Build Your Own AI Agent: Part of Chicago Tech Week 2026
Everyone's talking about AI agents. Come build one.
This is a hands-on workshop where you leave with your own working agent. No code required, no prior experience needed. Bring a laptop and an idea, and we'll bring the tools, the templates, and a room full of people who would rather build than talk about building.
Mucker was built on a simple thesis: great builders are everywhere, but most of the industry only looks in a few zip codes. So we don't just back founders, we get in the trenches and build alongside them. This afternoon is that thesis thrown open to everyone: investors, founders, tinkerers, intrapreneurs, and anyone curious enough to try.
Danny Pantuso, who leads Mucker's investing thesis in AI agents, along side as Brad Smith and Erickson Tweedy of Zapier's AI team, will take the room from zero to a running agent, then stay on the floor while you build your own.
A few things you could build:
An agent that listens to your meeting transcripts, pulls out every action item, and drafts your follow-up emails and calendar invites automatically.
An agent that watches your portfolio or watchlist and pings you the moment something major moves.
You bring the idea, we'll help you ship it before you walk out the door.
Tell us what you want to build. When you RSVP, drop a note on what you want to build, and we might use it for our demo example.
When: Tuesday, July 21 · 1:00 to 4:00 PM Where: 150 N Riverside, Chicago, IL 60606 - Grand Century Conference Center (Lower Level)
1:00 – 1:30 · Arrive, grab a drink, meet the room
1:30 – 2:00 · Live demo and the 101 on building agents
2:00 – 3:00 · Office hours: build your own, help on tap
3:00 – 3:30 · Show and tell: ship it, share it
3:30 – 4:00 · Stick around, keep building, keep talking
Snacks and drinks on us. Bring a laptop.
Seats are limited so everyone gets real hands-on help, so RSVP early. And bring someone who builds.
Who is this for:
Open invite. We can't wait to build with you.
By attending, you consent to being photographed and recorded on video, and to receiving occasional communications from us, including our newsletter.
Thanks To Our Partners
Michael Best, the firm backing this session, works with founders and venture teams across the startup lifecycle. Learn about their work supporting emerging companies through Venture Best.
Zapier, the automation platform that lets anyone connect their apps and build AI-powered workflows without code, and the engine behind what you'll build today.
MJVentures, the premier Chicago-based development studio specialized in building impactful AI products that solve critical problems for forward thinking organizations.