Kunal Kapoor named Morningstar's new CEO
After more than 30 years at the helm of Morningstar, Founder Joe Mansueto announced on Tuesday that he is stepping down as the company’s CEO. Mansueto is passing the baton to Kunal Kapoor, who joined the company as a data analyst in 1997 and was named its president in 2015. Mansueto, who recently turned 60, is transitioning to an executive chairman role to spend more time focusing on the big picture of Morningstar’s strategy and technology. [Crain’s]
1871 announces new WiSTEM cohort
Last Thursday, 1871 announced the launch of its third WiSTEM cohort of women-led tech startups. “Women leaders have become a rising demographic in the tech community, and 1871 has worked tirelessly to build networks and opportunities for women entrepreneurs,” said WiSTEM co-facilitator Jessica Williams in a statement. “I am excited to see how the previous cohort will be able to assist the new members.” The cohort's 12 companies will go through a 16-week curriculum of programming centered around technology, community and capital. [Press release]
CME Group to open UIUC innovation center
On Friday, derivatives marketplace CME Group is opening a new technology research and innovation center in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Research Park. The center will give the university’s engineering and computer science students the opportunity to get hands-on experience with fintech applications of concepts like distributed ledgers, data analytics and machine learning. [Press release]
Cars.com speeds toward IPO
On Wednesday, TEGNA announced its intent to spin off Chicago-based subsidiary Cars.com as a separate public company. “Spinning off Cars.com from TEGNA will establish two strong, industry-leading companies that are well positioned to compete and to continue to profitably grow in their targeted markets,” said President and CEO Gracia Martore in a statement. The company is also weighing its options for recruitment solutions provider CareerBuilder. [Press release]
Chicago entrepreneur to be featured on “Roadtrip Nation”
VisMed-3D founder and tech diversity advocate Dima Elissa is being featured in the PBS docu-series "Roadtrip Nation" this month. The show’s current season, “Code Trip,” follows computer science grads traveling across the country to speak with leaders in their field. The Chicago episode will be released digitally on September 15 and aired by WYCC-TV on September 18. [Chicago Tribune]
Mason’s Detour through Chicago
Detour, a San Francisco-based audio tour startup founded by former Groupon CEO and founder Andrew Mason, just launched its service in Chicago. The company’s initial Chicago offerings include walking tours of Wrigleyville, Grant Park and downtown, with plans for six additional tours to be available by November. Upcoming tour locations include Old Town and Wicker Park. [Chicago Tribune]
Images via listed companies, Danielle Scruggs and Shutterstock.
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