Showpad acquires Chicago software company for $50M
Showpad, a company that makes software for sales and marketing teams to help ensure a better buyer experience, acquired Learncore for $50 million, according to Crain’s. By combining the two platforms, Showpad hopes to equip sales team with better training opportunities. Between its recent launch of new engagement features, the expansion of offices in Amsterdam, Munich and Chicago, and the onboarding of new president and COO Jason Holmes, Showpad’s success is growing and the Learncore acquisition will add even more to their momentum. [PR Newswire]
Google and Facebook are reportedly planning to grow their Chicago offices
Tech giants Google and Facebook both have plans to add more than 100,000 square feet to their Chicago offices, according to the Chicago Tribune. The space that Facebook is eyeing would fit an additional 1,000 employees. Everyone seems to want in on the Chicago tech scene lately: the city is still under consideration for Amazon’s second headquarters, and city officials are reportedly also courting Apple for a new office. More news to come. [Chicago Tribune]
Peapod moves into new downtown HQ
Peapod, a grocery e-commerce platform, just moved their office from Skokie to Riverside Plaza in Chicago. Mayor Rahm Emanuel was at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the company’s year-over-year growth. One of Peapod’s intentions behind the move is to recruit top talent and expand its team to provide more consumers with convenient and affordable access to groceries. [PR Newswire]
Amazon Go zeroes in on Chicago locations
According to reporting by the Chicago Tribune, Amazon has signed leases for forthcoming Amazon Go locations in Chicago in Willis Tower and Ogilvie Transportation Center. Both locations will offer the retail titan an opportunity to pilot its cashierless convenience store concept with tourists and busy professionals alike. A spokesperson for the Seattle tech company declined the Tribune's request for comment. [Chicago Tribune]
Cvent takes Kapow under its wing
Once competitors and now BFFs, event companies Kapow and Cvent just merged into one. Kapow, a corporate event planning company that makes employee shindigs more fun, has over 10,000 venues and experiences available for customers to rent. Cvent is looking to use Kapow’s vast directory to benefit their existing customers. Cvent currently has 3,000 employees and is hoping to hire 1,000 new employees with the new acquisition. [Crain’s]
7 Chicago companies made high-level hires in May
The past month was a big one in hiring, with seven Chicago tech companies bringing on top-level talent. With experience working in sales at Yahoo, IBM and CEB, Jamie Fuller has been promoted to the new SVP of global partner development at STATS. Sprout Social hired Jamie Gilpin as their new chief marketing officer. Read more about who made big moves here. [Built In Chicago]
May fundings check in at $23.2M
Chicago tech companies raised a total of $23.2 million in May. The top two companies, ItemMaster and Fixer, raised around $4M each. Along with these fundings, Chicago delivery meal kit startup Home Chef was acquired for $200 million by big time retail store Kroger. Read more about the fundings and the big acquisition here. [Built In Chicago]
