Chicago’s tech industry may not receive as much attention as places like Silicon Valley. Still, the city’s tech sector has not only experienced significant growth in the past decade — an 18 percent increase, according to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce — it also has a long history of inventiveness and innovation.
Chicago-based tech leaders have invented some of the most impactful technologies we rely on today. Cell phones, vacuum cleaners, automatic dishwashers, car radios and magnetic recording are all credited to the Windy City’s bright minds. The Wienermobile and the roller derby also deserve honorable mention as fun inventions that sprung from the area.
Decades have passed since the advent of these inventions, but Chicago remains a magnet for innovative thinkers and tech industry leaders who are working on the next life-changing project we’ll discuss in the years to come. Built In Chicago selected these eight companies working on exciting innovations for the future.
What Discover Financial Services does: Discover is a direct banking and payment services company that offers customers financial solutions — credit cards, home loans, student loans, savings accounts and more — that build a brighter future.
Hiring now: Discover has big plans for the future, including hiring over 75 employees for its Chicago location. Built In Chicago chatted with Senior Manager of Software Engineering Divya Shampur in 2022 to learn more about what she looks for in candidates. “It is prudent to question the why, the how and the why now of any solution we are implementing,” she said. “A problem-solver mindset is critical to implement a continuous improvement cycle that ensures stable and robust products.”
Continuous innovation: For VP of Technology Capabilities and Innovation Angel Diaz, there is always room for improvement. “When a company displays that ability to continuously improve, it has a solid culture of innovation,” Diaz said while speaking to Built In Chicago in 2022. “Innovation is encouraged, celebrated and rewarded in the context of everything we do.”
What Intelligent Medical Objects does: Intelligent Medical Objects is a healthcare data enablement company that creates clinical terminology and insights solutions physicians and hospitals use to power better patient care.
Career support: Manager of Talent Development Chrissy Delicata shared an inside look at IMO’s professional development opportunities: “We strive to build skills for the future through our learning programming, such as the IMO Mentorship Program, [as well as] in-person and online workshop offerings, and regular development conversations with leadership.”
Committed to diversity: IMO’s focus on diversity and inclusion< is evident across all levels of the organization. CEO Ann Barnes requires 50 percent of the resumes she sees while hiring on her team to belong to women. Employee resource groups, including a People with Disabilities cohort, help foster inclusivity while providing an avenue for team members to share experiences.
What Fyllo does: AdTech company Fyllo offers marketing and regulatory solutions that provide companies with the tools, data and integrations needed to scale and grow efficiently.
Hiring now: Fyllo is currently in a hiring period, and Built In Chicago spoke to Product Director of Data and Analytics Emi Moriarty to hear what drew her to the company and why others should consider applying. “It was impossible to turn down the prospect of joining such an energized group of people building something truly unique, a rarity in a saturated data provider space,” said Moriarty.
Enviable perks and benefits: Fyllo’s commitment to building an environment where employees can reach their full potential is rooted in great benefits: Generous parental leave, flexible hybrid and remote arrangements, extensive health and wellness offerings and unlimited PTO are a few notable examples.
What Reverb does: Reverb is an e-commerce marketplace that connects all varieties of musicians to high-quality sellers of instruments and goods. The company was chosen as one of Built In Chicago’s Best Places to Work in 2023.
A fine-tuned hybrid work model: As a company focused on musicians, Reverb’s team unsurprisingly understands that some of the best things in life can’t be found or reproduced virtually. “We heard that longing to be together again from employees, even if it’s not every day of every single week. But we didn’t want to box people into making a decision about their work mode before they had the chance to test things out,” Head of People Ruba Al Badawi told Built In Chicago in 2022.
An inclusive culture: Built In Chicago chatted with Chief Product Officer Bradford Shellhammer about his experience joining Reverb’s team in 2022, and he shared a meaningful moment at a companywide party. “Everyone went out of their way to be like, ‘What would you like to sing?’” Shellhammer said. “It showed me that Reverb was this inclusive place where people want to have a good time and share experiences.”
What Fast Radius does: Fast Radius is a 3D printing and hardware company that advises manufacturers through every step of the development process and connects them with the technology needed to turn designs into products.
Fostering cross-team collaboration: VP of Product Danielle Lopez told Built In Chicago about how Fast Radius’ engineering, product and design teams uplift each other’s work. “I find when a product manager has a deeper technical understanding of a product, it strengthens this relationship,” she said. “It means the PM holistically understands the scope of any engineering changes and helps them communicate effectively with the team.”
Acquired and growing: Fast Radius was acquired in December by Michigan-based SyBridge in a deal worth $15.85 million. The company is currently hiring< data and analytics, developers, engineers and operations as it enters an exciting growth period.
What Color Brands does: Logistics company Color Brands distributes leading food, beverage, nutrition, health and beauty brands’ products to retailers worldwide. The buy-and-sell distributor helps brands deliver a strategic approach to the international marketplace.
Excitement for the future: When Built In Chicago asked HR Specialist Liz Lopez why she had joined Color Brands, she explained that the palpable feeling of drive and motivation was the deciding factor. “Color Brands has a very bright future ahead with many opportunities for growth across all departments,” said Lopez in the 2022 interview.
Accessible leadership: There isn’t an ivory tower in sight for Color Brands’ employees. “Our leadership team is accessible, supportive and driven to build a company culture that is inclusive and has an emphasis on teamwork,” said VP of Human Resources Jake Smith. “We value the hard work that Color Brands employees put in on a daily basis and work side by side with our teams to provide the support they need to succeed.
What Hologram does: Hologram’s vision of the future is one where devices of all kinds are connected to the internet. The company is working to bring that vision to fruition through its global cellular platform and network.
Remote, not isolated: As the company works externally to provide greater connectivity, internally it is focused on helping remote employees feel connected. For Chief of Staff Flavia Logsdon, a variety of communication tools and a host of opportunities for socializing have created a remote environment that doesn’t sacrifice relationships.
Mission-driven teams: Built In Chicago spoke with professionals at Hologram to gain insights into what makes Hologram a special place to work and what motivates them. “People are deeply invested in the work that they’re doing; they care about getting the right outcomes for customers and for the business,” said Software Engineering Manager Rupert Deese.
What Catch Co. does: E-commerce and digital media company Catch Co. is on a mission to bring people outdoors. The company creates products, content and shopping experiences for the more than 50 million Americans who fish.
Generous PTO: Catch Co.’s goal to “rescue humanity from the indoors” applies to its own team members, not just clients. In addition to the company’s “take what you need” PTO policy, employees are encouraged to take off three continuous weeks every three years.
Not your average perks: Catch Co. provides great baseline benefits like extensive medical, life, dental and disability insurance, but the company also offers so much more. A monthly Mystery Tackle Box Pro membership, a pet-friendly HQ office (and generous pet insurance), two yearly company retreats and volunteer partnerships with organizations like the Special Olympics are a small sampling of Catch Co.’s perks.
