ChicagoNEXT is focused on making Chicago the best possible place for technology entrepreneurs.

None of our family businesses were focused on technology. It was '93 when I came out of law school, and the Internet was taking hold. So I started New World Ventures.

In my day job, I worry non-stop about making wise investments for long-term gains.

I focus on supporting high quality early childhood health care and education. By betting my resources on very young children, I know I'm making an investment that pays guaranteed dividends with a high rate of return.

In the World Cup, people of many nations come together for a fierce competition. To field the best team, all the competitor nations know that they need to train their athletes for many years, starting as early as the first moments a child can recognize a soccer ball. No shortcuts. No late starts.

Our whole goal with this event is to educate entrepreneurs about what is possible in terms of licensing technology.