SpringCM raises the bar for 2018 Chicago tech exits
Late Tuesday, cloud-based document management platform SpringCM announced it had been acquired by DocuSign in a deal worth $220 million cash. This deal may have been a long time coming as the two companies work in similar spaces and have been fully integrated partners since September 2015. This is the city’s largest exit of the year, although Home Chef’s $200 million deal with Kroger could be worth up to $700 million if the meal kit delivery company hits a series of five-year growth goals. [Built In Chicago]
New survey reveals what a Chicagoan wants, what a Chicagoan needs (in an office)
A new Capital One survey of 500 Chicago professionals has revealed the features and design elements the city’s office workers find most compelling. According to the results, the most desirable office design elements are natural light, easily reconfigured furniture and workspaces, and artwork and other creative imagery. A whopping 84 percent of respondents said they get their best ideas when working in flexible spaces, while 62 percent said an office’s design and environment are more important than location when it comes to choosing a new job. [MarketWatch]
project44 goes global with new solution
Logistics technology company project44 has launched a new global tracking and address validation solution. The company's new API integrates with 115 regional and international carriers, including FedEx, UPS, USPS and more. According to the company, any carriers not currently integrated with the new solution can get on board in less than two weeks and at no cost. [Business Wire]
Tovala has something cooking in Lincoln Park
Smart oven startup Tovala has opened a pop-up shop in Lincoln Park. The new brick-and-mortar store literally lets consumers try before they buy, with shoppers given the chance to taste dishes prepared in the company’s $299 intelligent cooking device. Tovala’s pop-up shop is located at 939 W. Armitage, and will remain open until September 15. “Seeing in person how easy the whole experience is and getting to taste Tovala Meals has been an ‘aha moment’ for many of our customers,” said co-founder and CEO David Rabie in a statement. [Press release]
Vacation Fund and Chicago are in it for the long-term
Toronto-based Vacation Fund has named the Windy City its United States headquarters. The Canadian company, which enables companies to offer employer-matched vacation savings accounts as a benefit, is a member of the 2018 Techstars Chicago cohort. Welcome to Chicago, new friends. [LinkedIn Pulse]
Percent Pledge’s new partnership really hits the spot
On Thursday, Percent Pledge announced it has partnered with SpotHero to make it easier for the parking technology company’s employees to give back. Percent Pledge’s platform lets users donate a portion of their monthly paychecks to charitable causes. Instead of choosing one organization, users donate to multiple charities working toward similar goals, which are grouped into “cause portfolios.”
“SpotHero values giving back to causes that create a positive social impact, so we see Percent Pledge as an exciting new way to empower our team to live that core value,” said SpotHero Senior Director of People Nikki Facchini in a statement. [Press release]
Chicago tech welcomes new execs and board members
Lori McInerney is Opternative’s new Chief Marketing Officer. McInerney was most recently vice president of marketing at Shiftgig. Prior to that, she spent a decade leading sales and marketing teams at CareerBuilder. [Newswire]
Dr. Chris Kryder is the new executive chairman of higi’s board of directors. Dr. Kryder was most recently chairman of Valence Health and was the founder of D2Hawkeye, a healthcare data solutions company. The announcement comes hot on the heels of the company’s most recent funding round, a $21.3 million Series C. [Press release]
InnerWorkings announced that Jack Greenberg, the company’s lead independent director, will return to his previous position as chairman of the board of directors. The move will be made after the completion of the company’s annual stockholders meeting, which takes place on September 6.
The company has also named Lindsay Corby to its board of directors as an independent director. Corby is Byline Bank’s executive vice president and chief financial officer.
But wait, there’s more. InnerWorkings also announced that Adam Gutstein would be named an independent director. Gutstein previously served on the company’s board in 2010, and his second go-around will begin October 1. [BusinessWire]
