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Chicago Tech Week 2026 - VeSoko Pitch
VeSoko Corp. was among 12 companies selected to pitch live at Chicagoland's inaugural Grassroots Tech Community Founder Pitch Kickoff during Chicago Tech Week — one of 52 startups that applied for a chance to present to investors, operators, and community members.
VeSoko takes the stage during Chicago Tech Week
VeSoko Corp. was selected as one of 12 companies to pitch live at the inaugural Grassroots Tech Community Founder Pitch Kickoff during Chicago Tech Week 2026. A total of 52 startups applied for the opportunity to present their work to investors, operators, founders, and community members.
Representing VeSoko, co-founder Yves Semana Gisubizo shared the marketplace's mission: connecting African-owned retailers with customers looking for authentic products from home.
More than a pitch competition
The Founder Pitch Kickoff included a $1,000 prize, but the event's larger purpose was to show the breadth of companies being built across Chicagoland. Each selected founder had an opportunity to explain the customer problem behind the company and the impact the team is working toward.
For VeSoko, participating created a new opportunity to introduce the African marketplace to Chicago's technology and investment community. It also placed the company alongside other local founders willing to test their ideas publicly, learn from feedback, and build stronger relationships across the ecosystem.
Growing VeSoko's startup-community presence
Selection from a competitive applicant pool provides independent recognition of VeSoko's progress and mission. The appearance expands the company's visibility beyond its marketplace audience and creates new connections with people supporting early-stage technology companies in the region.
VeSoko will continue using opportunities like Chicago Tech Week to represent African retailers, learn from fellow builders, and make the marketplace more useful for sellers and diaspora shoppers.