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2014 TECHSTARS DEMO DAY

Who made the list? Techweek Chicago reveals its Techweek 100

Brenna Berman, Commissioner and CIO – City of Chicago – Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology (More on Brenna Berman ) (City of Chicago photo )

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By Amina Elahi, @aminamania , Blue Sky Reporter
June 3, 2014, 10 a.m.

The Techweek Chicago 100 list announced Tuesday includes 142 names, a nod to previous honorees who said recognition should be shared among an organization's top players.

The list previously featured 100 individuals; now it covers 100 organizations.

Techweek chairman Iain Shovlin said the Techweek team combs nominations submitted through its website for winners who have had “some sort of event or momentum in the last year.” 

The list features newsmakers such as Braintree CEO Bill Ready, whose company was bought by PayPal for $800 million last fall, and Matt Maloney, the CEO and co-founder of GrubHub, which made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in February.

Newcomers include Aaron Dallek and Dr. Steven Lee, co-founders of Opternative, a startup that’s preparing to offer online eye exams this summer; Larry Baker and Charlie Tribbett, co-founders of bolstr, a platform that connects accredited investors to local businesses; and Brenna Berman, commissioner and CIO for the city of Chicago Department of Innovation and Technology.

Those recognized are startup founders, investors, government officials, corporate innovators and members of the media. Andrea Hanis, editor of Blue Sky Innovation, is on the list.

“We recognize at Techweek that an ecosystem comes from multiple facets, and we try and recognize the entire ecosystem,” Shovlin said.

The list includes just 18 women, or 13 percent of the total. Shovlin said improving diversity in tech is an important goal, but nominees are not evaluated based on it.

“The reality is, we look across lines; we don’t look at gender or race or anything, we look at leaders,” Shovlin said. “If there’s not as much diversity on that list, we’re needing to make more progress and make sure there’s diversity in the community.”

Techweek is a for-profit company based in Chicago. The 2014 list, which is presented unranked, also features 21 names from the technology festival’s 36-person executive advisory board. Microsoft is the Chicago conference’s presenting sponsor, and there are dozens of others, including Tribune Media Group. The Chicago Tribune is a media partner.

View the schedule for the fourth annual Techweek Chicago conference, which runs June 26 to June 28, here. 

The Techweek 100 full list:

• Mark Achler, Managing Director, Math Venture Partners L.P.

• Shradha Agarwal, Co-Founder & CSO, ContextMedia

• Ethan Austin, Co-Founder & President, GiveForward

• Larry Baker, Co-Founder, bolstr

• Jerry Bednyak, Co-Founder, CTO & CMO, Vivid Seats

• Brenna Berman, Commissioner and CIO, City of Chicago Dept. of Innovation and Technology

• Ben Blair, Co-Founder & CTO, MarkITx

• Don Bora, Co-Founder & Principal in Technology, Eight Bit Studios

• Rona Borre, Founder & CEO, Instant Technology

• George Bousis, Founder & CEO, Raise Greg Buchholz, founder & CEO, SpringCM

• Gabriel Burt, CTO, Civis Analytics

• Jeff Conlon, Co-Founder & CEO, Everspring

• Andrew Cronk, Co-Founder & CEO, TempoDB

• Brandon Cruz, Founder, President & CTO, GoHealth

• Zak Dabbas, Co-Founder CEO, Punchkick Interactive

• Aaron Dallek, Co-Founder & CEO, Opternative

• Linda Darragh, Executive Director, Northwestern University Kellogg Innovation and Entrepreneurship Initiative

• Sarah Doherty, Founder & CTO, telehealthnow

• Jim Dugan, Co-Founder, CEO & Managing Partner, OCA Venture Partners

• John Dugan, Co-Founder & General Partner, OCA Venture Partners

• Rahm Emanuel, Mayor, City of Chicago

• Aaron Firestein, Co-Founder & Chief Artist, Bucketfeet

• Brian Fitzpatrick, Engineering Manager, Google

• Jeffrey (Jeff) T. Foland, Executive Vice President, marketing, technology and strategy, United

• Jason Fried, Co-Founder & CEO, Basecamp

• Gian Fulgoni, Chairman Emeritus and Co-Founder, comScore

• Jim Gagnard, Venture Partner, Hyde Park Venture Partners

• Rich Gallun, CEO, bswift

• Chris Girgenti, Managing Partner, Pritzker Group Venture Capital

• Chris Gladwin, Founder & Vice Chairman, Cleversafe

• Jodi Glickman, Founder & President, Great On The Job

• Sarah Gray, Senior Developer, Trunk Club

• Gabe Greenbaum, VP, Pritzker Group Venture Capital

• Ken Griffin, Founder & CEO, Citadel Inc.

• Brian Hand, Co-Founder, FireStarter Fund

• Andrea Hanis, Editor, Blue Sky Innovation

• David Heinemeier, Hansson, Co-Founder and CTO, Basecamp

• Barney Harford, CEO, Orbitz Worldwide

• Jason Heltzer, General Partner, OCA Ventures

• Troy Henikoff, Executive Director, Techstars

• Fred Hoch, CEO, Illinois Technology Association

• Justyn Howard, Founder & CEO, Sprout Social

• Dave Husain, Co-Founder & CEO, Leapfrog Online

• Peter Ianello, Co-Founder & general partner, OCA Venture Partners

• Amit Jhawar, COO, Braintree

• Sean Johnson, Partner, Digital Intent

• Clint Jones, Co-Founder & CEO, GoHealth

• Steve Kaplan, Professor/Faculty Director, University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

• Maria Katris, CEO, Built In

• Brad Keywell, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Lightbank

• Marc Kiven, Founder & Chief Revenue Officer, BrightTag Inc.

• Jeremy Klein, Co-Founder & CEO, TableSAVVY

• Scott Kluth, President & Founder, CouponCabin.com

• Steve Koch, Deputy Mayor, City of Chicago

• Rana Komar, General Manager Chicago, Weber Shandwick

• Mark Koulogeorge, Managing General Partner, MK Capital

• Seth Kravitz, Co-Founder, Technori

• Logan LaHive, Founder & CEO, Belly

• Amanda Lannert, CEO, Jellyvision Lab

• Stuart Larkins, Partner, Chicago Ventures

• Paul Lee, General Partner, Lightbank

• Dr. Steven Lee, Co-Founder & EVP, Opternative

• Eric Lefkofsky, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Lightbank

• Peter Liu, Founder, Chairman, VentureUp

• Maya Lopuch, director of Learning & Analytics, eSpark Learning

• Rob Lowe, CEO, Wellspring

• Katy Lynch, President, SocialKaty

• Jessica Malkin, Executive Director, Chicago Ideas Week

• Matt Maloney, Co-Founder & CEO, GrubHub

• Joe Mansueto, Chairman & CEO, Morningstar

• Michael Marasco, Clinical Full Professor and Director, Northwestern University - Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• Justin Massa, Founder & CEO, Food Genius

• Serge Matta, CEO, comScore

• Bret Maxwell, Managing General Partner, MK Capital

• Matt McCall, Partner, Pritzker Group Venture Capital

• Mike McGee, Co-Founder, The Starter League

• Ben Milne, Founder & CEO, Dwolla

• Matt Moog, Founder & CEO, Viewpoints

• John Morris, President & CEO, Cleversafe

• Jon Morris, CEO, Rise Interactive

• Dirk Mueller-Ingrand, Co-Founder and CEO, tradeMONSTER Group, Inc.

• Frank Muscarello, Co-Founder & CEO, MarkITx

• Raaja Nemani, Co-Founder & CEO, Bucketfeet

• Mark F. O'Connell, President & CEO, SAVO Group

• Jim O'Connor, Jr., Interim CEO, CEC

• Bill (William) Oesterle, CEO and Co-Founder, Angie's List

• Paul Pagel, CEO and Co-Founder, 8th Light

• Deepika Pandey, VP, Online strategy & customer experience, Walgreen

• Andrew Parkinson, Founder, Chairman, President & General Manager, Peapod

• Jack Philbin, Co-Founder, President, & CEO, Vibes Media

• John Pletz, Senior Reporter, Crain's Chicago

• J.B. Pritzker, Co-Founder & Managing Partner,  ritzker Group Venture Capital

• Dhiraj Rajaram, Co-Founder & CEO, Mu Sigma

• Aaron Rankin, Co-Founder & CTO, Sprout Social

• Bill Ready, CEO, Braintree

• Harper Reed, CEO, Modest

• Dylan Richard, Founder & CTO, Modest

• Thomas Richards, Chairman & CEO, CDW

• Shawn Riegsecker, Founder & CEO, Centro

• Sam Rosen, Founding Partner, One Design Company

• Kristi Ross, Co-CEO & President, Dough / Tastytrade

• Ellen Rudnick, Executive Director, University of Chicago - Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship

• Doug Ryan, President San Francisco & Chicago, Digitas North America

• Tom Ryan, CEO, Threadless

• Michael Sachs, Co-Founder, bswift

• Sanjib Sahoo, CTO, TradeMonster Group, Inc.

• Neal Sales-Griffin, CEO, The Starter League

• Mike Sands, President & CEO, BrightTag Inc.

• Jon Schepke, CEO, SIM Partners

• J Schwan, Founder & CEO, Solstice Mobile

• Rishi Shah, Co-Founder & CEO, ContextMedia

• Irv Shapiro, CEO & CTO, Ifbyphone

• Eric Sheinkop, Co-Founder, President, & CEO, Music Dealers

• Jai Shekhawat, Co-Founder & CEO, Fieldglass

• Wes Shepherd, CEO, ChannelIQ

• Andrew Sieja, President & CEO, kCura

• Jeff Silver, CEO, Coyote Logistics

• Michael Small, President & CEO, Gogo, Inc.

• Tom Sosnoff, Co-CEO, Dough / Tastytrade

• Brian Spaly, CEO, Trunk Club

• Emerson Spartz, CEO, Spartz Media

• Bobby Stephens, President & COO, Bucketfeet

• Sheila Talton, President, CEO, Grey Matter Analytics

• Chuck Templeton, Chairman of the Board, Impact Engine

• Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategy & Innovation Officer, Vivaki

• John Tracy, CTO, Boeing

• Charlie Tribbett, Co-Founder, bolstr

• Howard Tullman, CEO, 1871

• Guy Turner, Managing Partner, Hyde Park Venture Partners

• Craig Ulliott, CTO & VP Product, Belly

• Ryan Unger, Co-Founder & CTO, Punchkick Interactive

• Eric Vassilatos, Co-Founder, Vivid Seats

• David Vinca, Founder & CEO, eSpark Learning

• Dan Wagner, FFounder & CEO, Civis Analytics

• Tony Weisman, CEO, Digitas North America

• Jim Wicks, CVP, Consumer Experience Design, Motorola

• Kevin Willer, Partner, Chicago Ventures

• Craig Wortmann, Clinical Professor of Entrepreneurship and CEO and Founder, University of Chicago - Booth School of Business

• Desiree Vargas Wrigley, Co-founder & CEO, GiveForward

• Sam Yagan, CEO, Match.com

• Michael Yagley, Co-Founder & CTO, TempoDB

1871, TECHSTARS AND SOCIAL CRUNCH INCLUDED IN 3 SEGMENTS OF EPISODE 5 OF CHICAGOLAND

SEGMENT ONE




SEGMENT TWO



SEGMENT THREE

TRIBECA FLASHPOINT ACADEMY CHAIRMAN HOWARD TULLMAN IN CRAIN'S TECH 50 FOR 2013

CRAIN'S TECH 50 - Watch here: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/multimedia?project=Sneak%20Peek&title=Tech%2050&r=7777H2150356B9R

Watch the video here: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/section/multimedia?project=Sneak%20Peek&title=Tech%2050&r=7777H2150356B9R

TECH STARS INTRODUCES THE CLASS OF 2013 AT 1871 EVENT

CHICAGO CREATIVE SPACE LAUNCH EVENT AT RED FROG WITH CHICAGO CEOs

                   WATCH THE INTRODUCTORY VIDEO HERE: https://vimeo.com/58070546

START-UP ILLNOIS TEAM MEETS AT 1871 FOR UPDATE WITH SCOTT CASE

Built In Chicago Turns 2 Yrs Old and Announces Advisory Board, Growth Plans

posted by Maria Christopoulos Katris

 

on 11/29/2012 10:11 am

 

• 1387 VIEWS
 
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I couldn’t be happier to announce that Built In Chicago recently turned two years old. This anniversary comes at an exciting time for us, marking significant progress since we first began bringing digital entrepreneurs together in Chicago.  And to make our two-year anniversary sweeter, Built In Chicago was recently named one of “The Best Organizations for Entrepreneurs” by Forbes. The local and national spotlight is shining brighter than it ever has on Chicago, and with a digital startup launching every 48 hours, we are dedicated to continuing this growth trajectory.

So I figured there is no better time than today to announce our recently created Advisory Board and share some exciting news about the growth of Built In Chicago.

Each of the advisors below has had a deep personal connection to Built In Chicago since its inception and has provided our team with incredible guidance, time and support. I would be remiss if I did not specifically mention our awesome founder, Matt Moog, who without his vision, determination and support none of this would exist. 

A collective commitment to support what Troy Henikoff calls “the glue of Chicago’s digital technology community” is what truly defines this advisory board. Each member brings a unique background and is deeply dedicated to our mission of connecting, educating and promoting digital entrepreneurs and innovators.

The Advisory Board

	Board Chair, Matt Moog (Founder, Built In Chicago and Founder & CEO, Viewpoints)
	Troy Henikoff (Co-Founder & CEO, Excelerate Labs)
	Eric Lunt (CTO, BrightTag and Co-Founder & Former CTO, Feedburner)
	Matt McCall (Partner, New World Ventures)
	Howard Tullman (Founder & CEO, Tribeca Flashpoint Academy)
	Sam Yagan (CEO, Match, Inc., and Co-Founder, Excelerate Labs)

“Built In Chicago has been essential in bringing unity and clarity to all parts of the Chicago ecosystem ranging from entrepreneurs to corporations to students to investors,” said Matt McCall. “New World Ventures, and I, look forward to providing the guidance and support necessary to continue this exciting growth.”

“Lots of cities talk a good game – we’ve shown that real metrics matter,” Howard Tullman said. “The Built In Chicago team has really connected the movers and shakers in the Chicago digital revolution with each other in powerful ways that are unique and well-suited to the new digital economy. There’s absolutely no question that Built In Chicago has made the players in the rest of the country sit up and take notice of what’s going on here.”

While everyone has been working together on this mission, our site has shown enormous growth – now boasting more than 11,000 registered members and receiving nearly 70,000 visits per month – which we’re confident will continue well into the future.

“As an entrepreneur, I have seen firsthand the importance of data and how it can be used to create, communicate and empower. I hope my experience can aid in the creation of future success for Built In Chicago and the digital community and am thrilled to invest in the mission,” said Sam Yagan.

Although the data can only begin to reflect all that Built In Chicago has become, here are a few stats to give you the gist:

• The job board receives nearly 40,000 visits/month and has served as an invaluable resource for successful companies, including BrightTag, Belly, GrubHub, Orbitz, Walgreens, redbox and Braintree, to hire talent. 
• Together with the CEC (Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center), we’ve had 45 companies pitch at our monthly Launch events this year and have had more than 4,000 people attend.
• In partnership with New World Ventures, our first annual Moxie Awards (who could forget the Best Beard Award?) welcomed 900 attendees, attracted 70,000 votes across 21 award categories, received media coverage from our partners NBC5 and Fast Company and welcomed incredible speakers such as Mayor Rahm Emanuel and J.B. Pritzker.
• The D Conference showcased the incredible design talent we have here in Chicago and attracted several leading design thinkers from the West Coast to a great day at the Morningstar Theater for a thought-provoking discussion about Design as the Competitive Advantage for digital companies. Forbes contributor Kelly Reid wrote an incredible piece on the conference.
• Our quarterly data reports have garnered local and national media for Chicago-based companies from the likes of the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the New York Times, Fast Company and more.

 

“I think everyone in the Chicago tech scene has been able to feel the energy and excitement building over the past couple of years. Nothing typifies this momentum better than the Built In Chicago community. I believe that Built In Chicago can grow and become more ambitious, transitioning from a chronicle of the activity going on to becoming a true catalyst. I look forward to playing a part in this mission,” said Eric Lunt.

The Built In expansion

In addition to all the activity happening here in Chicago, and as a direct result of the success of Built In Chicago, we are excited to announce the launch of several new sites in Denver (Built In Denver) and Los Angeles (Built In L.A. (coming soon!)). We have partnered with some awesome entrepreneurs to launch both of these sites and are thrilled they’ve agreed to join the Built In movement and build their respective digital communities. We look forward to more sites launching in 2013 and adding Built In to the long list of great digital startup success stories coming out of Chicago.

“The formation of the advisory board is an important milestone in the growth of both Built In Chicago and our growing digital community,” said Matt Moog. “Thank you to Troy, Eric, Matt, Howard and Sam for agreeing to serve, and congratulations to Maria for being a true entrepreneur and bringing the idea for Built In to life.  As we expand in Chicago and around the country, it is gratifying to know that the Chicago community has helped to launch a successful startup that will serve as a catalyst for a global entrepreneurial movement in cities around the world.”

As one of Built In Chicago’s earliest and biggest supporters, and now as CEO, I’ve had the opportunity to witness the growth of the site and the incredible community we call home. Plus, I’ve had the honor to work with a great team to make it all happen: Adam Calica, the Lechleider Mitchell development team and freelancers/contributors such as Amina Elahi, Branson Pierce, Carlin Sack, Alexxandra Miles and more.

This growth has been no easy feat, but the many startup enthusiasts that inhabit Chicago (read: YOU) make every minute worthwhile and rewarding. We want to thank you all, sincerely, for working fearlessly and tirelessly each day to build your companies and support the digital ecosystem now forming in Chicago. You inspire us, motivate us and challenge us to keep building each and every day.

Happy Holidays,

Maria Katris