibraheem Alinur leads investments and strategy for health equity. He also directs business development for Vivacelle Bio.

","profileId":"788d27c6-37f9-4c72-8622-195b64a75af3","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792360959855","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ibraheemalinur","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791354634682","bio":"

Zaman Mehdi is Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago, bringing more than two decades of diplomatic experience to the role. A career Foreign Service officer, he previously served as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, with earlier postings in Washington, D.C., and Beijing. His leadership experience spans strategic planning, counterterrorism, and foreign affairs. He holds a degree from the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and a master’s in International Relations from the University of Peshawar.

","name":"Zaman Mehdi","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/hiuj2a0at1gvmbdeku1o.jpg","order":15,"roles":[{"title":"Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago","company":""}],"title":"Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Zaman Mehdi is the Consul General of Pakistan in Chicago with over 20 years of diplomatic experience.

","profileId":"18cdebbf-912e-40fd-9312-7999b2ae3ce1","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361199951","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaman-mehdi-995016266/","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791914574144","bio":"$1f","name":"Umair Javed","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/fhahavoaia4zhx4o1jig.jpg","order":16,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & CEO","company":"Tikxel"}],"title":"Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Tikxel","featured":false,"profileId":"dd5bd028-94a4-475d-98bc-a8c6aba6b2a0","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361084784","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/umairj/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792361193088","url":"https://tkxel.com/","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"cfc98361-8fec-4ec1-8f6a-f006e5247b46","bio":"

Aleeza Hashmi Shafi is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bitewing, a venture-backed vertical AI company modernizing how dental organizations manage payer relationships, insurance reimbursement, and revenue recovery. Prior to founding Bitewing, Aleeza was an investor at Bessemer Venture Partners, where she focused on enterprise software, vertical SaaS, and healthcare. She subsequently served as VP of Growth at Dentive, a dental services organization spanning more than 100 locations, where she helped lead strategic growth and operational initiatives. Aleeza began her career in product strategy at Microsoft. She earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Chicago with her husband and daughter.

","name":"Aleeza Hashmi","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/depptlwvz4zmdaducpcx.jpg","order":17,"roles":[{"title":"Co-Founder & CEO","company":"Bitewing"}],"title":"Co-Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Bitewing","shortBio":"","profileId":"0b44b6b0-b3ae-4102-86cb-579d800f8b86","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792163218855","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/aleeza-hashmi-shafi-0885985b/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792361900123","url":"https://www.bitewing.ai/","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1791613690340","bio":"

Dr. Adeel Ahmad is a seasoned entrepreneur with experience of starting, scaling and exiting multiple ventures in healthcare and technology space. A dermatopathologist by training. Currently, Adeel serves as Managing Partner of Avantage Health, a healthcare M&A firm and as Co-Founder of Medocs.AI, an integrated healthcare AI enabled technologies platform.

A firm believer in the power of gratitude and giving back, Dr. Ahmad is deeply committed to mentoring early-career physicians and fostering physician entrepreneurship. He holds academic appointments at several institutions nationally and internationally and is the Immediate Past President of the Pakistani American Pathologists Society (PAPS).

","name":"Dr. Adeel Ahmad","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/pqsdvehvblpptzkq4gql.jpg","order":18,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & Managing Partner","company":"Avantage Health"},{"title":"Co-Founder","company":"Medocs.ai"}],"title":"Founder & Managing Partner","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Avantage Health","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Dr. Adeel Ahmad is an experienced entrepreneur who has built, scaled, and exited ventures in healthcare and technology. AI. Dr. Ahmad is passionate about mentoring physicians and promoting physician entrepreneurship.

","profileId":"052c60af-f024-4749-9dfe-60b9d2b7fb34","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1791930992490","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/adeel-ahmad-m-d-mba-fcap-22307b41","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1791912312937","bio":"$20","name":"Ahsan Jamil","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/c4gx03tkybmjqyrehrzy.jpg","order":19,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & Managing General Partner","company":"sAi Capital"}],"title":"Founder & Managing General Partner","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"sAi Capital","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Ahsan Jamil is Founder & Managing General Partner of sAi Capital, a Pakistani growth equity firm. He led the first VC firm in Pakistan in 7 years to raise and deploy local capital.

","profileId":"a898ae33-e03f-4709-8d79-ba737197af2e","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361336719","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajamil1/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792361791282","url":"https://instagram.com/www.saiventurecap.com","platform":"instagram"},{"id":"link-1792362732686","url":"https://saiventurecap.com/","platform":"website"}]},{"id":"7024853d-231a-4b84-b749-810e5513e416","bio":"

Andrew Vandekerckhove is an investment and business advisory professional with over 20 years of experience in investment banking and private investing. He leads Golden Crow Capital, advising business owners on growth, strategy, and value creation. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Andrew brings deep financial expertise and a practical perspective on scaling businesses and building long-term value.

","name":"Andrew Vandekerckhove","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/lbitww4o70qn75cxtvh4.jpg","order":20,"roles":[{"title":"Founder & CEO","company":"Golden Crow Capital"}],"title":"Founder & CEO","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Golden Crow Capital","shortBio":"","profileId":"acdd0eea-1bf1-4318-96ad-45ebde74d768","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361364808","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-vandekerckhove-61976633/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792362303315","url":"https://www.goldencrowcapital.com/","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"d2a00b13-3be9-457b-bad6-6871098159bc","bio":"$21","name":"Omair Siraj","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/nomxryeylpp8nibc5tsu.jpg","order":21,"roles":[{"title":"CEO & Founder","company":"Chestnut Health"}],"title":"CEO & Founder","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Chestnut Health","shortBio":"","profileId":"08040773-5b2e-4f89-847b-121bafcbbc42","socialLinks":[],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"728f3632-b152-4bde-ac78-a7dfbcf386a6","bio":"$22","name":"Noor Aftab","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/ojcguphjenluiexzhpju.jpg","order":22,"roles":[{"title":"Sr. Program Manager","company":"Amazon Web Services"}],"title":"Sr. Program Manager","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Amazon Web Services","shortBio":"","profileId":"455f466f-4ae5-4694-b44a-9eaf177fd8a3","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792275528143","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nooraftab/","platform":"linkedin"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"04bb7472-7cf9-4fb7-8985-b729db47fcc8","bio":"

Jason Graf is the Chief Operating Officer of Chestnut Health Company, bringing extensive experience in healthcare operations, clinical leadership, and business growth. A certified physician assistant specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, Jason combines hands-on clinical expertise with strategic leadership to scale healthcare services, improve patient outcomes, and enhance operational excellence.

","name":"Jason G","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/cek17bk81e74vn4qz0yc.jpg","order":23,"roles":[{"title":"Chief Operating Officer","company":"Chestnut Health Company"}],"title":"Chief Operating Officer","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Chestnut Health Company","shortBio":"","profileId":"7ba31ea9-267b-4e96-9037-2e5a3be7a23c","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792361397270","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgraf57/","platform":"linkedin"},{"id":"link-1792362389988","url":"http://www.chestnuthealth.com","platform":"website"}],"marketingStatus":"ready"},{"id":"speaker-1792689201970","bio":"

Babar Rathore is the President of OPEN Chicago and his professional background combines entrepreneurship, and risk management with a commitment to strengthening Chicago’s business and professional community.

Through OPEN Chicago, Babar promotes connections among entrepreneurs, executives, and emerging professionals, with an emphasis on mentorship, shared learning, and collaboration. His leadership focuses on creating opportunities for people to exchange ideas, build relationships, and support one another’s growth.

","name":"Babar Rathore","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/iloplucduc9wzkublkrn.jpg","order":24,"roles":[{"title":"President","company":"OPEN-Chicago"}],"title":"President","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"OPEN-Chicago","featured":false,"shortBio":"","profileId":"832fe75f-ffcc-42cc-92b6-24f8fc1b3a08","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792689511126","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/babarrathore/","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1792689211268","bio":"

COO Open Global and GM Futurity First Insurance Group

","name":"Aamir Chalisa","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/gfab9uceq99qcbjmtjzx.jpg","order":25,"roles":[{"title":"General Manager","company":"Futurity First Insurance Group"}],"title":"General Manager","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Futurity First Insurance Group","featured":false,"shortBio":"","profileId":"1ae48c21-0146-4a1a-a067-90ec00f392e8","socialLinks":[]},{"id":"speaker-1792689217541","bio":"","name":"Ahsan Rehman","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/hf1ahtjcddj66tbfptec.jpg","order":26,"roles":[{"title":"Technical Lead watsonX Orchestrate","company":"IBM"}],"title":"Technical Lead watsonX Orchestrate","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"IBM","featured":false,"profileId":"4c522f89-6818-4c8d-90f9-895ca1221f02","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792615690441","url":"mailto:s.ahsanrehman@gmail.com","platform":"email"},{"id":"link-1792615711536","url":"https://linkedin.com/in/Ahsanrehmans","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1792689228631","bio":"

In the fast-moving pharmaceutical world, data and automation are more than just technical requirements—they are the backbone of compliance, patient safety, and supply chain efficiency.

As a Business Analyst at AbbVie, I leverage deep expertise in manufacturing systems, product traceability, and serialization to bridge the gap between complex engineering architectures and seamless shop-floor operations. My background spans roles across leading technology, health, and enterprise supply-chain organizations—including AbbVie, CVS Health, and Motorola Solutions—giving me a well-rounded perspective on how to deliver tech solutions that align perfectly with stringent global manufacturing standards.

I love collaborating with automation engineers, business stakeholders, and project managers to turn complex technical challenges into clear, actionable system workflows that keep operations moving forward flawlessly.

","name":"Nadia Kamal","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/btmcrdrhk23k1j2c5m4p.jpg","order":27,"roles":[{"title":"Business Systems Analyst","company":"AbbVie"}],"title":"Business Systems Analyst","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"AbbVie","featured":false,"shortBio":"

As a Business Analyst at AbbVie, I leverage expertise in manufacturing systems, traceability, and serialization to bridge engineering and shop-floor operations.

","profileId":"a5bc3222-3d81-4905-ae3c-490c4b3c7028","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792641722735","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-kamal-3227a8b1?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1792731791456","bio":"","name":"Sadia Rimsha","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/h6adh2tewcnqm2sd97bo.jpg","order":0,"roles":[{"title":"Data Engineering Student | Coordinator OPEN Chicago","company":"Code the dream"}],"title":"Data Engineering Student | Coordinator OPEN Chicago","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"Code the dream","featured":false,"shortBio":"

Sadia is a data engineering student and a coordinator on the OPEN executive board, with a background in event management, Salesforce, and nonprofit work. Sadia brings that organizing experience to the stage.

","profileId":"8f04cece-1f38-4037-8427-50693795fed1","socialLinks":[{"id":"link-1792618475906","url":"https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadia-rimsha?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android","platform":"linkedin"}]},{"id":"speaker-1792746090592","bio":"","name":"Shunaiber Tauhid","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/lt9goltbftuxae64if12.jpg","order":0,"title":"","status":"active","topics":[],"company":"","featured":false,"profileId":"f4e8119e-917a-4b63-a128-2af155a28d35","socialLinks":[]}],"sponsors":{"style":{"preset":"cards","cardStyle":"outlined","tileClick":"modal","background":"none","tierColors":"accent","accentColor":"#0F766E","logoTreatment":"color"},"tiers":[{"id":"platinum-tier","name":"Platinum","tier":"platinum","logoSize":"xlarge"},{"id":"gold-tier","name":"Gold","tier":"gold","logoSize":"large"},{"id":"tier-1792613566892","name":"Silver","tier":"s","logoSize":"medium"},{"id":"tier-1791254951444","name":"In Kind","tier":"g","logoSize":"small"},{"id":"tier-1791353016820","kind":"partner","name":"Partners","tier":"p","logoSize":"small"}],"inquiry":{"ctaType":"form","enabled":false,"heading":"Become a Sponsor","ctaLabel":"Sponsorship Form","formSlug":"sponsor-apply","description":"Sponsor at our upcoming 2026 Annual Conference","contactEmail":"info@open-chicago.org","prospectusUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/file/upload/sponsor-materials/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/1784975319345_OPEN_Chicago_2026_Sponsorship_Kit.pdf","prospectusLabel":"Sponsorship Packages"},"marquee":{"gap":0.15,"speed":50,"logoHeight":5.5},"navLabel":"Sponsors","packages":[{"id":"package-1785041355282","name":"Annual Conference Sponsorship","pdfUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/file/upload/sponsor-materials/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/1785041370559_OPEN_Chicago_2026_Sponsorship_Kit.pdf","formSlug":"sponsor-apply","tierLinks":[{"tier":"Lead/Event Sponsor","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-conference-2026-lead-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Platinum","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ideas-to-impact-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Pitch Competition Sponsor","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-conference-2026-pitch-competition-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Lunch or Networking Sponsor","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/annual-conference-2026-lunchnetworking-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Gold","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ideas-to-impact-gold-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Silver","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ideas-to-impact-silver-sponsorship"},{"tier":"Bronze","externalUrl":"https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ideas-to-impact-bronze-sponsorship"}]}],"sponsors":[{"id":"sponsor-1791353676605","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/yflxd6njlltfa84fdaws.png","name":"The Consulate General of Pakistan, Chicago","tier":"p","status":"active","profileId":"4c31b383-8329-4de0-85f9-a609e72aa217"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569522623","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/we0bkbsqkelmmmpzo5b4.png","name":"Chestnut Health","tier":"platinum","profileId":"6280fda7-71fe-4f0f-95ff-152db5c26acc"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569550606","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/q8kjv39iyyempwybnrb3.png","name":"Tech Destination Pakistan","tier":"platinum","profileId":"7ab3bbb4-e478-47f1-b9d9-46c40192c164"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569557889","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/buohxlicagaliaxrhsb4.png","name":"Pakistan Software Export Board","tier":"platinum","profileId":"00ee1f1b-0553-4736-b8df-388b706e361f"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569579990","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/mji578riyn75iarb3myh.png","name":"MyFinJourney","tier":"platinum","profileId":"57139f45-9383-46c0-9a29-b4fc6de73ed6"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569585598","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/rxkiua9gxtwqvfms3oqo.jpg","name":"Veloce Capital","tier":"platinum","profileId":"1331be9d-3fdb-4620-96d2-328539504b7b"},{"id":"sponsor-1792569608795","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/jjo7hjbntgxycklxbm96.png","name":"Dialysis Care Center","tier":"gold","website":"https://dccdialysis.com","profileId":"38fa0404-dc0e-43cb-bfe2-cd726b6b14cc","description":"Dialysis Care Center is a physician-owned and physician-led organization offering in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis, along with patient education and personalized support to help patients manage treatment in the setting that best fits their needs."},{"id":"sponsor-1792569612923","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/ewht1ume2ntlj0kclkqi.jpg","name":"Kidney Care Center","tier":"gold","website":"https://kidneycares.com/","profileId":"06482a07-b4f7-461a-828b-7cbd2133e51b","description":"Kidney Care Center is a physician-led network of nephrologists specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney conditions. Through its network of clinics, KCC provides comprehensive services for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, kidney stones, and kidney transplant care, with a focus on personalized treatment and coordinated patient support."},{"id":"sponsor-1792569727913","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/cmnunjxkno9jx6lsc9h8.png","name":"Signwell","tier":"g","website":"https://www.signwell.com/","profileId":"88b705b7-7385-43b0-8888-1835bbbcdec3","description":"OPEN Community Offer: Switch to SignWell and get 50% off the first 6 months of yearly plans for business and operations teams; email support@signwell.com for the \"Ecosystem\" discount."},{"id":"sponsor-1792569840644","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/yshfisuyetcavalkfhn3.png","name":"Confexo","tier":"g","website":"https://confexo.com/","profileId":"2a0856c8-5950-4918-8890-4da9763fe856"},{"id":"sponsor-1792613624611","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/x9t4wozm6r9mor1cewat.png","name":"Nexus Healthcare Management","tier":"s","website":"https://nexuscaremanagement.com/","profileId":"957f238b-9c26-4f2d-80b5-c3c51fc70b21"}],"arrangement":"levels","packageEmail":{"autoSend":false},"sectionTitle":"Sponsors & Partners","contentSections":[],"opportunityTile":{"enabled":true},"sectionSubtitle":"Thank you to everyone making this possible. OPEN Chicago runs on the support of sponsors and partners who believe in bringing this community together.","acceptingSponsors":false,"packagesDisplayMode":"unified","featureSingleSponsor":false,"previousSponsorsLabel":"Past Sponsors","previousSponsorsDisplay":"hidden"},"templates":{"hero":"split","schedule":"timeline","speakers":"grid","sponsors":"wall"},"buttonStyle":"filled","page_config":{"speakers":{"display":{"grid":{"largeScreenColumns":3,"smallScreenColumns":1,"mediumScreenColumns":2},"cardStyle":"default","sortOrder":"alphabetical","cardFields":{"bio":false,"name":true,"image":false,"title":false,"company":true,"socialIcons":false,"socialButtons":false}},"showNavigation":false,"enableDetailModal":false}},"shadowStyle":"subtle","borderRadius":"soft","designSystem":"summit","customization":{"colors":{"primary":"#207040","secondary":"#207040"},"typography":{"fontFamily":{"body":"Inter","heading":"Manrope"}}},"spacingDensity":"compact","speakerVariant":"list","componentVariants":{"buttonStyle":"solid","heroVariant":"split","speakerCard":"default"},"recommendedLayouts":{"hero":"centered","schedule":"timeline","speakers":"grid","sponsors":"marquee"}},"pageConfig":{"hero":{"style":"center","theme":{"id":"modern-minimal-v1"},"content":{"cta":{"primary":{"url":"https://summit.open-chicago.org/tickets","text":"Tickets"}},"body":"Beyond Intelligence, Building What's Next","badge":{"text":"","color":""},"media":{"image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/events/open-chicago-annual-conference/hero/crv2zknaalfdhm0luwid.png","enabled":true,"imageAlt":"","placement":"right","aspectRatio":"wide"},"visual":{"url":"https://media.confexo.com/video/upload/events/open-chicago-annual-conference/hero-video/toqt5qipgcvtkurqqdmx.mp4","type":"video","poster":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/events/open-chicago-annual-conference/hero-video-poster/fwjrtxjcejhbuwf7jrof.jpg"},"display":{"height":"immersive","showDate":true,"showTime":true,"alignment":"left","showImage":true,"showVenue":true,"showCountdown":true,"showSponsorStrip":false},"dateText":"","headline":"Annual Conference 2026","timeText":"9:00 am CT","venueText":"","background":{"type":"theme","color":"#0e2f2d","image":"","motion":false,"preset":"noise-grain","textColor":"light","accentColor":"","buttonColor":"","overlayOpacity":0,"secondaryColor":""},"subheadline":"OPEN Chicago","announcementText":"Low Tickets"},"enabled":true,"variant":"video"},"pages":{"faq":false,"home":true,"rsvp":false,"about":false,"venue":false,"tickets":true,"virtual":false,"schedule":true,"speakers":true,"sponsors":true},"theme":{"id":"modern-minimal-v1","name":"Modern Minimal"},"tickets":{"types":[],"zeffyEmbedUrl":null},"speakers":{"header":{"layout":"band","background":{"style":"glow"}},"display":{"grid":{"largeScreenColumns":4,"smallScreenColumns":1,"mediumScreenColumns":2},"cardStyle":"compact","sortOrder":"manual","cardFields":{"bio":true,"name":true,"image":true,"title":true,"company":true,"socialIcons":true,"socialButtons":true}},"introText":"","showSearch":false,"showIntroText":false,"showNavigation":false,"topicFilterMode":"off","lineupStatusText":"The rest of the 2026 lineup is being finalized. Check back soon for updates.","showPastSpeakers":true,"stackedCardStyle":{"colors":["#246b40","#21213b"],"alignment":"alternating","colorMode":"alternating"},"enableDetailModal":true,"smallLineupLayout":"rotator","viewBioButtonText":"View bio","pastSpeakersLayout":"grid","initialVisibleCount":24,"pastSpeakersEyebrow":"","showLineupStatusBar":false,"lineupStatusLinkText":"","heroAutoRotateSeconds":6},"homeSections":{"cta":{},"sections":[{"id":"main-hero","type":"main-hero","order":0,"content":{"backgroundColor":"1a1a1a"}},{"id":"sponsors-preview","type":"sponsors-preview","order":1,"title":"Sponsors and Partneres","content":{"title":"Presented by","layout":"marquee","logoGap":"md","subtitle":"","textColor":"#202c27","accentColor":"#245844","showInquiry":false,"headingStyle":"label","logoMaxWidth":"lg","viewAllLabel":"View all Sponsors and Partners","labelPlacement":"beside","showTierLabels":true,"accentTextColor":"#ffffff","backgroundColor":"#d9d9d9","marqueeLogoSize":"lg","showViewAllLink":true,"showSponsorLogos":true},"textColor":"#202c27","background":"default"},{"id":"home-hero-1790959510368","type":"hero","order":2,"title":"","content":{"title":"Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026","height":"standard","scheme":"auto","slides":[{"id":"hero-slide-1790960921075","title":"","layout":"overlay","imageUrl":""}],"eyebrow":"Pre-Conference Partner Event","variant":"details","bodyHtml":"

Join enterprise technology leaders, product teams, and decision-makers for curated conversations around digital transformation, product development, engineering capacity, and strategic technology partnerships.

🕞 Friday, October 23, 2026 - 2:00 PM onwards

📍 320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606

","subtitle":"Meet leading Pakistani technology companies ready to support your 2027 technology priorities.","ctaAction":"none","textColor":"#f2f7fa","accentColor":"#aee5e0","bodyDisplay":"modal","designPreset":"photo-story","backgroundType":"image","overlayOpacity":0.72,"accentTextColor":"#142838","backgroundColor":"#142838","backgroundImage":"/images/hero-templates/chicago-night.webp","secondaryCtaHref":"/forms/pak-us-tech-connect","secondaryCtaText":"Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026 Registration Form","detailsPanelStyle":"translucent"},"spacing":"normal","textColor":"#f2f7fa","background":"default","titleAlignment":"left"},{"id":"home-people-grid-1791355762376","type":"people-grid","order":3,"title":"Companies attending the Pakistan-US Tech Connect 2026","content":{"mode":"companies","people":[],"scheme":"auto","columns":3,"logoGap":"md","showBio":false,"companies":[{"id":"c-1791355812324","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/f6ndfadj7ilz1gg3prsq.png","name":"Systems Limited","website":"https://www.systemsltd.com","profileId":"df62cb29-c4a0-4d86-b394-ff975100c5d1","description":"Global digital transformation and IT services company with 40+ years of experience in digital, data and AI, cloud, digital banking and enterprise technology, operating across 16+ countries."},{"id":"c-1791355870380","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/grgiz8o4abelp1ngmp8h.png","name":"10Pearls","website":"https://www.10pearls.com","profileId":"a18c2eaa-204d-4290-9cf5-c57a2dd31a53","description":"AI-first digital technology partner headquartered in the Washington, DC area, with 1,400+ professionals building products across healthcare, financial services, energy, education and high-tech."},{"id":"c-1791356037986","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/ftnlsw7dc04cptbz8syy.jpg","name":"Netsol Technologies","website":"https://www.netsoltech.com","profileId":"645dbaea-f5b1-42be-baa3-5d87c82abae9","description":"Global provider of AI-enabled asset finance and leasing software, serving automotive and equipment OEMs, auto captives and financial institutions in 30+ countries."},{"id":"c-1791356127319","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/uoqjsnpfps9pbcqyivdu.jpg","name":"IBEX Global Solutions","website":"https://www.ibex.co","profileId":"b3f38e92-973d-46bd-853a-858bcb290563","description":"Global provider of business process outsourcing and customer experience services, supporting leading U.S. brands with technical support, sales and back-office operations."},{"id":"c-1791356482330","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/lzmpeif3brb9ag0q2omh.jpg","name":"Techlogix Pakistan","website":"https://www.techlogix.com/","profileId":"fa8d94b2-51a6-4b15-92ca-1f641c2bf93d","description":"Boston-headquartered AI and engineering services firm founded by two MIT graduates, serving regulated industries including financial services and healthcare for 30 years."},{"id":"c-1791356536214","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/bafa2ivbvtqsbl6o1nz2.png","name":"Arbisoft Global","website":"https://www.arbisoft.com","profileId":"6d6dc7f6-a1a7-4184-b8be-49608632edca","description":"Design-led technology company with 750+ engineers delivering open-source and AI-enabled solutions. Clients include KAYAK, 2U/edX, MIT, Indeed and The World Bank."},{"id":"c-1791356581048","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/yxm4tuzsxn88ezczmj2f.png","name":"Folio3 Software","website":"https://www.folio3.com","profileId":"e19739ac-c0a1-4604-80fa-b934c4649836","description":"Silicon Valley-based technology company with 700+ professionals that has delivered 5,000+ projects in AI, data, ERP, Salesforce and custom software across agriculture, healthcare and real estate."},{"id":"c-1791356608206","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/ingzlley4gzi7yiq7ksh.png","name":"CureMD","website":"https://www.curemd.com","profileId":"8c722a82-af5d-4150-a5ff-4f19b3b3c962","description":"Healthcare technology company offering an AI-powered platform that unites EHR, practice management, revenue cycle management and patient engagement for U.S. providers."},{"id":"c-1791356637957","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/jx01udwiylsjcharhl0p.png","name":"Tkxel","website":"https://www.tkxel.com","profileId":"23bd129a-2e9c-47c3-8413-352e38f2463b","description":"AI and digital transformation company combining strategy, design and engineering to help enterprises, SMBs and startups build scalable products. CMMI and ISO certified."},{"id":"c-1791356678644","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/pf0qrbziy1ejhalxudcz.png","name":"Strategic Systems International","website":"https://www.ssidecisions.com","profileId":"de1ed5e0-7de3-4d48-aec6-a9b59ab16240","description":"Chicago-based AI, data and digital consulting firm helping organizations turn complex data into insight across fintech, healthcare, manufacturing and supply chain."},{"id":"c-1791356731545","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/tlux2au2ehketfvljjup.png","name":"Emumba","website":"https://emumba.com/","profileId":"ca4c2b3b-7c09-4be2-a30f-3880e72aac2e","description":"Global technology services company specializing in AI-powered product engineering, data, cloud and enterprise automation. AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner."},{"id":"c-1791356761412","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/szm5xnqzfwl0cbohcuoc.png","name":"Abacus","website":"https://www.abacus-global.com","profileId":"9b1c6720-bc71-4c4a-afed-4e68d05cf780","description":"Technology, outsourcing and people solutions company with 5,000+ employees, serving BFSI and public sector clients in AI, cloud, data and cybersecurity. Creator of Devenex for AI governance."},{"id":"c-1791356786711","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/orgknulmiztqtgflehgu.png","name":"TMC","website":"https://www.tmcltd.com","profileId":"6cc8a654-05d4-47b0-8782-a080482c3704","description":"Technology consulting and systems integration company and SAP Gold Partner and Qlik Master Reseller, helping clients modernize operations through enterprise applications and BI."},{"id":"c-1791356846662","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/fc8lbb3wjj6ijwbgmrvi.png","name":"Nextbridge","website":"https://www.nextbridge.com","profileId":"3181e38d-b6f0-4353-b776-8efe563e846f","description":"AI-led product engineering company that extends U.S. teams through dedicated engineers (vTeams), with AI, DevOps and ERP practices backed by ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type II."},{"id":"c-1791356897709","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/b8z15maegilkdgxi0que.png","name":"Excellence Delivered","website":"https://www.exdnow.com/","profileId":"ea512985-8007-4a7a-901a-b26f636fc3ef","description":"Enterprise technology and digital transformation company and SAP Platinum Partner, with 500+ SAP consultants and 1,000+ projects across SAP, Oracle, Salesforce, AI and IoT."},{"id":"c-1791356944325","logo":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-companies/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/pfgjo2efxfttar7sm45g.png","name":"Addo AI","website":"https://www.addo.ai","profileId":"a0b21639-60b9-49ba-ab1d-efa720d04d13","description":"Singapore-headquartered AI and data consultancy specializing in Agentic and Generative AI, serving healthcare, financial services and manufacturing clients including Johnson & Johnson and Mercy."}],"textColor":"#202c27","avatarSize":"md","accentColor":"#245844","avatarShape":"circle","collapsible":true,"logoColumns":{"mobile":3,"tablet":3,"desktop":6},"logoMaxSize":"full","peopleLayout":"stacked","peoplePreset":"directory","collapseScope":"phones","logoTileStyle":"white","logosPerGroup":3,"accentTextColor":"#ffffff","backgroundColor":"#eceef3","companiesLayout":"logos","showCompanyName":true,"peopleTileDetail":"name-role","autoplayCompanies":true,"peopleClickBehavior":"modal","collapsedVisibleCount":6},"spacing":"normal","textColor":"#202c27","background":"default","titleAlignment":"left"},{"id":"speakers-preview","type":"speakers-preview","order":4,"title":"","content":{"title":"Speakers","columns":3,"showBio":false,"textColor":"#f4f8f0","avatarSize":"lg","maxDisplay":12,"accentColor":"#d4edb0","featuredOnly":false,"peopleLayout":"overlay","peoplePreset":"gradient-spotlight","accentTextColor":"#102c25","backgroundColor":"#102c25","peopleTileDetail":"name-role","peoplePhoneLayout":"compact","peopleClickBehavior":"modal"},"textColor":"#f4f8f0","background":"default"},{"id":"home-spotlight-1791528883682","type":"spotlight","order":5,"title":"","content":{"slides":[{"id":"spotlight-slide-1791528893271","title":"Five Finalists, One Stage","visual":"image","ctaHref":"/pitch","ctaText":"Learn more","eyebrow":"Pitch @ OPEN Chicago","imageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-spotlight/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/spotlight-slide-1791528893271/rdt0ln5bauibfcdozduf.jpg","description":"Five early-stage startups will pitch live on the main stage on October 24, with 10 minutes each, competing for a $5,000 prize. Judges and the audience will vote. Finalists will be announced soon!"},{"id":"spotlight-slide-1791529786868","show":{"popup":false,"caption":true,"details":false,"website":false},"items":[{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791530965295","name":"Kalsoom Lakhani","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/cjxkcbh3gtbb5swtf1rz.png","caption":"Co-Founder and General Partner, i2i Ventures","profileId":"b1447815-51cd-4513-948b-49f4b922acc4","description":"$23"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791531042179","name":"Ibraheem Alinur","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/umdfply14zee9ncsofzo.jpg","caption":"Vice President, 2Flo Ventures","profileId":"788d27c6-37f9-4c72-8622-195b64a75af3","description":"Ibraheem Alinur is the Vice President at 2Flo Ventures, an early-stage life sciences venture fund focused on advancing health equity. In this role, he leads the investment team, strategic partnerships, AI strategy, and portfolio company support. He also serves as the Director of Business Development for Vivacelle Bio, a late-stage nanoparticle company developing treatments for multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and hypovolemia due to septic shock. As a serial entrepreneur with a background in software, hardware, and IoT, he brings a distinct engineering lens to investing and expanding healthcare access. He is a Gates Scholar with a degree in Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences from Northwestern University. Passionate about education, he is a lead mentor at Black Ambition and has run multiple fellowship programs, teaching the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and venture capital to over 1,000 students while also occasionally guest lecturing at his alma mater."},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791531049611","name":"Zunaira Arshad","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/bmxvl8dhhbmfcctqat80.jpg","caption":"Investment Partner, Watershed Ventures","profileId":"17fbeafa-6dca-434c-926a-ebd91794d27d","description":"$24"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791531475424","name":"Imran Abbas","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/speakers/rm0pcrk9uanif8abmynd.jpg","caption":"Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Start Equity Ventures","profileId":"bf3036de-7a77-4477-80da-c3cb8be42f35","description":"Imran Abbas brings nearly three decades of technology and leadership experience. He is the Founder and General Partner of Start Equity, an ethical venture capital firm, and the CEO of Agiletek Solutions, an IT solutions and services firm based in Ashburn, Virginia. With a team of 175 employees, Agiletek serves federal and commercial clients and delivers technology programs for agencies including the Department of Energy and the Bonneville Power Administration. The firm specializes in ServiceNow, SAP and DevSecOps solutions built to meet federal compliance requirements. Imran holds a Bachelor of Science from Johns Hopkins University, an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, and a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University."}],"title":"The Judges","visual":"people","eyebrow":"Pitch @ OPEN Chicago","cardAlign":"center","tileShape":"headshot","photoStyle":"circle","description":"Presenting our judges for the 2026 Pitch Competition. Judges will grade each pitch on innovation, market potential, business model, and team.","peopleLayout":"featured"},{"id":"spotlight-slide-1791776248502","show":{"popup":false,"caption":false},"items":[{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776760728","name":"UnitSense","profileId":"0b440868-0c00-4284-b519-dbce8251ccbc","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776782032","name":"Unisn Labs","profileId":"dc92c0cf-85d6-4c13-87ee-afeeeb15e7ad","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776800889","name":"GateKeep Health","profileId":"c5c2e94a-cdd1-4ed2-8ded-67dd7dabfabe","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776818840","name":"ProBer","profileId":"30f15cc5-6c7f-49ed-a71d-db539d5e5b54","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776840548","name":"The Black Journey","profileId":"fc627acc-e6b4-4026-8788-6c6165ff110c","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776850012","name":"GiftWellSoon","profileId":"384502a6-af35-4298-b527-374ee8ac32a8","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776863983","name":"XO Marshmallow","profileId":"29fef7a2-12a0-41ac-b702-132de8912dbf","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776873796","name":"Lil Mama's Sweets and Treats LLC","profileId":"c87795d1-19ca-47e4-aa8f-254ed81040b0","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776891405","name":"Tiny Mighty News","profileId":"cba0de58-8152-46e4-b68f-e669dc6da718","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776900996","name":"Deals Plug","profileId":"c661c92b-0cd6-4269-856c-0671212eca0c","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776958820","name":"PROOF","profileId":"5052af01-f48d-4cb6-8266-aa034d6ba4f8","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776970330","name":"Harmoniie Health Innovations","profileId":"10b7a532-98c1-47ff-b1a0-7ff780177eea","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776982329","name":"SynerVoxAI","profileId":"ff333e99-649b-4860-9a30-34510099704a","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791776992596","name":"Nebraska Innovation Labs","profileId":"e7b8bcd2-ea35-4a7b-90c3-540985e80f44","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777000461","name":"Good Life Games","profileId":"892cb730-0709-4522-bb90-64dcc6da1cb9","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777012337","name":"Interplay","profileId":"43ef9717-cad1-4e87-bb3f-7eb42f54256f","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777027568","name":"Blind Tiger","profileId":"680e8695-7544-4df1-acf6-127916c5966e","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777036386","name":"Looped","profileId":"b8e8d593-ef78-4c38-841a-bc10226b9c55","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777046480","name":"Amanah Fund","profileId":"00b64c6f-c9c5-4e80-a02b-88c7c1f8dc17","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777057088","name":"Joyfluent","profileId":"0a0ac98f-b885-449e-8bdb-5ed5e31db49f","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777071431","name":"Linked Soles","profileId":"c7ad1d95-fd2c-4a7d-90cb-41ed2a47f994","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777140973","name":"SecureDev Workspace","profileId":"3244aa02-d670-4f9f-969a-1cd530741e3c","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777151626","name":"SAWRIX","profileId":"db8f0eaa-bae1-4aef-994f-057714bcfe1a","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791777159156","name":"LITE Strategies","profileId":"6d2b6a6d-59c8-42af-b0f2-c62b18ef8380","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960026342","name":"Tabby","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/hln8ae9mfwgyu3wdroqo.jpg","profileId":"5c8fa9b2-3953-4ea5-8331-8613e72dc65a","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960030540","name":"Bizbricks","profileId":"d788ce36-c9ed-412c-a6a3-3f6636dccf81","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960042035","name":"MIRA","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/y9c9mcxb6cg2olkdeci1.jpg","profileId":"1509143b-8e9a-4529-94aa-d29d87258a10","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960045357","name":"Dtocs","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/lqqxuvegndkojlbaykpd.jpg","profileId":"28ef7d0e-eaf0-4143-9379-e06d6db8f62d","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960057407","name":"iGrow","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/mkebduwoplg70wv7zcgq.png","profileId":"0ac2e7ee-2c6a-465b-bba9-8a22ce74ba9e","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960063891","name":"CRE8 Space","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/mrllh0bwlxtwiz5rtea7.jpg","profileId":"424d0e29-47ed-4fde-9b17-b175f03600ba","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960075757","name":"Tuka","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/qnaja1vof1zslm8wnken.jpg","profileId":"8b53f962-d987-4b73-896f-c2c45494b1c6","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960079741","name":"Starchild Lovechild Productions","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/asbl8yggytm7brbltzcs.jpg","profileId":"3d8b7d80-428f-4f58-b2a5-04d8e5d40d78","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960093775","name":"Big Island Smokehouse","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/fihrxufauz8c90jmvuie.jpg","profileId":"256d2486-005d-4f2a-b9eb-9057cc501753","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960097574","name":"Bao Dumpling","profileId":"9cbe86b8-af8f-4db9-b56b-ddd37bfd6063","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960107589","name":"Veggie Talks","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/vnxommyojunhavyhonia.jpg","profileId":"79fc1c30-c230-4b65-814d-dcfcfb45890e","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960114349","name":"Words Liive","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/olod8njdovgae2ircbnv.png","profileId":"3ab8a79f-c338-4952-b302-b599ec28a5d0","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960124724","name":"Forequence","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/cwieodla5etffjd8su47.png","profileId":"aea48c77-91a5-4d75-ac3d-f40192186c33","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960132791","name":"Video Pro Learning","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/qqbhx2tcyyw1ama0ij1k.jpg","profileId":"1cc339b5-8e4a-4569-8072-dc3cd7e32cca","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960140592","name":"Jiylo","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/l48ajx3smafjx2p5wrto.jpg","profileId":"e24dd87e-8364-4fc3-b1cd-71109598ef30","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960146791","name":"Royce+Reign","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/ov2wymtufvrxegncajhw.jpg","profileId":"4113cbf3-b2c3-4652-bc98-9bc79aa4f7e8","profileKind":"company"},{"id":"spotlight-tile-1791960154376","name":"OnSight","image":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/sponsors/m8zwvv77hin4f7zu8z2r.png","profileId":"39bb753c-8f27-4089-88e9-be6a7ea2a383","profileKind":"company"}],"title":"Pitch Applicants","visual":"people","eyebrow":"","wallSize":"dense","tileShape":"logo","description":"Meet the companies that applied to Pitch@OPENChicago. Thank you to all our applicants!","peopleLayout":"wall"}],"autoplay":true,"textColor":"#203a30","accentColor":"#245844","accentTextColor":"#ffffff","backgroundColor":"#edf4f0","intervalSeconds":6},"textColor":"#203a30","background":"default"},{"id":"home-hero-1790662866416","type":"hero","order":6,"title":"Flight Club Social","content":{"title":"Post Conference Social","height":"compact","scheme":"auto","ctaHref":"/tickets","ctaText":"Register Now","variant":"split","bodyHtml":"$25","subtitle":"Join fellow conference attendees at Flight Club Chicago for a relaxed evening of food, conversation, and darts. Meet new people, reconnect with fellow attendees, and unwind after a full day of ideas and conversations.","ctaAction":"url","heroImage":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-sections/ssqutuixcybfx9ggcdid.jpg","textColor":"#f4f8f0","accentColor":"#d4edb0","bodyDisplay":"modal","designPreset":"brand-feature","backgroundType":"preset","overlayOpacity":0.72,"accentTextColor":"#102c25","backgroundColor":"#102c25","backgroundPreset":"gradient-mesh","bodyTriggerLabel":"Learn More","secondaryCtaHref":"","secondaryCtaText":""},"spacing":"normal","textColor":"#f4f8f0","background":"default","titleAlignment":"left"},{"id":"home-venue-map-1784441495543","type":"venue-map","order":7,"title":"","content":{"style":"showcase","height":360,"slides":[{"id":"venue-slide-1789529797375","title":"About the Venue","layout":"media-first","address":"320 South Canal Street \nChicago, Illinois 60606","eyebrow":"Venue","imageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-venue/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/slides/venue-slide-1789529797375/pxj9vbi4bobxc4kqquhb.jpg","actionUrl":"https://maps.app.goo.gl/zNuxEfJHMY6PyMB78","mediaType":"image","actionLabel":"Venue Directions","description":"","detailsHtml":"

320 South Canal is a 50-story, Class A trophy office tower located at the intersection of Canal Street and Jackson Boulevard. Designed by award-winning architect Goettsch Partners, it features a market-leading health and wellness design, excellent light and air with views of Lake Michigan, and the largest outdoor park in the West Loop.

","sideBySideMediaWidth":"standard"},{"id":"venue-slide-1789508296820","title":"How to Get there","layout":"side-by-side","eyebrow":"Transit","imageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-venue/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/slides/venue-slide-1789508296820/vj41wmpito2rx50zoydd.jpg","mediaType":"image","description":"","detailsHtml":"

The venue connects to Union Station via the pedway, providing direct access to the Metra train concourse, Amtrak trains, and Loop Link CTA bus lines at the Union Station Transit Center.

CTA

Clinton CTA Blue Line (5 min walk)
Quincy CTA Brown/Purple/Orange/Pink Lines (9 min walk)

Metra

Direct pedway connection to Union Station (<5 min walk, direct pedway connection)

Ogilvie Train Station (8 min walk)

","enableMediaZoom":true,"sideBySideMediaWidth":"large"},{"id":"venue-slide-1789508713725","title":"Where to Park","layout":"media-first","address":"333 S Clinton St \nChicago, IL 60661","details":"Parking Charges: $11.00","eyebrow":"Parking","imageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-venue/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/slides/venue-slide-1789508713725/hhk1ymsdkducdnwgcssu.jpg","actionUrl":"https://maps.app.goo.gl/wz8bi7t9jmZCE7VV9","mediaType":"image","actionLabel":"Parking Directions","description":"","detailsHtml":"

On-site parking is available, and the garage entrance is located at 333 South Clinton Street.

Parking garage elevators service directly into the Conference Center

Parking Charges: $11 (12 hours)

"}],"address":"320 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60606","embedUrl":"","venueName":"320 S Canal Street ","travelNote":"","parkingNote":"","transitNote":"","venueImageUrl":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/home-venue/25e626a8-f51a-402f-ab44-9b3f33e6c8f5/a60hzcghwglkc8roy6sd.jpg","showDirectionsLink":true,"slideIntervalSeconds":10},"background":"subtle","titleAlignment":"left"},{"id":"home-gallery-1785738423485","type":"gallery","order":8,"title":"Past Conference Pictures","content":{"images":[{"id":"img-1785741500021","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/iph1hqbm0eeifzh0gtco.jpg"},{"id":"img-1785741557600","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/leli9jizfmzh5dphiefc.jpg"},{"id":"img-1785741596226","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/dk5uduhdhvu1bxggy8rg.jpg"},{"id":"img-1785742016126","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/nezbx7n0smovhhivhz1c.jpg"},{"id":"img-1785742031155","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/d6fd4yagiifly7chiqvw.jpg"},{"id":"img-1785742037225","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/d6r0jpyhlbyikyslianr.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791434673152","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/lxnyarhq1d4wswzs4sy4.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791434853385","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/tixa80w4o0ipkhyzckrm.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791434936118","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/kidhg7b7to6r5isep7kv.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435024732","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/jjaprveabd249dwnm7il.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435042465","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/snjrqwm5ewens4aemdgb.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435088779","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/dv5namqvhbvjsa0kmkvb.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435137660","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/yfepj6nzhlyxfrq7atgl.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435145827","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/fpw9zh2phtvivtgmfp4l.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435152526","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/sbmo76eggm2mmdb385da.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435160960","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/emp7n72ztivbu3eysxwt.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435167277","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/uyrgrc4qax2stxibfedu.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435173426","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/zbfbqijxpddu908zxfin.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435191594","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/j3g6papnucfrmvt1ru8o.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435216314","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/bw79opbc5gsg7y0ofags.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435297461","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/gqqi9z4rxeqnbwbebkuo.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435306328","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/pszfds30ezphbtmvy3as.jpg"},{"id":"img-1791435343344","src":"https://media.confexo.com/image/upload/gallery/kzqvadzwm4bgbqvpbneu.jpg"}],"layout":"carousel","columns":2,"rounded":true,"lightbox":true,"textColor":"#f4f8f0","mobileSize":"full","accentColor":"#d4edb0","desktopSize":"full","showCaptions":false,"accentTextColor":"#102c25","backgroundColor":"#1d443a","carouselAutoplay":true,"carouselMobileItems":2,"carouselDesktopItems":3},"textColor":"#f4f8f0","background":"default"}],"visibility":{"showCta":false,"showAbout":true,"showSchedulePreview":false,"showSpeakersPreview":false},"featureBanners":{"items":[{"id":"speakers","title":"Previous Speakers","enabled":false,"ctaLabel":"View speakers","description":"2025 Speakers who"},{"id":"sponsors","title":"Sponsors and partners","enabled":false,"ctaLabel":"View sponsors","description":"Explore the organizations supporting this event."},{"id":"tickets","title":"Tickets are available","enabled":false,"ctaLabel":"Get tickets","description":"Reserve your place before registration closes."},{"id":"custom","href":"","title":"Conference highlight","enabled":true,"ctaLabel":"Learn more","description":"Add a custom homepage banner for anything important."}],"layout":"cards","enabled":false},"heroTypography":{},"sectionTitleAlignment":"left"},"dashboardPages":["home","sponsors","schedule","speakers"]},"customPages":[{"slug":"pitch","title":"Pitch Competition","navLabel":"$undefined"}]}],"$L26","$L27","$L28"]}]] 12:null 14:[["$","meta","0",{"charSet":"utf-8"}],["$","meta","1",{"name":"viewport","content":"width=device-width, initial-scale=1"}],["$","meta","2",{"name":"theme-color","content":"#f7f9fb"}],["$","meta","3",{"name":"color-scheme","content":"light"}]]