5
Bruce N. Barron
Bruce N. Barron co-founded Origin Ventures in 1999.  He was a 
Managing Partner at the firm from its inception through 2023 and 
retired from day-to-day activities at the end of 2024.  During his tenure 
he helped grow the firm to where it recently closed its $140M Fund VI, 
bringing assets under management to nearly $500M.  He has served as 
a member of and observer to the Board of Directors of many 
companies, including GrubHub, Tock and DialogTech.
Bruce was also an active board member of the Illinois Venture Capital 
Association for many years.  He has been a supporter of 
entrepreneurship at UIUC, where he helped establish the Origin 
Ventures Office of Entrepreneurship, and has continued to support it 
financially, and with his time.  Over the years, he has mentored 
iVentures teams, and has lectured classes on entrepreneurship.
His record of service to philanthropic and nonprofit organizations 
includes a 6 year stint as a member of the National Board of the 
American Cancer Society, and he has served on the Board of the 
Chicago Heart Ball for the American Heart Association.  For many years 
he has served, and continues to serve, on the International Board and 
Chicago Board of the Israel Cancer Research Fund and the Chicago 
Baseball Cancer Charity Board.
Bruce has also been deeply involved in nurturing future entrepreneurs 
and business leaders by mentoring founders of startups at Impact 
Engine and Techstars, and by judging the New Venture Challenge at 
the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and business plan 
competitions at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of 
Management.  He also headed the Chicago JUF Technology Division 
for several years.
Bruce lives most of the year in Naples, FL with his wife of 47 years, 
Jacki. They have 3 daughters, Emma (Selwyn) Skevin, Jamie and 
Samantha.  They enjoy traveling the world and hiking in our National 
Parks. However, their greatest joy is spending time with their beautiful 
grandchildren, Gordy & Ruthy.
Richard J. Daley Award
In honor of Mayor Richard J. Daley’s vast economic 
accomplishments, the Richard J. Daley Award recognizes a single 
individual who has given direct and extraordinary support to the 
State of Illinois by participating in or being an advocate for the 
venture capital and private equity industry.

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