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Infographic is sponsored by Brad Serot of CBRE.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Built In Chicago today announced the 2014 list of the Top 100 Digital Technology Companies in Chicago. New to this year’s list are a diverse range of companies including Raise, Wyzant, Channel IQ, Load Delivered Logistics and Silver Chalice. According to Built In Chicago, more than 49,000 people are employed in the City’s technology economy, a 23 percent increase over 2013 and up nearly fifty percent from 2012, and there are now more than 2,100 digital technology companies in Chicago.
“The diversity of digital technology companies on the Top 100 is a testament to the depth of talent in our workforce and the vitality of the City’s tech economy,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Chicago has nearly doubled the number of jobs in technology in the last three years, and it is companies like these that are critical to continuing that growth and helping to achieve our goal of doubling the City’s tech workforce in the next decade.”
Some of the fastest growing digital technology companies in Chicago in 2014 include AvantCredit, Braintree, Vivid Seats, ContextMedia, Jellyvision, GoHealth, Signal, Fieldglass and Rewards Network. AvantCredit makes its debut at number 19. The company, which provides personal loans and credit lines has raised over $100 million of equity and $500 million of debt capital, and seen tremendous growth in only its second year of operations, with 1,000 percent revenue growth and 500 percent personnel growth.
“We look forward to completely transforming the consumer financial system with advanced credit scoring using diverse data sources and a fully online process," CEO Al Goldstein said.
Online ticket marketplace Vivid Seats is one of the few companies in the Top 100 that has grown rapidly without institutional capital, climbing 14 spots this year to number 33.
"We're very excited to be involved in Chicago's rapidly growing digital economy. Our local tech and digital marketing teams helped drive two important service line launches this year, and we've built out a new corporate office in a great part of the city to continue growing our team," said Eric Vassilatos, Vivid Seats Co-Founder.
While all of the Top 100 companies have a significant local presence, many have been instrumental in solidifying Chicago’s growth position in the global technology scene. Orbitz, which was founded in Chicago in 2001 and continues to show solid growth globally, remains on the list.
“Our focus on mobile leadership and industry-leading loyalty programs is fueling our growth in Chicago and across the globe,” said Orbitz Worldwide CEO Barney Harford. “We are attracting top-notch technology talent because of that success and solidifying our long-standing place at the top of the Chicago tech sector.”
