When Dr. Garry Cooper isn’t busy inspiring zero-waste, climate-centered organizations as Rheaply CEO, this Forbes Next 1000 member has his hands full investing in the next generation of founders as a partner at LongJump.

The honorable Penny Pritzker – fueled by a vision to reinvigorate Chicago’s tech community. Her views are informed by her work on the board of tech companies like Microsoft, Icertis and Finix, as a builder of several businesses, an investor through her firm PSP Partners in dozens of technology firms, from her time as the 38th Secretary of Commerce, and as a member of President Biden’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Her bullish stance on the future of the city’s tech leadership led to the founding of P33, which is working to carry forth a vision of catalyzing Chicago’s tech and innovation economy and promoting inclusive economic growth for all its residents.

Meet the man behind Cleversafe, a data storage pioneer that sold to IBM for $1.3 billion. But Chris didn’t rest on his laurels after that. As CEO and Co-Founder of Ocient, he’s now helping companies analyze the largest data sets in the world.

As Super.tech CEO, Pranav Gokhale puts his PhD in quantum computing from the University of Chicago to use breaking the abstraction barrier between quantum hardware and software to realize practical applications.

Dr. Christine Izuakor’s brainchild Cyber Pop-Up connects high-demand businesses to on-demand (and affordable!) cyber security services. She’s also a 2021 TechRise winner, frequent industry speaker, and avid world traveler.

Colleen Egan leads ISTC’s efforts to amplify diverse voices and cultivate tech-based economic development. Colleen serves on a long list of boards and committees, including U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s LGBTQ task force.