Founding Sponsors

In May 2011, J.B. Pritzker (New World Ventures), Eric Lefkofsky (Lightbank/Groupon), Joe Mansueto (Morningstar) and Bob Fealy ( The Duchossois Group)  all generously agreed to become the founding sponsors of Built In Chicago and gave us $100,000 to take the community to the next level.  

J.B. Pritzker, Founder New World Ventures

Mr. Pritzker is Managing Partner and co-founder of The Pritzker Group, a private investment firm, and founder of New World Ventures, an early-stage information technology investors. A founding board member of the Illinois Venture Capital Association, a founding director of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, and founder of the public/private Illinois Innovation Accelerator Fund, Mr. Pritzker has been a leading proponent of a stronger technology sector focus in the Midwest.

Founded by Mr. Pritzker in 1996, New World Ventures invests in early stage information technology companies, principally focused on enterprise software, IT infrastructure and IT managed services. The firm is among Chicago’s leading VC investors and has been among the earliest lead investors in over 40 companies, including Lefthand Networks, Everdream, TicketsNow.com, Sportvision and eCollege.com.

In 2008, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce awarded Mr. Pritzker the Entrepreneur Champion Award for his efforts assisting business creation. Crain's Chicago Business honored him with the designation as a business leader in its "40 under 40," and "Who's Who of Chicago Business." The Chicago Sun-Times named him to its "Hot 100" most prominent members of Chicago's technology economy, and The City Club of Chicago awarded him Citizen of the Year. Mr. Pritzker is an attorney and a member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations. He graduated with an A.B. in political science from Duke University and earned his J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. He lives in Chicago, Illinois with his wife and children.

Eric Lefkofsky, Co-Founder Lightbank

Eric Lefkofsky is the co-founder of LightBank, a venture fund focused on helping disruptive technology businesses. He is also a founder and director of several firms, including InnerWorkings, Inc. (NASDAQ: INWK), a global provider of managed print and promotional solutions; Echo Global Logistics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ECHO), a technology-enabled transportation and logistics outsourcing firm; MediaBank, LLC, a leading provider of integrated media procurement technology; and Groupon.com, Inc., an online collective buying website.
Eric serves on the board of directors of Children's Memorial Hospital, the board of trustees of the Steppenwolf Theatre, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Eric is the author of Accelerated Disruption and an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Michigan Law School.

Joe Mansueto, Chairman and CEO, Morningstar

Joe Mansueto founded Morningstar in 1984. He has served as chairman since the company’s inception, and as chief executive officer from inception to 1996 and from 2000 to present. 
In October 2010, Mansueto received a Tiburon CEO Summit award, and MutualFundWire.com named Mansueto ninth on its list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2010. Mansueto received the 2007 Skip Viragh Award, sponsored by Rydex Investments and Financial Advisor magazine, which recognizes new and innovative services that positively impact the financial advisor community. In 2007, the Chicago Sun-Times and Kuczmarski & Associates awarded Mansueto their 2007 Visionary Award, and included him among 10 winners of the 2007 Chicago Innovation Award. Also that year, SmartMoney magazine recognized Mansueto in the “SmartMoney Power 30,” its annual list of the top 30 most powerful forces in business and finance. He received the Distinguished Entrepreneurial Alumnus Award from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business in 2000. In 1993, he was given the KPMG Peat Marwick High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and in 1992 won the Rosenthal Award for Excellence in Investment Research from the University of Chicago. 
Before founding Morningstar, Mansueto was a securities analyst at Harris Associates. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Bob Fealy, President, COO and Director, Duchossois Group

Robert L. Fealy is President, Chief Operation Officer and Director of The Duchossois Group, a privately-held company headquartered in Elmhurst, IL. Bob also is Chairman of the Board of Directors of AMX, Brivo Systems and Milestone AV Technologies, and the Managing Director of Duchossois Technology Partners.

He serves on the Board of Directors and Executive Strategy Committees of Churchill Downs, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company. He also serves on the Boards of The Chamberlain Group, Pella Corporation, and Radeum, Inc. He is a founding Board member of the Illinois Venture Capital Association and Treasurer of the IVCA-PAC. He has been awarded the 2010 Richard J. Daley Medal by the IVCA for his support of the Illinois venture capital and private equity community. He also is Chairman of the Illinois Innovation Accelerator Fund and a limited partner and mentor to Excelerate!, the Chicago-based boot camp for start-up companies.

Prior to joining Duchossois, Bob served in several senior roles at Cummins Engine Company, including Vice President of Business Strategy and Treasurer. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati (BBA 1973) and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive). He is a member of The Economic Club of Chicago, the Executives’ Club of Chicago and the National Venture Capital Association. He is a Trustee of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, a member of the UC Business Advisory Council and Co-Chair of the Proudly Cincinnati Capital Campaign. He was the 2009 UC College of Business recipient of the Carl H. Lindner Award for Outstanding Business Achievement.