Chicago tech roundup: Instacart expands, Google helps businesses get online, and more

by Doug Pitorak
April 30, 2015

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Google launches small business assistance program in Chicago

A mere 37 percent of businesses have a local listing on a search engine. Therefore, Google has launched a new initiative to help small businesses develop a website and use it to their benefit. The program, called Let’s Put Our Cities on the Map, offers a free website and listings on Google Maps and Search, as well as an array of workshops for business owners to attend. According to the program’s website, the program has helped more than 43,000 businesses in Chicago. [Google Launches New Chicago Program to Help Small Businesses Build their Online Presence: ChicagoInno]



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Chicago executives fill up finalists list for EY’s entrepreneur of the year award

EY announced this week that CEO Al Goldstein of Avant, CEO Brad Wilson of Brad’s Deals, CEO Stuart Frankel of Narrative Science, CEO Mike Sands of Signal, CTO Eric Lunt of Signal, and CRO Marc Kiven of Signal are finalists for the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 Award in the Midwest. The awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Award winners will be announced at a special gala event on June 17th at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers in Chicago.



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ShipBob raises $1M seed round

Chicago-based ShipBob is set to enter a second market, and it will have a nice sum of money to help out. According to co-founder and CEO Dhruv Saxena, the on-demand shipping startup raised $1 million in seed funding this week. Investors include SV Angels, Funders Club and WeFunder, as well as other angel investors, he said. The financing is a convertible loan. With the funding, Saxena said ShipBob will launch this summer in Brooklyn, New York. In addition, he said ShipBob will use some of the funding to hire developers and engineers. [Built In Chicago]



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Centro signs lease on new 70,000 square foot office

Centro, a provider of enterprise-class software for digital advertising, announced yesterday a multi-year lease with Sullivan Center in Chicago to occupy 70,000 square feet in the landmark building in the Loop. The company will move its headquarters, with more than 250 local employees, to the structure by the end of the year. Centro will have a sizable presence in the heart of the business capital of the Midwest. The development has been endorsed by World Business Chicago (WBC), a not-for-profit economic development organization chaired by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.



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120 Sports partners with Pro Football Focus

On Wednesday, 120 Sports and Pro Football Focus announced a partnership that will combine Pro Football Focus' industry leading, advanced NFL and college football analytics with the state-of-the-art digital production capabilities of 120 Sports to create must-see programming for football fans. Covering all topics surrounding football, the current 120 Sports Football Fix program will be rebranded "The 120 Sports Football Fix Powered by Pro Football Focus" and will run live Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. -2 p.m. ET.  Pro Football Focus' exclusive and proprietary grading system, which analyzes and grades the performance of every player on every play of every game, will provide compelling and unique insights into the match-ups on the field that sports fans have come to value and expect from 120 Sports. This partnership is a further reflection of 120 Sports' dedication to enhancing its coverage to include greater depth and the one-of-a-kind, analytical data that football fans desire.



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Instacart service expands west of the city

On Tuesday, Instacart began operating in west suburbs, including Naperville, Oak Brook, Westmont, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, and Downers Grove. Furthermore, Instacart will foray into pet supplies, as it has finalized a deal with Petco to start delivering products from its stores. [Instacart expanding delivery into western suburbs: Chicago Tribune]



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GrubHub Q1 revenue increased 51 percent year-over-year

GrubHub Inc. announced Wednesday the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015. It posted $88.2 million in revenue, a 51 percent year-over-year increase from $58.6 million in 2014 Q1. GrubHub’s Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA was $28.3 million, a 72 percent year-over-year increase from $16.4 million in 2014 Q1. The net income reported was $10.6 million, a 143 percent year-over-year spike from $4.4 million in 2014 Q1.



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Amazon.com leases warehouse in Goose Island

Goose Island is soon to be home to the first Amazon.com warehouse in Illinois. The massive e-commerce company has leased a 51,970-square-foot warehouse at 1111 N. Cherry Ave. The space will help Amazon.com’s efforts to offer convenient delivery of products to customers. [Amazon.com to put first Chicago warehouse on Goose Island: Crain’s Chicago Business]


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