“The larger message of the 2026 In-Gala was ultimately about the future: Chicago Innovation used its 25th anniversary not simply to look back at the innovators who helped shape the region, but to rally the community around the next generation of innovators.”—Luke Tanen, President and CEO of Chicago Innovation.
The Chicago Innovation Foundation hosted its annual In-Gala at the Bridgeport Art Center, bringing together nearly 500 business, civic and technology leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators from across the Chicago region recently. This year’s event carried special significance as part of Chicago Innovation’s 25th anniversary, celebrating a quarter-century of building a more connected, inclusive innovation ecosystem while looking ahead to the next 25 years.
At the heart of the evening was the induction of three distinguished leaders into the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame: Chuck Templeton, Diane Swonk and Tom Kuczmarski. Each represents a different dimension of Chicago’s innovation story.
Chuck Templeton, founder of OpenTable and Managing Partner at S2G Investments, has been a significant entrepreneur, investor and mentor in Chicago’s technology ecosystem.
Diane Swonk, Chief Economist at KPMG, has become one of the country’s most recognized economic voices and a trusted advisor to business leaders and policymakers.
Tom Kuczmarski, co-founder of Chicago Innovation, was recognized for a career devoted to advancing the practice of innovation—including co-founding Chicago Innovation 25 years ago, building an innovation consultancy, teaching at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management for more than four decades, and authoring nine books on innovation and leadership.
But the In-Gala was designed to be more than an awards dinner. Its larger purpose was to celebrate—and help fuel—the idea that innovation should be accessible to everyone. Chicago Innovation’s mission is to educate, connect and celebrate innovators throughout the expanding Chicago Innovation ecosystem and its vision is to lead a movement that ensures innovation is for everyone.
The Chicago Innovation Foundation uses programs aimed at bringing more people into the innovation economy. Those programs include the Illinois Student Invention Convention, which has reached 41,000 K–8 students; The Ladder, serving Black and Latine professionals; the Women’s Mentoring Co-Op to support women innovators; Ageless Innovators, an intergenerational co-mentoring program; and Climate Innovators to support innovation that is combating climate change.
By convening Chicago’s innovation community and generating philanthropic and corporate support, the event helps sustain programs that expand who gets access to the relationships, skills, mentorship and opportunities associated with innovation. The event also gave sponsors opportunities to deepen their involvement in Chicago’s innovation ecosystem through connections with innovators, award winners and other leaders throughout the year.
The evening itself was intentionally more interactive than a traditional gala, featuring live music from the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, entertainment, a creative dining experience, an auction, raffles and prizes alongside the Hall of Fame program. The format reflected the community the organization has spent 25 years building: people from established corporations, startups, nonprofits, universities, government and the broader civic community coming together around innovation.
For further information visit: chicagoinnovation.com
