Oshoke Abalu to Keynote Connecticut Innovations Future Fund Launch Event

World-renowned architect, futurist and celebrated thought leader to share perspectives on the love of work and inclusion at event to mark the launch of CI’s new fund created to help support underrepresented founders

New Haven, Conn. – April 24, 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 that Oshoke Abalu will serve as the keynote speaker at the CI Future Fund launch event on Thursday, May 11. Abalu, an award-winning architect and thought leader, will speak to a gathering of investors, diverse entrepreneurs and changemakers celebrating the launch of CI’s $50 million fund created to help support underrepresented founders and early-stage companies across the state.

Abalu has been credited with transforming work cultures using human-centered solutions. She has been recognized as a thoughtful catalyst and inclusion innovator whose designs have spearheaded broader conversations on the future of work.

“We are delighted to welcome Oshoke to the Future Fund launch event and to have an opportunity to learn more about her incredible story and accomplishments,” said Alison Malloy, managing director of investments at Connecticut Innovations. “As we celebrate the launch of the Future Fund, attendees will genuinely enjoy hearing about Oshoke’s unique journey and her perspectives on the future of work, space and inclusion.”

As the chief architect for MetLife, Abalu oversaw more than $1 billion in capital improvements across 40 countries. At Perkins & Will, a global design practice, her projects for Bloomberg, Goldman Sachs, Dar Al-Handasah and Hanwha resulted in increased productivity and greater employee happiness.

In 2017, Abalu co-founded Love & Magic Company, an award-winning solution studio. She has earned numerous awards and recognitions from major media outlets, and her work has been showcased in Fast Company, TED, TIME, SmartPlanet and Real Simple.

“I am honored to speak to the next generation of founders and leaders at the Future Fund event,” said Abalu. “I’m looking forward to meeting and hearing from the attendees and  sharing some of my learnings with this inspirational group.”

The launch event will take place at CI’s headquarters at District New Haven from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11. In addition to Abalu’s talk, the day will also include leadership panels and networking opportunities.

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.