Skip to main content

Abin Kuriakose

Executive Vice President of Innovation & Venture Strategy, World Business Chicago

Abin Kuriakose headshot

Abin Kuriakose is executive vice president of innovation and venture strategy for World Business Chicago (WBC), the city's economic development organization chaired by the mayor. As a public-private partnership, WBC drives inclusive economic growth and job creation, supports businesses, and promotes Chicago as a leading global city. In this role, Kuriakose manages WBC's portfolio of programs driving inclusive growth and opportunity for Chicago’s tech economy and innovation ecosystem. His flagship programs include the Chicago Venture Summit, Startup Chicago, and ThinkChicago.

Prior to WBC, Kuriakose served as deputy chief of staff, director of public policy, and director of community affairs and engagement for the Cook County Board of Commissioners, 10th District. He served as the lead policy staffer for the Cook County Board’s Workforce, Houston, and Community Development Committee and Pension Committee.

Kuriakose is passionate about civic engagement and political advocacy, especially for immigrant and new American communities. In November 2019, Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed him as a member of the state of Illinois’ Asian American Employment Plan Advisory Council. He currently serves as a senior advisor for the Illinois Asian American Caucus and a member of the South Asian American Civic Engagement Coalition in Chicago.

Kuriakose attended DePaul University where he received the DePaul Scholars Award. He is also a 2018 Civic Leadership Academy (CLA) fellow of the University of Chicago, where he received his certificate in civic leadership. In 2017, Kuriakose was recognized as one of “35 under 35 Young Leaders Making An Impact” by the Chicago Scholars Foundation.

Published on June 29, 2021