CHICAGO — “The next 10 years in food will make the last 50 look like it was going at a snail’s pace,” said Don Thompson, chief executive officer and founder, Cleveland Avenue, Chicago. “It’s going to be hyperaggressive and hyperactive.”
Mr. Thompson, former president and CEO of McDonald’s Corp., spoke at the Chicago Venture Summit Future-of-Food held May 25-26, the city’s new flagship food innovation conference. More than 500 startups, venture capital and private equity investors, and others in food and beverage verticals, came together, confirming that Chicago is a strong destination for food and agriculture founders, innovators and investors from around the world. Like others in attendance, Mr. Thompson expressed his commitment to mentoring with dollars and knowledge in order to build the food and agriculture technology businesses in the Chicagoland area.
