​On behalf of Lofty Ventures, Misfits Labs, 1871, World Business Chicago and the entire production team, we would like to invite you to the premiere screening of Lofty City: The Rise of Chicago’s Tech Community.

​Lofty City is a cinematic love letter to Chicago’s tech community. Lofty and Misfits are co-producers of this short film, and 1871 and WBC are co-hosts of the event.

​The film screening will be kicked off with intro remarks from the film’s director, Erikc Perez-Perez (Founder & CEO of Misfits Labs). The film will be followed by a Q&A with the film's stars:

• ​Betsy Ziegler, CEO of 1871

• ​Mike Evans, Co-founder of GrubHub

• ​Caralynn Nowinski Collens, CEO of DimensionBio

• ​Christopher Deutsch, Founder of Lofty Ventures

• ​Abin Kuriakose, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer of World Business Chicago (moderator)

​More info on the film at loftycity.org

​Expect lite bites from local brands, an open bar, plenty of popcorn and a room full of amazing Chicagoans who are just as passionate about our city as you are. Come dressed however you would like. This film is about startups after all, so you'll see everything from shorts to suits.

​Watch the Lofty City trailer...

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​About Lofty Ventures

​Lofty Ventures is building a compounding flywheel for Chicago’s next generation of founders and angels by investing early, bringing together a highly curated community, and helping founders become angels sooner. Operating as a family office, investor syndicate, angel platform, and startup community, Lofty combines capital, relationships, and education to drive stronger outcomes over time. Across its direct investments and syndicate, Lofty has invested $5M+ at the earliest stages in 100 companies and 180 founders, with 80% based in Chicago and 75% led by underrepresented entrepreneurs. Lofty Angels, its free community, helps members learn early-stage investing and access curated co-investment opportunities. Learn more at loftyventures.com, loftyangels.com, loftycamp.com, and loftycity.org

​About Misfits Labs

​Misfits Labs is an independent Chicago picture company committed to exploring and enriching the human condition through visual art. Founded by director and photographer Erikc Perez-Perez, Misfits Labs makes pictures that move — spanning commercial work, music videos, and independent film. Learn more at misfitslabs.com

​About 1871

​1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub, exists to inspire, equip, and support early-stage, growth-stage, late-stage, and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to approximately 500 early-stage startups, 250 growth and late-stage companies, and 60 corporates, and is supported by an entire community focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in-person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. Since its inception in 2012, more than 2,100+ alum companies are still active, have created over 18,700 jobs, and have raised more than $6.2 billion in follow-on capital. Learn more at 1871.com

​About World Business Chicago

​World Business Chicago is the City of Chicago's economic development organization, focused on driving inclusive growth and job creation across the region. Working with the Mayor's Office of the City of Chicago, the Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership, and public- and private-sector partners - World Business Chicago leads efforts to attract and retain businesses, support innovation, and position Chicagoland as a global destination for investment and talent. Today, the organization's work is guided by Chicago 2050, a long-term economic growth plan that is actively being executed to deliver measurable outcomes, including job creation, business attraction, and inclusive growth. Learn more at worldbusinesschicago.com

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​HUGE thanks to you, our community members, all of Lofty's amazing partners, our co-hosts, and a special shout out to our Lead Partners, Bank of America & Neal Gerber Eisenberg, for powering this event and all our programming.