Covid-19 showed us the limitations of protectionist thinking in our interdependent world. Leaders around the globe are grappling with the uncertainties and inequities that have only grown during life in a pandemic. With problems that are bigger than any one country, multilateral cooperation and a long-term commitment to transparency are vital in order to effect real change.
Founded in 2009 by Tim Rowe, CEO and Founder of the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), and co-founders Aubree Lawrence and later Carrie Stalder, Venture Café started with the simple idea – to connect innovators in the Boston area.
Today, Venture Café’s flagship Thursday Gathering program has attracted 500,000+ innovators worldwide; entrepreneurs, scientists and creatives convening weekly, working together to make things happen. The VCGI network currently includes eleven Venture Cafés sites worldwide, which work in partnership with CIC to strengthen innovation ecosystems.
Venture Café Global Institute’s mission is to enhance, accelerate and introduce the innovation process to communities throughout the world – developing inclusive and resilient innovation ecosystems. Our vision is that one day, across the world, everyone will participate equally in the process of innovation.
Open a Venture Café in your city
Every Thursday we convene a diverse group of 100s of stakeholders for networking, thought provoking programming and engaging activations to build community and connections in your city. Venture Café is a platform and a world class tool that engages and amplifies your innovation ecosystem.
Venture Café is an out of the box solution that has been named by the Brookings Institute as a best practice for activating innovation districts. We are a global network and a community of communities with deep roots in the cities we serve.
Be a better innovator
We believe that innovation is a process to improve the human condition. Each week we connect creators, entrepreneurs, investors, academics, corporates, students and visionaries to build strong, inclusive, equitable innovation ecosystems in cities throughout the world. We believe that meaningful ideas and big changes are sparked when spontaneity collides with intention.
Through entrepreneur-led presentations, panel discussions, workshops, 1 x 1 advising, demonstrations, and informal discussions, our programming reduces barriers to business development and growth while sharing the best ideas the community has to offer.
Become a Global Program Partner
Join the largest weekly gathering of professionals from around the world harnessing the novel technology to accelerate purpose driven enterprise in an equitable and inclusive environment!
Venture Café partners are invited to co-create experiences and resources for our community who are hungry to take action locally and make an impact globally. We design premium engagement opportunities that suit your organization’s objectives in these areas:
What will you make happen?
Photo from Venture Café Rotterdam.
Photo from Venture Café Rotterdam
Photo from Venture Café St. Louis.