Last
week’s Moxie Awards brought together leaders of Chicago’s digital business
community to celebrate the city’s thriving ecosystem of innovation. Now in
their fourth year, Built In Chicago’s Moxie Awards recognize exceptional
leaders and companies. Fifteen awards were given across four categories that
include Startup Awards, Supporting Awards, Individual Awards, and Headline
Awards.
In
past years, 1871 companies and other community members have been frequent
nominees and winners at the Moxie Awards. This year was no exception, with 1871
companies, mentors, partners, and CEC Momentum Award finalists represented
across each of the four categories of awards. After over 22,000 people cast
their votes, the 2015 Moxie Award winners from the 1871 community include:
Best
B2B Startup: SimpleRelevance
SimpleRelevance helps marketers
send personalized, targeted messages to their e-mail lists. The company uses
technology to gather purchasing and browsing insights linked to an e-mail
address, empowering marketers to create targeted campaigns.
SimpleRelevance
is a recent graduate of 1871.
Best
Startup Co-Founders: Eileen Murphy and Abby Ross (ThinkCERCA)
Eileen
Murphy and Abby Ross are working to improve education with ThinkCERCA, and recently closed a $3.2
million Series A Round for the company. ThinkCERCA is an online platform
designed to empower teachers to personalize literacy instruction across
disciplines and increase engagement.
ThinkCERCA
is an 1871 alumni company that has returned to the 1871 space, and is now the
largest employer at 1871.
Startup
of the Year: SpotHero
SpotHero is an on-demand parking app and
website that helps drivers find parking and reserve a spot with convenient
garages, lots, and valets for up to 50% off the drive-up rate. Founded in Chicago
in 2011, the company is now active in Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., San
Francisco, Boston, and a number of other major US cities. In addition to being
the top downloaded and top rated parking app in both the iTunes and Google Play
App Stores, SpotHero was also the first on-demand parking app to offer Apple
Pay and Google Wallet. SpotHero is an 1871 alumni company.
Investor
of the Year – Adam Koopersmith (Pritzker Group Venture Capital)
Adam
Koopersmith joined Pritzker Group
Venture Capital in 2004 and has focused on SaaS applications, interactive
marketing solutions and health applications. He also sits on the board of
organizations like TechStars, Sittercity, Advantage Optics and Firm58.
Pritzker
Group Venture Capital is a tenant of 1871, and Adam Koopersmith is a frequent
mentor of 1871 startups.
Best
Software Company AND Best Company Culture: Jellyvision
Jellyvision is one of Chicago’s most
successful digital communications firms. In 2009, the company launched ALEX, an
employee engagement platform that communicates matters like health benefits to
new hires and current staff. The software is used by over 300 companies, 52 of
which are Fortune 500 companies that have hundreds to millions of employees.
Jellyvision
was a 2014 CEC Momentum Award Finalist
CEO
of the Year: Amanda Lannert (Jellyvision)
During
her time at Jellyvision, Amanda Lannert has built an award-winning company
culture and doubled her company’s revenue in three out of the last four years.
After so much success, it’s not surprising that this is the third year in a row
Amanda has taken the coveted CEO of the Year title at the Moxie Awards.
Congratulations
to all of the nominees and winners at the 2015 Moxie Awards!
