J.B. Pritzker

J.B. Pritzker founded Pritzker Group Venture Capital in 1996 and grew it into is the largest technology venture investor between the coasts. Having served on numerous startup and late stage company boards, Pritzker has advised and helped build dozens of successful game-changing technology companies. Mr. Pritzker is a recognized entrepreneurial leader advocating a stronger national technology sector focus as a driver of the US economy. He founded 1871, one of the world’s leading incubators, and served as the founding chairman of ChicagoNEXT, Chicago’s council on innovation and technology. In that capacity, he led the first Chicago Venture Summit and participated in the creation of MATTER, Chicago’s co-working space for entrepreneurs in healthcare IT, medical devices, diagnostics and biopharma. He played an important role in the creation of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, the nation’s top regional private equity association, and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the leading regional advocate for entrepreneurs. He also co-founded Chicago Ventures (f.k.a. I2A Fund) and funded the startup of Techstars Chicago. Pritzker has won numerous business awards, including EY’s Master Entrepreneur of the Year Award, ACG’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Tech Investor of the Year by the Moxie Awards, Entrepreneur Champion by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, and numerous awards from Young Presidents Organization. Mr. Pritzker earned an A.B. in political science from Duke University and a J.D. from the Northwestern University School of Law. He lives in Chicago with his wife, M.K., and their two children.