Chicago is rapidly establishing itself as a leading force in the Web3 revolution. Far from being just a financial or industrial powerhouse, the city is now home to a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem of technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate pioneers shaping the future of decentralized technology. From blockchain education and NFT-powered brand experiences to institutional-grade Web3 infrastructure, Chicago’s innovators are driving real-world adoption across industries. This curated list highlights 20 standout individuals advancing Web3 in the city—spanning community leaders, capital allocators, corporate strategists, and startup founders.
Building a Collaborative Web3 Community
Chicago’s Web3 scene thrives on collaboration, openness, and a strong sense of inclusion. Unlike more insular tech hubs, the city fosters a welcoming environment for newcomers and veterans alike. Events like Future Gallerie, an immersive digital art experience from 2022, and storyDAO, an open platform for co-creating media, exemplify the creative energy fueling this community.
Alexandra Oleksiuk, Senior Business Development Manager for World Business Chicago’s FinTech sector, plays a pivotal role in connecting global companies with local opportunities. Her background in international market research enables her to guide firms navigating the evolving Web3 landscape.
At DePaul University, Lamont Black brings blockchain education to life through experiential learning. As a finance professor, he empowers students to build practical blockchain solutions—bridging academic theory with real-world innovation.
Matt Schapiro, CEO and co-founder of Chicago’s first NFT art gallery, ImnotArt, believes Web3 is transforming creative expression. By merging art, music, fashion, and digital ownership, Schapiro is helping artists and collectors reimagine what’s possible.
👉 Discover how Web3 is reshaping digital ownership and creativity in Chicago.
Vishal Sachdev, a clinical associate professor at the University of Illinois, leads cutting-edge research on decentralized collaboration and DAOs. As director of Illinois MakerLab and academic lead for blockchain analytics, he’s building a talent pipeline supported by major protocols like Solana and Filecoin. His current mission: democratizing AI through decentralized compute and storage.
Stef Caldwell, a former NCAA athlete and VC-backed founder, co-hosts the Allowlist podcast with Decasonic’s Lauren Tierney. The show explores Web3’s impact on consumers, culture, and technology. Through events and community-building, Caldwell is closing the gap between Chicago and coastal tech hubs.
Fueling Innovation: Web3 Capital Providers in Chicago
Behind every breakthrough startup is strategic capital. Chicago’s Web3 funding landscape is energized by forward-thinking investors committed to nurturing early-stage innovation.
Lauren Tierney and Danny Pantuso of Decasonic are at the forefront of pre-seed and seed-stage Web3 investing. With expertise in Web3 gaming and commerce, they host weekly workshops and city-wide events to support founders on their funding journey.
Nina Essandoh of Corazon Capital brings a global perspective to early-stage Web3 ventures. With experience across investment banking and private equity, she focuses on B2B and B2C utility-driven blockchain businesses founded by diverse entrepreneurs.
At Polychain Capital, Josh Rosenthal invests in both emerging and mature crypto networks. His background at J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs informs his strategic approach to high-potential protocols like Arbitrum and Celestia.
Sami Massih, a DePaul graduate, serves as a research analyst at Cumberland, DRW’s crypto arm. The firm combines decades of trading expertise with a commitment to sustainable ecosystem growth—providing capital while prioritizing long-term health in the Web3 space.
Corporate Leaders Driving Enterprise Web3 Adoption
Major corporations are no longer观望—they’re actively integrating Web3 into their strategies. Chicago-based leaders are at the helm of this transformation.
Domingo Meneses of Shopify leads merchant services partnerships with a focus on fintech and blockchain. His work enabled Shopify retailers to integrate Avalanche-based loyalty programs—bringing tokenized rewards to mainstream e-commerce.
At Omnicom, Tony Bailey leverages 25 years in advertising to guide brands into Web3. A veteran of web1 innovation, he now helps clients harness blockchain, AI, and immersive media to redefine customer engagement.
Kaarthikeyan Subramaniam leads Mars’ global Web3 initiatives, developing digital experiences that enhance brand storytelling through NFTs and immersive tech.
Lexi Geschke of Accenture Song shapes responsible metaverse strategies across industries. As a founder of Chicago’s MATTER biotech incubator, she brings deep startup insight to her work in the Metaverse Continuum—helping organizations build inclusive digital futures.
At Salesforce, Adam Caplan launched Salesforce Web3, offering brands NFT management tools that bridge Web2 and Web3 experiences. He emphasizes trust and security as foundational to customer-centric innovation.
Legal expertise is also critical. At Croke Fairchild, Michael Frisch and Paige Bolinger advise clients on regulatory compliance, venture financings, and governance in the digital assets space—ensuring innovation happens within safe legal frameworks.
Startup Founders Building the Web3 Future
Chicago’s startup ecosystem is buzzing with builders creating foundational tools for the decentralized internet.
Bartosz Lipinski and Jordan Prince of B+J Studios developed Cupcake, an NFT protocol that powered Lollapalooza’s 2022 digital collectibles and collaborated with Tommy Hilfiger during Fashion Week—proving Web3’s mainstream appeal.
👉 See how startups are turning NFTs into real-world brand experiences.
Andrew Killbride, CEO of TestMachine, is revolutionizing blockchain security with AI-powered code audits. His platform detects vulnerabilities early—accelerating development without compromising safety.
Brett Harrison founded Architect.xyz, a trading platform for institutions entering digital asset markets. Drawing from his Jane Street Capital background, he’s building robust infrastructure for global financial innovation.
Drew, founder of Holder, created a Web3 CRM that helps brands engage audiences through token-gated marketing. His work at High Alpha and Salesforce gives him deep insight into data-driven customer relationships—now reimagined for the blockchain era.
Finally, Tim Harris leads Paragon, an NFT experience platform unlocking value across gaming, music, sports, and food. By empowering creators and collectors alike, Paragon is redefining what digital ownership means.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What makes Chicago a strong hub for Web3 innovation?
A: Chicago combines top-tier universities, experienced finance professionals, supportive corporate leaders, and a collaborative community—all driving practical Web3 applications across industries.
Q: Are there educational programs in Chicago focused on blockchain?
A: Yes—DePaul University and the University of Illinois offer blockchain courses and research labs that prepare students for careers in Web3.
Q: How are big companies in Chicago using Web3?
A: Brands like Mars, Salesforce, and Shopify are leveraging NFTs, tokenized loyalty programs, and immersive experiences to engage customers in new ways.
Q: Is Chicago’s Web3 scene inclusive?
A: Absolutely. Community leaders like Stef Caldwell and Lexi Geschke emphasize diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in building the next internet.
Q: What role do venture capital firms play in Chicago’s Web3 growth?
A: Firms like Decasonic and Corazon Capital provide early funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities—critical for scaling innovative startups.
👉 Explore how you can get involved in Chicago’s growing Web3 movement today.
Final Thoughts
Chicago’s rise as a Web3 powerhouse is not accidental—it’s the result of visionary individuals across academia, startups, corporations, and finance working together to build an open, user-owned internet. From classroom education to enterprise adoption, the city is proving that innovation doesn’t require Silicon Valley credentials. As these 20 leaders continue to push boundaries, Chicago will remain at the forefront of the global Web3 transformation.
Keywords: Web3 Chicago, blockchain innovation, NFT platforms, decentralized technology, Web3 startups, crypto investment, metaverse development