‘What do we have to do?’ Female innovators chart path toward equality

Chicago’s startup and innovation community gathered at the annual Chicago Innovation Awards, which aims to recognize companies doing groundbreaking work.

The Chicago Innovation Awards announced this year’s winners at the UIC Forum — honoring 22 local businesses in the 23rd iteration of the ceremony.

One certain result of the recent elections is that there will be change. It’s just not clear what that change will be. For every sector of society — public, private and nonprofit — in organizations of all sizes, it is moments like this that put a spotlight on the importance of innovation.

An event named The Innovators’ Guide to Chicago will take place next month at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Luke Tanen — president and CEO of Chicago Innovation — joins the Noon Business Hour.

The typical workplace now includes workers from five generations. That shift, plus changes in the workplace since the pandemic, are an opportunity to make the work environment better for all.

This year’s Chicago Innovation Awards highlight how the city’s tech and startup scene is not as much the boys club that it used to be. Mayor Lori Lightfoot alluded to as much in her opening address, highlighting that of the 21 winners at Wednesday night’s awards, 11 were women-led businesses and nine were founded by people of color.