Uber Works launched in Chicago. Uber has dipped its toes into a new industry yet again. This time, the tech giant has launched a platform where people can post or apply for service jobs like general labor, warehouse work, restaurant and catering jobs, customer service and more. The posts are geared towards gig workers and temp jobs, so people can decide how long they want to work and when. Kind of like driving for Uber. [Built In Chicago]
NOCD raised $4 million in Series A funding. NOCD is a digital health company that helps people deal with OCD by giving them the right resources. The company is backed by specially trained clinicians who provide video-based diagnostic assessments and therapy. The company was founded by CEO Stephen Smith, who has OCD himself. The new funding will help NOCD expand across the nation. [Press release]
Kenna Security raised $48 million in Series D funding. While the cybersecurity company is based in San Francisco, it has a major office in Chicago. The new round of funding will help the company expand across the board and add more roles in Chicago. [Press release]
InContext Solutions acquired augmented reality app Staccar from Smudge Apps. The app uses augmented reality to help retailers visualize objects like display units, signs and other things you’d typically find in stores. It was not disclosed how much InContext paid to acquire Staccar. [Press release]
Crisp appointed a new CMO and strategic advisor. Crisp is a “social media safety” firm that helps companies maintain a proper brand image online. The company recently opened up its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, and now it’s appointing several executives. This includes Michael Stern as CMO and Paul Rand as a strategic advisor.
Chicago startup Digs just got accepted into Berkeley’s Housing Lab. The Chicago fintech startup, which helps first-time homebuyers by partnering a savings app with coaching about the process of buying a house, will receive a $100,000 grant as well as six months of coaching. The Housing Lab is an incubator focused exclusively on organizations that aim to lower housing costs. [Press release]
