Distinguished Panelists Announced for Connecticut Innovations Future Fund Launch Event

Nine ecosystem trailblazers, accomplished founders and leading venture capitalists from Connecticut, New York, California and Canada, will take the stage together to participate in launch event

New Haven, Conn. – May 2, 2023 – Connecticut Innovations (CI), the state’s strategic venture capital arm and the leading source of financing and ongoing support for Connecticut’s innovative, growing companies, today announced the panelists participating in its Future Fund Launch Event, a day to bring together ecosystem leaders and innovators to learn more about their new $50 million fund supporting early-stage companies and underrepresented founders and teams.

The event, to be held on Thursday, May 11, will feature two high-level panels:

Entrepreneur Panel: The Journey from Zero to Exit

Jessica Bailey, Greenworks Lending (acquired by Nuveen Green Capital)
Brent Ho-Young, Dream Payments
Andre Swanston, Tru Optik (acquired by TransUnion)

 Alison Malloy, Connecticut Innovations (Moderator)

Venture Capital Panel: Investing in the Future Economy
Olivia Griffian, Venture Investor
Qiana Patterson, NAYAH
David Uponi, Forum Ventures
Alicia Zheng, Plum Alley

David Salinas, Forward Obsessed/District (Moderator)

“We are thrilled to announce this lineup of incredible speakers and have the opportunity to hear their stories that have helped pave the way for future investors and entrepreneurs,” said Alison Malloy, director of investments at Connecticut Innovations and fund manager for the Future Fund. “These discussions will explore hot market topics and provide the audience with authentic advice, from both a startup founder and investor mindset.”

The Future Fund Launch Event will take place at CI’s headquarters, District New Haven, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11. In addition to the panels and networking, Oshoke Abalu, co-founder of Love & Magic Company, futurist and former chief architect for MetLife, will participate in a keynote discussion.

To learn more about the Future Fund, visit https://ctinnovations.com/future-fund/. To register to attend, please visit: https://www.eventsquid.com/event/19304.