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To ThoughtWorks' CTO, talent doesn't always come with an Ivy League degree
As CTO of a software consultancy with offices all over the world, Rebecca Parsons helps organizations like Amnesty International, the U.K. government, Target and Starwood enhance their digital strategies. According to Parsons, ThoughtWorks’ biggest asset is a bank of hard-earned lessons. With a Ph.D. in computer science from Rice University and years of industry and research experience, Parsons’ credentials are paralleled by few.
Tech roundup: Yello's funding round, League chooses Chicago for U.S. headquarters and more
Yello, a Chicago-based recruiting software provider, announced on Wednesday that it has raised a $31 million Series C round of funding to accelerate growth. JMI Equity led the round, in which existing investor First Analysis also participated. The deal brings Yello's total funding to more than $45 million. [Built In Chicago] League, a Toronto-based startup that lets companies provide flexible health benefits to their employees, announced on Tuesday that it has opened a U.S. office in Chicago.
CTOs to know: Meet the top techies at 4 leading Chicago tech companies
Chief technology officers wear a lot of hats. As the head of a company's technology outfit, the CTO is involved in strategic decisions about which technologies to go with, methodologies to adopt and how to foster a culture that breeds innovation. At the same time, they also need to keep an eye out for emerging technologies and think about how today's decisions can impact the business in the long term.
Like breaking stuff? These 5 companies are hiring in test and QA
No matter how good your developers are, it’s impossible to predict everything that can go wrong. For that reason, every tech team needs engineers whose primary job is to find out where the system is vulnerable. If you’ve got tech chops and a passion for figuring out how to break stuff, we suggest checking out the roles these companies have to offer. What they do: Legacy.com provides online obituary solutions for more than 1,500 newspapers across the English-speaking world.
Why closerlook's CTO is keeping an eye on machine learning
Michael Tapson, CTO of closerlook, is keenly watching developments in machine learning and natural language processing. Like many players in marketing technology, his company is constantly looking for an edge in analytics, and the only way to maintain that edge is by automating as much of the process as possible.
5 Chicago tech events you'll definitely want to pencil in this week
Every week, we bring you the best events in Chicago tech. Read on for details, and check out our events calendar for more events. The Impact of Opportunity: Sales Panel at Outcome Health, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. Join panelists from Outcome Health, 1871 and LinkedIn for a discussion about how to sell a brand new kind of product to a marketplace that might not be familiar with it.
To Akuna Capital's CTO, challenges are the best parts of the job
As CTO of a fast-growing derivatives trading firm, Chris Smith knows a thing or two about performance optimization. Akuna Capital’s trading systems have to withstand unpredictable moments of volatility, during which data throughput can be 10 times higher than usual. At the same time, those systems need to be faster than those of Akuna’s competitors without becoming prohibitively expensive to run.
Ascent's founder wants to help finance leaders sleep better at night
For small businesses in highly scrutinized industries like financial services, keeping up with regulatory requirements can be a full-time job — and then some. Ascent, a Chicago-based regulatory technology company has built a platform that employs machine learning and domain-specific artificial intelligence to help firms navigate that complexity. “I was an attorney and a regulator,” said founder and CEO Brian Clark.
Buildout raises $8M Series A to make more than 30 new hires
Buildout, a Chicago-based real estate marketing startup, announced on Thursday that it has raised an $8 million Series A from Susquehanna Growth Equity. Buildout’s marketing software is designed specifically to meet the needs of the commercial real estate industry. Key features listed on the company’s website include the ability to instantly update websites, marketing materials, proposals, third-party listings and emails from a single location.
P2P learning? Chicago devs share the biggest lessons they've learned from a colleague
Your roles and responsibilities will probably change throughout your career, but the new knowledge you pick up from the people you work with will follow you no matter where you end up. That continued learning is particularly important for developers, because technological paradigms shift and because their work can have a major impact on other sides of the business.
Coming off a year of nearly 4,000 percent growth, Regroup Therapy just raised a $6M Series A
The Chicago-based startup, which uses video technology to deliver mental health services to underserved areas, announced on Thursday that it has raised a $6 million Series A round of funding led by OSF Ventures. Regroup Therapy, which raised a $1.8 million seed round last spring, has seen its annual recurring revenues grow by nearly 4,000 percent over the past year.
MUMZY is a crowdfunding platform for the internet's MacGuyver moms
MUMZY founder Catherine Merritt is a relatively new parent of two sons, but her marketing work and persistent networking got her in touch years ago with the internet's tight and thriving community of moms. “Before I even became a mom, I felt like I was one of the tribe,” Merritt said.
Mumzy partners with brands to get mom's idea rolling
They say necessity is the mother of invention. And moms — perhaps more than any other demographic — know necessity. From refashioning a diaper bag so that it's more functional or comfortable to multi-purposing an old playpen, they’re master crafters, inventors, and visionaries. MUMZY, a new Chicago crowdfunding platform, wants to marshal that maternal entrepreneurial spirit, building an online space for moms to share their ideas, provide support, and ultimately get their projects funded.
How this team’s AI analyzes half a billion social media posts - daily
We recently met with engineers at Chicago’s Networked Insights, who told us how they turn enormous quantities of data into actionable insights for clients. The conversation starts with the company's taxonomy for classifying the social media universe and ends with its engineering team's commitment to learning from failures. WHAT THEY DO: Networked Insights uses artificial intelligence to analyze more than half a billion social media posts daily.
Chicago tech kicks off summer with $70M raised in a single day
On Tuesday morning, three Chicago tech companies announced funding rounds for more than $10 million, hauling in more than $70 million between them. That news comes mere weeks after Outcome Health closed its first round of venture funding at a valuation of more than $5 billion. Not a bad way to start the summer. Check out the details of Tuesday's rounds below. Bio: Snapsheet makes mobile auto insurance software that makes it easier for drivers to submit their insurance claims.
Want skin in the game? These 5 companies offer equity to employees
Getting in on the ground floor of a fast-growing organization is an attractive proposition in and of itself, but many companies sweeten the deal even further by offering stock options to their employees. By offering a stake in the business, companies can foster a culture of ownership and allow employees to share in their success along the way. If that sounds like the kind of place you’d want to work, consider checking out the open jobs at these companies.
5 Chicago tech events to put on your calendar this week
Every week, we bring you the best events in Chicago tech. Read on for details, and check out our events calendar for more events. In a competitive field like fintech, getting the user experience right is critical to building a successful company. This panel discussion hosted by Women in Fintech will cover the differences between UI for consumer and B2B products, as well as how to work with potential users.
Why These Corporate Vets Make Strong Co-Founders
MUMZY today announced it is bringing on a co-founder to join Catherine Merritt, co-founder and CEO, in taking the mom-centric crowdfunding site to the next level. Elise Kern will be joining as a co-founder and COO. “I couldn’t be more excited to bring Elise on board, leverage her strong data, financial and insights expertise as we continue to evolve MUMZY and grow our community,” said Merritt.
Work-life balance and the future of UX: a Q&A with HS2's John Telford
Even if you’ve never heard of John Telford, you’ve probably encountered his work in the wild: Now Executive Solution Director at HS2 Solutions, one of his first jobs at the company was overseeing the development of the Domino’s pizza tracker. A former software developer, Telford switched career paths to become a technical project manager in order to have a bigger impact on the projects he was working on.
Cars.com opens strong on NYSE, plans move to new startup-inspired office
Cars.com hit a green wave on its first day on the New York Stock Exchange, with its stock price up more than six percent at close. The automotive website was spun off from Tegna, a Virginia-based broadcast and digital media company. Cars.com CEO Alex Vetter said the spinoff will help his company pursue its growth plans more aggressively.
Your new career is here: 8 Chicago tech companies hiring this month
If you’re looking for an opportunity to can kick your career into overdrive, you’ve come to the right place. These Chicago tech companies are hiring in a big way, and they’d love to have a look at your resume. What they do: Groupon’s on-demand marketplace connects consumers with local merchants offering deals on products and experiences. To do so efficiently, the company’s engineers stay on the cutting edge of mobile technologies, data science and machine learning.
Designed by Motorola vets, this smart doorbell streams video and turns the lights on
Setting your lights on timers is a time-tested way of deterring burglars while you’re away on vacation — but it’s an easy trick to see through for would-be intruders who do their homework. Xchime, a new smart doorbell designed by former Motorola engineers, connects with a smart light bulb to automatically turn on the lights when strangers come knocking (or, rather, ringing). It also streams video to your smartphone to let you see who’s coming and going while you’re away.
Outcome Health ditches bootstraps, raises $500M at $5B valuation
Bootstrapped since 2006, Outcome Health just became one of the best-funded companies in our tech ecosystem’s history. The Chicago healthtech company, which helps patients get better by providing actionable health information at the point of care, announced on Wednesday that it has raised its first round of funding ever at a valuation of more than $5 billion pre-money.
5 Chicago tech events you don't want to miss this week
Every week, we bring you the best events in Chicago tech. Read on for details, and check out our events calendar for more events. Build a Band of Misfits: The Art of Creating Powerful Innovation Teams, May 30 at 5 p.m. What does it take to build a team of innovators?
What it's like to be the boss: 4 Colorado CEOs open up
Many of us dream about being the boss, but how many consider what it’s like to actually lead a company? We checked in with four local startups’ CEOs to learn about their leadership styles and the ups and downs of their jobs. Blinker’s CEO, Rod Buscher started the 54-person company four years ago. He was previously founder and president of the John Elway dealerships and the founder and CEO of Summit Automotive dealerships. How would you describe your leadership style?
Tech roundup: eBags acquired by Samsonite, Go Code advances 10 winners and more
eBags to be acquired by Samsonite Samsonite began the process of acquiring Greenwood Village-based eBags this week. The company was founded by former Samsonite employees, and now the Hong Kong company plans to use eBags existing e-commerce reach to expand its own e-commerce capabilities. The acquisition involves a $105 million cash consideration. [Press release] Go Code Colorado, the annual civic tech challenge, advanced 10 winners following its first challenge weekend.
How 4 Colorado startups go above and beyond to welcome new employees
Your first day at a job can say a lot about what you can expect for your time with the company. To get a look inside the first days at Colorado startups, we asked a few new team members to share their experiences. How would you describe your first day? Everyone was extremely helpful, always asking if I needed anything and where to find anything. I was treated like I belonged, and that is hard to find.
Why this Colorado startup wants you to text your doctor instead of visiting their office
We’ve all been there: frantically trying to wrap up some work before bounding out of the office, in the rain, rushing to get to a doctor’s appointment on time… only for them to recommend something over-the-counter once you get there. It’s a frustrating and inconvenient scenario, but for some the situation is even worse. Patients struggle to get an appointment with their primary care doctor, so they end up in the ER — even though they don’t actually need to be there.
Go Code Colorado is This Weekend, and $25,000 Might Be the Smallest Reward
If you’ve already heard about Go Code Colorado—Colorado’s award-winning program that engages entrepreneurs and software develops to turn public data into business insights—you already know that the top three teams get $25,000 contracts to get their idea off the ground. What you may not know is that the top ten teams in the state get invaluable face time with prestigious startup incubators such as Techstars, House of Genius and Boomtown.
Recruiter pet peeves: What not to do when applying for your next tech gig
In the era of formatted resumes, creative applications and varied opinions, one of the most challenging parts of job searching is figuring out whether you should stick to the classic application and interview standards, or if taking a more personal approach would be better. After all, recruiters and hiring managers are all different — what one person expects from candidates might seem superfluous to another.
Why the Colorado Venture Summit has been a game-changer for so many tech leaders
Every year, dozens of tech executives and VCs gather in Denver to mix and mingle, have one-on-one meetings and explore mutual interests. These new relationships sometimes lead to funding deals right away; others can bear fruit a year or two down the line. The stage for this life-changing experience is the Colorado Venture Summit, now gearing up for its fourth year. The exclusive, curated event has sold out every year, with 65 venture-backed CEOs and nearly 60 out-of-state VCs attending in 2016.
Colorado tech brought in more than $20M in March. Here are the top 5 rounds
Colorado’s tech fundings hit a slight rough patch in March, closing just over $20 million in funding — a significant drop from the $87 million raised in February. But with some big-name acquisitions and mergers last month, including PivotDesk, Denverite and Zen Planner, it was still a big month for Colorado tech. And roughly half of the companies that raised money this month raised at least $1 million. Check out the top five rounds below.
You won't want to miss these 5 Colorado tech events this week
Every week, we dig through our events calendar and hand-select five events worth checking out. We’re looking forward to these five events: Inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, April 5 at 6 p.m. The Innovation Pavillion, Douglas County Schools and Better Together are hosting members of the community this week, designed to connect entrepreneurs and K-8 students to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Ever wanted to learn more about Bitcoin?
How 3 Colorado startups celebrate Fridays in style
Fridays are just the best, aren’t they? They give us time to reflect on the past week, get excited about the weekend and prepare for what’s coming next. Nearly every company has its own Friday ritual, from enjoying a beer or treats the last hour of the day to giving presentations during an all-hands meeting. We asked a few Colorado startups to share their Friday rituals — and we’d love to hear about yours, too. DigitalGlobe spends their Fridays celebrating a key team within their company.
Tech roundup: Denver a top city for women in tech, Alteryx IPOs and more
Earlier this week, New York-based Industrious acquired Colorado shared-office matching startup PivotDesk. Industrious, which creates sophisticated coworking and shared office spaces, plans to use PivotDesk’s product to improve its office searching capabilities. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
From dating to smart homes, here's how Colorado tech companies are using AI
It seems like Artificial Intelligence has been on the rise for ages, from that one movie with Haley Joel Osment to Siri and IBM’s Watson. As the technology has advanced, more companies are getting in on the fun, including ones in Colorado. Here are seven Colorado startups using AI and machine learning in their products. One of Colorado’s top adtech companies, AppThis helps brands place ads on apps around the world.
5 Colorado startups where your pup is part of the team
From dressing them up for the holidays to helping them get startup jobs of their own, it’s no secret folks in Colorado tech love our dogs — maybe a little too much. If you’re looking for a job where you can bring your fur-child to the office with you, look no further than these Colorado tech companies. Name.com, the Colorado-based domain registrar bringing you all those crazy domain extensions like .ninja, .forsale and .dentist are also a mega dog-friendly office. Other perks?
Check out this week's top 5 Colorado tech events
Every week, we dig through our events calendar and hand-select five events worth checking out. Here are our top picks for this week: The basics of raising capital, Mar. 28 at 5 p.m. For startup leaders looking to raise funds or brand-new entrepreneurs who don’t know anything about the capital world, the Founder Institute is hosting a workshop about the basics of raising money.
Sell yourself: what 3 recruiters actually look for in sales candidates
Working in sales means you should be able to convince a company to hire you in a snap, right? Well, the best ways to “sell yourself” may not be what you think. If you’re a salesperson looking for a new gig, we checked in with some recruiters to learn what they really want to see from your application. Dana Monroe is an HR recruiter for Layer3 TV, a Denver-based company seeking to change how we use cable. Pictured is Layer3 sales rep, Corrinne Willis.
New founders on the block: 6 Colorado entrepreneurs under 25
A lot can happen before someone turns 25: they might graduate college, discover their favorite beers (and learn their limits when it comes to quantity) or even travel the world. But before that milestone, most young adults are focused on landing their first real job — not on running a company. But there is always the exceptional exception — the ambitious overachiever putting 26-year-olds like me to shame. Here are six Colorado entrepreneurs who launched their startups before they turned 25.
Why coders code: 3 senior devs on what got them into programming
As a developer, you have plenty of great job options and the ability to work in almost any industry. But there’s usually a story behind the code — the reason you became a coder in the first place and jumped into a job that requires long hours and complex problem solving. We asked Colorado devs to share the stories behind what got them into programming and what they love about being a Centennial State coder. Answers from Scott Davis, principal engineer at ThoughtWorks.
Hey, number nerds: These 5 Colorado startups want you on their team
Do you love nerding out over numbers, data and statistics? Data science is a powerful part of the tech world these days, and Colorado companies need people to help make sense of all the information they’re collecting. Here are five jobs at Colorado startups that’ll help you put your numbers skills to work. What you’d do: You’d work with Arrow’s data to determine which technology tools are the right ones to impact the company’s business decisions.
Changing of the guard: Meet the new leaders at 7 Colorado tech companies
In the past few weeks, seven Colorado companies have experienced leadership shakeups. From new C-level execs to program directors, these companies are drawing from rich backgrounds spanning military, science and tech giants like Dell. Here are the new leaders in Colorado’s tech community this month: Denver’s Layer3 TV plans to revolutionize cable TV. They recently added Gregg Grigaitis to the team as the company’s Chief Product Officer.
This founder is on a mission to protect small businesses from cyber threats
Cybersecurity is an issue around the world, but it often takes a local approach to protect an organization from digital threats. Toggle is a Colorado Springs startup that helps local businesses stay in front of cyber threats and respond when attacked. “A lot of the challenges that we see, especially here in the Colorado Springs market, is that a lot of the small and mid-sized businesses are not aware of the risks that are posed to them on a day-to-day basis,” said Toggle founder Joseph Cheung.
Tech roundup: Blinker wins at SXSW, Baker brings in another $1.6M and more
Blinker, a Denver-based startup that connects buyers and sellers of used cars directly, took first place in the New Economy category of the SXSW Interactive Innovation Award on Tuesday. When a seller takes a photo of their car with Blinker, the app automatically pulls information like its make, model and service history, which is used to estimate the car’s value before putting up a listing. The company competed against a fellow Denver startup, Tokken, in the category.
5 Colorado tech companies at the intersection of tech and fitness
Fitness and technology sit on opposite ends of the lifestyle spectrum. The former promotes an active, on-the-go routine that eschews sitting in front of a screen at all costs; the latter, an integrated sense of connectedness that leans on gadgets and gizmos to eliminate problems and offer new, unlimited points of access to discover the world. But theirs is no oil-and-water rivalry.
WiSTEM alum talks the challenges of juggling startups and family life
Catherine Merritt doesn’t mince words in discussing the challenges of running a startup. “It’s like childbirth,” she said. “Nobody wants to know what it’s actually like beforehand because they wouldn’t actually go through it.” “But it’s so worth it,” she hastened to add. Merritt founded MUMZY, a crowdfunding platform for and by moms, in large part as an attempt to recognize and address the fact that mothers face unique challenges in the startup world.
50 Chicago startups to watch in 2016
Judging by the numbers in our 2015 Chicago startup report, Chicago tech just had its best year ever. This city was built on industry, however, so there’s no reason to think the tech community is about to rest on its laurels. Which companies will be at the vanguard of Chicago’s innovation in 2016? Just like last year, we’ve picked 50 startups we think are worth watching. To be included in our list, companies had to be digital tech-centered and founded within the last five years.
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