TechStars Chicago

<p>TechStars is the #1 startup accelerator in the world. &nbsp;We’re very selective – Although thousands of companies apply each year, we only invest our money and time in about ten companies per program location. We have selection rates lower than the Ivy League, so you have to be among the best of the best to earn investment from TechStars.</p><p>We offer seven TechStars programs in&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techstars.com/the-program/locations/">top startup locations</a>&nbsp;(Boston, Boulder, Chicago, New York City, Seattle, London, and Cloud in San Antonio), on a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techstars.com/the-program/schedule/">regular schedule</a>. &nbsp;We invest $118K in each company we fund through $18K in seed funding and an optional $100K convertible debt note. TechStars itself is backed by over 75 different venture capital firms and angel investors who are vested in their success. We also provide three months of intensive&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techstars.com/the-program/mentors/">top-notch mentorship</a>, incredible&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techstars.com/the-program/perks/">perks</a>, and the chance to pitch to angel investors and venture capitalists at the end of the program. Our companies average over $1.4M in outside venture capital raised after leaving TechStars. Look for yourself – see the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techstars.com/companies/stats/">full details and get statistical results</a>.</p>

Datelivery

<p class="mti_font_element">Datelivery is a monthly subscription box focused on providing unique and creative date night experiences for couples to enjoy in the comfort of their home. Each month we plan, package and ship out a different themed date night along with complementary items to our subscribers.</p><p class="mti_font_element">Our philosophy is, date nights are important in relationships to aid in constant connection and communication and should be done regularly and kept fresh. However, you don't have to leave your home or spend a lot of money, to have novelty date nights on a regular basis with your mate. You can enjoy at home date nights that are not your typical dinner and a movie, but are fresh, fun, exciting, competitive, romantic and more importantly delivered monthly so that you are reminded to never stop dating. Our job is to plan your date night and your job is to enjoy your date night!</p><p class="mti_font_element">We are different from other subscription box service because we seek not to deliver just products, but an experience to our customers.</p><p class="mti_font_element">We will be launching very soon, in the meantime feel free to connect with us via social media <a class="mti_font_element" href="http://www.facebook.com/datelivery" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.facebook.com/datelivery">http://www.facebook.com/datelivery</a> and <a class="mti_font_element" href="http://www.twitter.com/datelivery" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.twitter.com/datelivery">http://www.twitter.com/datelivery</a>. Also, you can pre-sign up to be notified when we launch <a class="mti_font_element" href="http://www.datelivery.com" rel="nofollow" title="http://www.datelivery.com">http://www.datelivery.com</a></p>

CallSnap

<p>CallSnap lets you respond to an incoming phone call with a photo. Just SLIDE, SNAP, &amp; SHARE your situation. CallSnap is fun and easy to use!</p><p>Downloadable on Google Play, the CallSnap app adds an icon to your incoming call screen that lets you respond to an incoming call with a photo. Snap your photo and send it off to your caller to show them what you're doing when you can't answer. CallSnap is fun and easy to use!</p><p><em>CallSnap was created by&nbsp;TIP Solutions (<a href="http://www.tipsolutions.com/">www.tipsolutions.com</a>), a Chicago-based software company building a patented set of software and firmware technologies around incoming call management.</em></p>

emazeMe

<p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">emazeMe is the first online site &amp; app that blends word of mouth referrals from friends &amp; neighbors with an online recommendation engine to create a trusted curated social business directory.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;">You can sign up for free here:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><a href="http://www.emazeme.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.359999656677246px;" target="_blank">www.emazeme.com</a></p>

Engineerus

<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">We’re talented Software Architects and Engineers. Able to work at all levels: from system level architecture to hands-on coding. Experienced with building large systems with 24/7 availability as well as with websites and iOS/Android apps.<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Out-the-box solutions is what we do for living. We are always ready with ideas and solutions that benefit the product and reduce cost of development.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(35, 31, 32); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;">We have outstanding delivery tracking records, on time, according to industry standards.<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">We are a full-service software development firm. We offer a complete package of services helping you build a final product.</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Professional UX designers, talented graphic artists, genius software architects and developers, scrupulous testers are working as one team both offshore and in US helping you get outstanding software.</span></p>

VineSprout

<p><a href="http://vinesprout.com/">VineSprout</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;a Chicago public relations firm that&nbsp;specializes in growing tech startups.&nbsp;</p><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; ">We help garner attention of users, customers and investors by keeping our clients in the news on a consistent basis. We offer unique media relation strategies for each of our clients and work to maximize placement across all media. </span></p><p>Our&nbsp;<a href="http://vinesprout.com/vsclients/" style="color: rgb(188, 49, 46) !important; ">client roster</a>&nbsp;is diverse.&nbsp;We've been privileged to work with&nbsp;many of Chicago's most successful startups.&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; ">We choose to work with entrepreneurs that we believe in and with startups that have done something better than everyone else. VineSprout represents top tech startups including graduates of Y Combinator, Techstars and Incubate Miami. </span></p><p>We have strong relationships with journalists and know how to approach them with unique, compelling, and newsworthy angles.&nbsp;We invest time and effort getting to know reporters, what beats they cover, and understanding what kind of story ideas appeal to them and their individual audiences. As a result, we have built trust, credibility and a positive reputation with the media and are go-to sources for many journalists.&nbsp;</p><div>We have secured media placements in local and national outlets including the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, Crain's Chicago Business, CNNMoney.com, Washington Post, Fast Company, Money Magazine, Inc. Magazine, Midwest Living, Huffington Post, Ebony Magazine, Tech Cocktail, TechCrunch, FOX Business Channel, WGN, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and many more.</div><p><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; ">With VineSprout, you can expect results, personalized attention, and solid dependability. Ask around. We deliver.</span><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; "><br style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; "><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px; "><strong>Specialties: </strong>Public Relations • Media Relations • Publicity • Startup Launches • New Product Launches • VC Funding Announcements • App Releases • Startup Consulting • Mobile Technology • Digital &amp; Social Media Strategy • Branding • Strategic Vision</span></p><p>For more information please visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.vinesprout.com/">vinesprout.com</a>&nbsp;or email&nbsp;Nicole Duhoski at [email protected]. &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

INeedSources.com

<p>We are here for journalists on those days they just cannot find that last source. Those weeks where no one will call them back. Those insane deadlines, picky bosses, and unrealistic expectations. We are also here for the business owners and marketers that need as much exposure as possible. Pitch after pitch they are not getting in traction and they need that publicity. Yeah, we are here for those people.</p><p><a href="http://ineedsources.com">INeedSources.com</a> is a platform that connects journalists that need sources to sources that need journalists.&nbsp; They need not worry about being 'scammed' by fake profiles; we screen every member. No more having to get to a place where they can use WiFi; we are mobile friendly. Journalists simply pitch their needs and sources with the expertise they need respond.&nbsp; For peopled worried about being bombarded with emails there is no need to fret!&nbsp; Their contact information is kept private until they give it to the people they want to have it!</p>

Little Independent

<p>Little Independent closed in 2014. It launched in June, 2011 as a small business resource and aggregate online marketplace for items from independent retail stores. At its peak, the website featured 100 small shops in 20 states and was mentioned in the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune and Southwest Airline's Spirit Magazine. The startup didn't grow quickly enough to effectively deliver on its value proposition for storeowners or shoppers and I decided it was time to close and focus on other projects. It was a wonderful experience and I am very grateful to all the people in the tech world and local and independent business advocacy community that were so supportive. &nbsp;</p>

RoomVa

<p>RoomVa is an online booking system for small and medium sized hotels in Latin America that focus on local residents. RoomVa provides prime internet presence and booking capabilities for hotels that serve couples in main cities of Latin America.</p>

Float Mobile Learning

<h4 style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.5px; color: rgb(56, 56, 56); text-transform: none;">Float Mobile Learning delivers improved employee performance via consulting services and the development of custom mobile learning solutions.</h4><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.5px; color: rgb(129, 129, 129);">Float Mobile Learning officially formed in 2010, but possesses more than three decades of communications and eLearning expertise.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.5px; color: rgb(129, 129, 129);">Float was created by its parent company,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ionagroup.com/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; color: rgb(57, 120, 189); text-decoration: none; outline: 0px;">The Iona Group</a>. Started in 1984, The Iona Group helps clients communicate to their customers and their employees through eLearning and interactive experiences.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18.5px; color: rgb(129, 129, 129);">Many of Iona’s clients asked for help in understanding the power of mobile technology. They needed help delivering highly effective learning in a new and profound manner on the increasingly omnipresent mobile devices.&nbsp;After seeing the demand continually increase, Iona stakeholders formed Float Mobile Learning with an exclusive focus on mobile learning and how to leverage the capabilities and unique affordances of mobile.</p>

Smart Chicago Collaborative

<p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.625px;">The Smart Chicago Collaborative is a civic organization devoted to using technology to make lives better in Chicago. We&nbsp;were&nbsp;formed to address the challenge of the lack of broadband Internet access for all Chicagoans. More broadly, we work to apply the transformative power of technology to solve problems for the people of Chicago.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.625px;">We are a startup that was founded in part by our municipal government and nurtured by some of its most venerable institutions.&nbsp;Our founding partners are the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en.html" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 70, 127); text-decoration: none;">City of Chicago</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.macfound.org/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 70, 127); text-decoration: none;">John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="http://cct.org/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 70, 127); text-decoration: none;">The Chicago Community Trust</a>.&nbsp;As a funding collaborative, we&nbsp;help bring together&nbsp;municipal, philanthropic, and corporate investments in civic innovation.</p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 1em; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24.625px;">We have a host of current&nbsp;<a href="http://www.smartchicagocollaborative.org/projects/" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 70, 127); text-decoration: none;">projects</a>&nbsp;and partnerships, and we are actively seeking to connect ideas and resources in all areas of philanthropy in Chicago.</p>

VivaKi

Part of Publicis Groupe (Euronext Paris Exchange: FR0000130577; CAC 40 index), the world’s third largest communications group, VivaKi was established in 2008 to propel the digital transformation and expertise of the Groupe and its agencies. Today we are the global leader in digital advertising solutions, working with the world’s leading organizations to help them navigate the evolving and chaotic media landscape. Across the globe, VivaKi employs more than 400 engineers, technology experts, product designers, analysts and digital marketing professionals. Visit us online at www.vivaki.com or follow us on Twitter: @VivaKi

OpenAirplane

We're make renting an airplane as easy as renting a car. OpenAirplane makes it easy to find, book, fly, and pay for aircraft rental online or with a mobile device.

GeneXus USA

<p>[ibimage==31058==Large==http://genexususa.com==blank==ibimage_align-center]</p><p class="heading-title" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-53568936-b532-6c4d-0d3a-f49c6e7284c7"><a href="http://www.genexususa.com" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GeneXus USA</span></a><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> (GXUSA) is a web and mobile application development powerhouse in Chicago, IL. &nbsp;</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p class="heading-subtitle" dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-size: 13px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We build enterprise software and applications that harness big data and power business intelligence from any device.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We apply smart technology to business challenges, crafting custom software solutions for </span><a href="http://www.genexususa.com/apps/apple" style="text-decoration:none;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fortune 500 corporations</span></a><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, governments and nonprofit organizations, around the world. Our developers and IT consultants, led by owner and CTO, Veronica Buitron, engineer enterprise applications that seamlessly integrate data feeds and streamline informed collaboration, in real-time. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-53568936-b532-6c4d-0d3a-f49c6e7284c7"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to a portfolio of cutting-edge tools for iOS, Android, Windows 8 and BlackBerry, GeneXus USA is the sole US distributor of the </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GeneXus </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">software development suite. &nbsp;A product of </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ARTech Consultores</span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">GeneXus </span><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">is a rapid development tool serving over 4 million worldwide users.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">&nbsp;</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.15;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-53568936-b532-6c4d-0d3a-f49c6e7284c7"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Under the leadership of CEO, Dane Drotts, GeneXus USA proudly supports a multitude of charitable organizations and startup incubators throughout the Greater Chicago Metro Area. </span></span></p><div>&nbsp;</div>

Hyde Park Angels

<p><strong>Hyde Park Angels</strong>&nbsp;is&nbsp;is the largest and most active angel group in the Midwest. With a membership of over 100 successful entrepreneurs, executives, and venture capitalists, the organization prides itself on providing critical strategic expertise to entrepreneurs and the entrepreneurial community. By leveraging the membe

CurbNinja

<div id="stacks_in_29_page6"><div id="stacks_in_29_page6">CurbNinja is here to help motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts find and share the safest places to park in busy urban centers. Plagued by parking tickets, knockdowns and never-ending searching, the pain of motorbike parking lead the CurbNinja team to develop a user-friendly app that not only makes finding parking easier, but also gives riders the ability to share spots they find with the community.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>With CurbNinja, motorbikers are able to search for the hidden gems of street parking by address or by their current location on their mobile device. Spots are easy to comprehend and include photos to ensure there is no mistake on where to park. All of our spots have been vetted by riders within the CurbNinja community; &nbsp;this means the spot you find on the app was tagged by another rider, just like you.</div><p>CurbNinja is ideal for:</p><div>•&nbsp;Finding free &amp; paid street parking spaces in urban centers</div><div>• Parking safely in spots vetted by fellow riders</div><div>•&nbsp;Sharing other great parking spots with the community</div><div>•&nbsp;Avoiding costly parking tickets &amp; towing bills</div><div>•&nbsp;Saving time when looking for motorbike parking</div></div><p>&nbsp;</p>

TruMarx Data Partners (Comet)

<p>TruMarx is the operator of a pioneering over-the-counter (OTC) transactional platform. Their technology platform, COMET</p>

Business Traveler Social

Business Traveler Social (BTSocial) is a social networking and information resource for business travelers.&nbsp;BTSocial&nbsp;is a tool for business travelers to connect with one another online at&nbsp;app.btsocial.com&nbsp;and in-person through social events.&nbsp;BTSocial&nbsp;is the first business-travel-centric service featuring an interactive social application, comprehensive news platform, and social networking events.BTSocial’s&nbsp;mission is to help business travelers achieve a superior travel experience, while supplying them with a social outlet to interact with people in their unique world.&nbsp;BTSocial&nbsp;is truly the Business Traveler’s Social Meeting Place™.Application<br>The&nbsp;BTSocial&nbsp;Travel App, now available on the web and mobile web is accessible at app.btsocial.com. The app helps business travelers maximize their downtime with connecting with colleagues and friends during their trips.The app is currently in beta release and will be undergoing many updates to keep travelers engaged. The app will also soon be available for download on the Android, Blackberry and Apple platforms.News &amp; Content<br>Content has been formatted to feature information for travelers, created by travelers. Writers are road warriors covering various topics while encouraging opinion sharing with the business travel community.Events<br>Known as Socials, these events are the in-person networking attribute of&nbsp;BTSocial. Socials give travelers a face-to-face social experience to help expand their business contacts, enjoy their destinations and make new friends.

Loftis Consulting

Loftis Consulting provides outsourced CFO services for companies of all sizes including start-ups. In addition, Loftis Consulting provides affordable customized financial projection options for expanding or capital seeking companies as well as individualized financial coaching so that entrepreneurs can understand the basics of finance.

Laundrymate

<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Laundrymate is an on-demand laundry and dry cleaning pickup and delivery service powered by phone app.</p><p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Laundrymate strives to take the pain out of doing laundry and dry-cleaning. Laundrymate’s goal is to make getting clothes clean easier than hailing an Uber. Born in the Windy City of Chicago, Laundrymate reflects the midwest principals of high quality and hard work.</p>