It’s that time of year again--time for the Moxie Awards, presented by Built in Chicago. Each year the Moxie Awards recognize and celebrate Chicago’s diverse tech ecosystem.
This year’s Moxie Awards ceremony is slated for June 7th and award nominees feature over fifty of Chicago’s most innovative tech companies. Award categories include Best New Startup, Startup of the Year, CEO of the Year, and more.
We decided to delve into the data, taking a look at how the 2017 Moxie Nominees stack up in terms of industry, size, funding, and more.
Read on for an industry map and timeline of the Moxie Nominees.
This year's Moxie Nominees represent a diverse array of Chicago tech industries.
The "other" category makes up the largest chunk of nominees. This includes smaller sectors like events, transportation, education, food, and more. Unsurprisingly, software and technology make up the next largest chunk of nominees. Also notable is the large number of eCommerce-based companies that are nominated this year. Overall, this year's pool of Moxie Nominees represents the best of Chicago tech from most major industries.
This year's Moxies also represent a good mixture of well-established companies and brand-new tech startups.
Looking at the founding year distribution, you can see a majority of the nominees were founded in the years 2012 and 2013. However, nominees founded pre-2005 also have solid representation in the nominee pool. Founding years with the least presence would include 2017 and 2016, a.k.a. brand-new startups.
Read on for in-depth bios on every Moxie Nominee.
Fintech, Founded in 2012
Avant aims to change the way consumers borrow with high-quality financial products and a customized loan process. Big data, machine learning, and advanced algorithms allow Avant to provide a highly-personalized approach to personal loan borrowing. Avant has been one of Chicago’s token startups since its founding in 2012. Now known as “Chicago’s unicorn,” Avant is currently valued at well over a billion dollars. Chicago-based firms invested in Avant include Hyde Park Venture Partners (HPVP) and Origin Ventures, who both joined Avant in its Series E round. Avant won the Best Consumer Web Moxie Award in 2016.
Avant is nominated for: Best Consumer Web
Education, Founded in 2015
BallotReady is a digital nonpartisan voter guide for local elections. Founded by two University of Chicago graduates, BallotReady aims to provide voters with the information they need to make an informed decision on every candidate. They also provide information on voting dates, time, and locations, so voters never miss an election. BallotRready has raised roughly half a million in funding, mostly through grants and a seed round.
BallotReady is nominated for: Best Social Impact Startup
Software, Founded 2015
Catalytic produces “Pushbot,” a SaaS platform that optimizes and automates recurring business processes. One of Catalytic’s most notable assets is its team of accomplished developers. Catalytic was noted as one of the nine companies establishing Chicago as a leader in artificial intelligence. Catalytic has attracted the attention of many Chicago-based investors, including Pritzker Group, HPVP, Hyde Park Angels (HPA), and Chicago Ventures. Currently Catalytic has raised over $11M in funding .
Catalytic is nominated for: Best New Startup
Technology, Founded 2015
CityBase aims to make government services more accessible and efficient for citizens. Their cloud platform integrates directly with government agency databases to centralize interactions between multiple agencies. Citybase has raised Series A and B rounds totaling $6M.
CityBase is nominated for: Most Disruptive Startup
Big Data, Founded 2013
Civis Analytics aims to simplify data science with its end-to-end analytics platform. Also noted as one of the nine companies establishing Chicago as a leader in AI, Civis Analytics raised $22M in its series A round.
Civis Analytics is nominated for: Most Disruptive Startup
Agency, Founded in 2006
Clique focuses on experience design and technology. Clique has been named a “Best and Brightest Place to Work”.
Clique Studios is nominated for: Digital Agency of the Year
eCommerce, Founded in 2009
CloudCraze is a SaaS-based, eCommerce product platform built for Salesforce users. CloudCraze makes it easier and faster to sell online. And with customers like Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, and Ecolab, CloudCraze is major player in the eCommerce space. CloudCraze is a Platinum Salesforce ISV Partner and has raised over $30M in funding.
CloudCraze is nominated for: Best B2B Company
Education, Founded 2017
Codeverse is a coding school and educational platform for children. Their goal is to teach one billion kids to code.
Codeverse is nominated for: Best New Startup & Best Social Impact Startup
Agency, Founded in 2011
echogravity specializes in inbound marketing for IT companies, Staffing Agencies, and Software Companies. With expertise in content marketing, email marketing, social media, SEO, lead generation, website design and more, echogravity transforms the way companies approach inbound.
Echogravity is nominated for: Digital Agency of the Year
FinTech, Founded in 2004
Enova is a data-driven online financial services provider. Since its founding in 2004, Enova has provided personal loans to over four million people. Nominated for Best Company Culture, Enova goes above and beyond for its employees. Unique employee perks include summer hours, discounted spa services, on-site dry cleaning, intramural sports, and pet insurance.
Enova is nominated for: Best Consumer Web & Best Company Culture
Technology, Founded in 2014
Esquify is a technology company which builds software for attorneys and other legal professionals. The machine-learning based technology aims to make document review more efficient and increase the overall productivity of lawyers. Esquify was noted as one of the eight Chicago tech companies making work easier for lawyers.
Esquify is nominated for: Best B2B Startup
Events, Founded in 2004
Eved is an event commerce company focused on automating the procurement process for event planners. Investors include chicago-area Pritzker Group, who lead Eved’s series B round. Eved’s Founder and CEO, Talia Mashiach, is up for the Woman in Tech award. Talia was featured as one of Chicago’s female tech founders who have raised more than $1M.
Eved is nominated for: Woman in Tech
AdTech, Founded in 2001
Exact data is a technology-focused digital marketing company. Exact Data’s President, Zora Senat, is up for the Woman in Tech award. Having worked her way up in the company, Zora has a diverse background in marketing, product design, and CRM technology.
Exact Data is nominated for: Woman in Tech
Software, Founded in 2011
Flexera produces software for application developers and enterprise users. Flexera is well-known for its strong, positive company culture. They pride themselves on their values including radical candor, passion, professionalism, celebrating success, and giving back. Their CEO, Jim Ryan, is nominated for CEO of the year.
Flexera is nominated for: Best Company Culture & CEO of the Year
Technology, Founded in 2013
FourKites aims to revolutionize the logistics industry by providing real-time tracking and supply chain visibility. Since its founding in 2016 it's raised over $13M in investor capital including investments from HPVP and HPA.
FourKites is nominated for: Startup of The Year
Food, Founded 2004
Grubhub, which had its IPO in 2014, is the nation’s #1 online food ordering company. Grubhub has offices in Chicago, New York and London and is known for its great employee perks and vibrant company culture.
Grubhub is nominated for: Best Office Space
Food, Founded in 2013
Home Chef aims to make cooking a homemade meal as easy as possible. They offer meal delivery service, providing customers will all the ingredients and instructions they need to prepare chef-quality meals from the comfort of their homes. It was named one of the 22 Chicago companies changing the food industry. Since its founding in 2013 it has exploded in popularity, now providing meal delivery service in over 90% of the USA.
Home Chef is nominated for: Startup of The Year
eCommerce, Founded 1993
HS2 Solutions is a full service digital agency with a technology-first approach. Their CEO, Philip Hollyer, is nominated for CEO of the Year. Philip has gone above and beyond to build a first-class company culture, demonstrated by extremely high employee retention rates. Just this past March HS2 was noted as one of six Chicago tech companies taking employee perks seriously.
HS2 Solutions is nominated for: CEO of the Year
Technology, Founded in 2016
Jiobit is the world's smallest and longest lasting tracking solution. Jiobit helps parents keep track of their kids, giving them peace of mind. Jiobit was noted as one of the eight Chicago companies taking wearables to the next level. Jiobit participated in Techstars last summer and raised a $3M seed round after completing the program.
Jiobit is nominated for: Best New Startup
Technology, Founded in 2001
kCura produces Relativity, software for managing and analyzing data during legal proceedings. kCura’s customer base includes the U.S. Department of Justice and more than 190 of the top 200 law firms in the United States. kCura won the Moxie Award for Best Company Culture in 2016.
kCura is nominated for: Best B2B Company
Big Data, Founded in 2011
KnowledgeHound creates software for market researches that simplifies how companies organize and access market insights. To-date KnowledgeHound has raised just shy of $4M in funding. Kristi Zuhlke, KnowledgeHound’s co-founder and CEO, is up for the Woman in Tech award. She was noted as one of Chicago’s female founders who have raised more than $1M.
KnowledgeHound is nominated for: Woman in Tech
eCommerce, Founded in 2013
Machinio is a search engine for buying and selling new and used industrial equipment and machinery. Machinio has the largest database of machinery, and with monthly website visitors from 190 countries, Machinio is the #1 site for buying used machinery. To-date Machinio has raised $4M in funding.
Machinio is nominated for: Best B2B Startup
Real Estate, Founded in 2007
Neighborhoods.com is a real estate resource that helps people find the perfect home and ideal neighborhood. Unlike other real estate sites that focus on searching for houses, Neighborhoods.com provides the tools to help visitors discover and move to their perfect neighborhood. The site was noted as one of the eleven Chicago-based companies changing real estate tech.
Neighborhoods.com is nominated for: Best Consumer Web
Agency, Founded in 2012
One North is focused on creating compelling customer experiences. They specialise in brand planning, digital strategy, back-end development, and technology support.
One North Interactive is nominated for: Digital Agency of the Year
FinTech, Founded in 2013
OppLoans provides affordable personal loans for those looking to improve their credit. In 2016 OppLoans was one of the seven Chicago tech companies to make it on the list of 500 fastest-growing startups.
OppLoans is nominated for: Best Consumer Web Startup
Agency, Founded in 2010
Ora Interactive is an award-winning digital product studio with a focus on custom iOS, Android, and Web applications.
Ora Interactive is nominated for: Digital Agency of the Year
HealthTech, Founded in 2006
Outcome Health creates technology which helps patients and medical professionals make more informed decisions. Their technology includes decision platforms, digital anatomy boards, interactive tablets, and mobile connectivity. Outcome Health’s CEO and founder, Rishi Shah, won the 2016 Moxie Award for CEO of the Year. This year, Outcome Health’s President and co-founder, Shradha Agarwal, is up for the Women in Tech award. Shradha leads product innovation, scaling operations and talent development at Outcome Health.
Outcome Health is nominated for: Best B2B Company, Breakthrough Digital Company & Woman in Tech
Events, Founded in 2015
PartySlate aims to centralize and simplify the event planning process. The online digital platform will combine seamless event inspiration, local venues, and event professionals. PartySlate participated in Techstars in Summer of ‘16. To-date they’ve raised nearly $3M, including investments from HPVP and HPA.
PartySlate is nominated for: Best New Startup
Software, Founded in 2009
Payline is a platform for simplified payments in-app, in-store, and online. They aim to change the way business owners experience payments. Payline is well-known for their vibrant company culture, excellent customer service, and extensive charitable work.
Payline is nominated for: Best B2B Startup
PowerReviews
Enterprise Web, Founded in 2005
PowerReviews produces ratings and reviews and Q&A software aimed at helping businesses sell more. Their software has helped companies increase online sales by up to 17%. PowerReviews is well-known for their trendy office space and fun company culture. Fun activities include “Spirit Days,” when employees are encouraged to dress-up according to a theme. Past themes include Ugly Sweater Party, Luau, Highschool Throwback, and more. Some unique employee perks include unlimited snacks and drinks, catered lunches, open vacation policy, elliptical desks, and a philanthropy committee.
PowerReviews is nominated for: Best Office Space & Best Company Culture
HealthTech, Founded in 2012
Procured Health produces technology that helps hospitals make better decisions on medical devices by consolidating clinical evidence. The software helps physicians improve device utilization, develop new best practices, and increase the quality, safety, and financial metrics of their care. Procured Health was noted as one of the five Chicago tech companies helping rehabilitate healthcare.
Procured Health is nominated for: Most Disruptive Startup
Transportation, Founded in 2013
project44’s enterprise SaaS integration platform allows retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers to communicate data with the rest of their supply chain in real-time. Project44 is helping its customers execute an agile and scalable supply chain network that meets the needs of today’s on-demand consumer. Project44 has raised over $10M, including Chicago Ventures who participated in their A Round.
Project44 is nominated for: Best B2B Startup
Enterprise Web, Founded in 2013
Public Good’s unique technology platform aims to empower readers to take action on social media content that inspires them. Their innovative tech automatically identifies causes in articles and matches readers with local nonprofits working on those causes. Public Good was noted as one of six Chicago tech companies changing the world for the better. Public Good raised $1.6M in its seed round, lead by HPA.
Public Good is nominated for: Best Social Impact Startup
Technology, Founded in 2016
Former Google and Amazon executives teamed up to create “The Sales Intelligence Engine.” RepIQ’s sales intelligence technology helps salespeople find and target the right customers for their business. Smart prospecting, real-time sales visibility, personalized message progression, and data-driven insights give salespeople the tools they need to sell more, faster. RepIQ was named one of nine companies establishing Chicago as a leader in artificial intelligence.
RepIQ is nominated for: Best New Startup
eCommerce, Founded in 2012
Reverb is the world’s most popular online marketplace for buying and selling music gear. Since its founding in 2012, Reverb exploded in popularity. Millions of music lovers visit the site each month to sell, buy, or learn more about music gear. Reverb has continued to innovate, recently adding new payment features and a new advertising system within the platform. Reverb has raised $32M in funding and was noted as one of the seven Chicago startups every music lover should know. Reverb’s founder and CEO, David Kalt, has made it his personal mission to build the largest online community of music lovers. He’s nominated for the CEO of the Year Moxie Award.
Reverb is nominated for: Best Consumer Web Startup, Most Disruptive Startup & CEO of the Year
AdTech, Founded in 2012
ReviewTrackers sells customer feedback software that helps businesses measure and improve their customer experience. The software collects review data from over 80 different sites to surface customer insights that enable brands to consolidate customer feedback and make data-driven decisions about what their customers truly need or want. To-date they’ve raised roughly $6M.
ReviewTrackers is nominated for: Startup of The Year
Rise Interactive specializes in media, analytics, and customer experience. Rise manages enterprise-level analytics and campaigns across all channels of digital marketing. Rise won the Moxie Award for Digital Agency of the Year in 2016.
Rise Interactive is nominated for: Digital Agency of the Year
Technology, Founded in 2011
Shiftgig is a mobile labor marketplace connecting businesses in the foodservice, hospitality, retail, warehouse, and marketing industries with the workers they need. To-data Shiftgig has raised $56 million. Investors include chicago-area Pritzker Group and Chicago Ventures.
Shiftgig is nominated for: Breakthrough Digital Company
eCommerce, Founded in 2014
ShipBob aims to provide Amazon-level logistics to small businesses. Their web dashboard allows customers to integrate their e-commerce stores and place orders. ShipBob handles the pickups, packing, and shipping. ShipBob was named one of the six Chicago startups blazing new trails in logistics technology. ShipBob has raised $5M, including investments from HPVP and HPA in their A Round.
ShipBob is nominated for: Best B2B Startup
Automotive, Founded in 2011
Snapsheet is a free mobile app that lets users upload vehicle damage reports and receive repair quotes from local autobody shops. Users can then schedule appointments directly through the app with the shop of their choice. Snapsheet was named one of seven Chicago companies shaking up the car tech industry. Snapsheet has raised over $31M in funding, including Pritzker Group and OCA Ventures.
Snapsheet is nominated for: Breakthrough Digital Company
Transportation, Founded in 2011
SpotHero’s mission is to bring the parking industry into the future through technology. Drivers can use the SpotHero mobile app to reserve parking. Parking companies team up with SpotHero to optimize their businesses. SpotHero is also well-known for their luxe office space and vibrant company culture. SpotHero’s custom-built office in the heart of the Loop sports many perks like a “fun room,” great views, and a spacious open work area. SpotHero offers its team perks like weekly catered lunches, team events, flexible vacation time, snacks, and casual dress.
SpotHero is nominated for: Best Consumer Web & Best Company Culture
Enterprise Web, Founded in 1995
SpringCM provides enterprise-level content management software. The software manages contracts, documents, and other content, while also providing powerful workflow and security features. Since its founding SpringCM has raised over $110M in funding.
SpringCM is nominated for: Best B2B Company
Software, Founded in 2010
Sprout Social offers social media engagement, advocacy and analytics solutions. Since their founding in 2010 their software has exploded in popularity, demonstrated by their impressive portfolio of customers which includes GrubHub, Hyatt, Microsoft, Zendesk, and more. Sprout Social’s office includes an onsite cafe, plenty of open work areas, and stunning views of the Loop. Sprout Social fosters a team-centric company culture and offers unique benefits like wellness initiatives, onsite breakfast and lunch, a social responsibility program, and more. Justyn Howard, Sprout Social’s CEO, is nominated for CEO of the Year. Under Justyn’s leadership, Sprout Social has added more than 130 employees in the past year alone.
Sprout Social is nominated for: Best Office Space, Best Company Culture & CEO of the Year
AdTech, Founded in 2013
Strike Social develops artificial intelligence for social media advertising optimization. Since its founding Strike Social has expanded its operations to a global scale. Some of its customers include Disney, Honda, Xbox, and Wendy's. Strike Social was named one of the fourteen companies making Chicago a booming adtech hub. Strike Social won the 2016 Moxie Award for Best B2B Startup.
Strike Social is nominated for: Startup of The Year
Automotive, Founded in 2015
Swap Motors aims to simplify the process of selling a car. Their online platform allows for auction-style bidding on used cars. Sellers set their price and Swap Motors handles the rest.
Swap Motors is nominated for: Best Consumer Web Startup
eCommerce, Founded in 2012
Swap.com is the largest online thrift store in the country. Their mission is to provide customers with one-of-a-kind high-quality items while also helping them save money on their favorite brands. To-date Swap.com has raised $32M in funding.
Swap.com is nominated for: Best Consumer Web
HealthTech, Founded in 2015
Tempus is a technology company that has built an operating system to battle cancer. The revolutionary system is the world’s largest library of molecular and clinical data. Tempus helps physicians deliver personalized cancer care for patients using interactive analytics and machine learning. Tempus’ founder and CEO, Eric Lefkofsky, previously founded Uptake, Groupon, Lightbank, and MediaBank.
Tempus is nominated for: Startup of The Year & Most Disruptive Startup
eCommerce, Founded in 2012
The Catch Co. creates custom-curated monthly boxes for fishing enthusiasts. Their mission is to provide happier fishing through better products, service, content, and experiences.
The Catch Co. is nominated for: Best Consumer Web Startup
Education, Founded in 2012
ThinkCERCA’s personalized literacy platform aims to prepare every student for real-world success. Using the platform educators can teach critical thinking skills with argumentative writing exercises. ThinkCERCA is currently being used by teachers in all 50 states and over 100 countries. ThinkCERCA was nominated as one of thirteen Chicago edtech startups modernizing how we learn.
ThinkCERCA is nominated for: Best Social Impact Startup
Food, Founded in 2015
Tovala aims to automate delicious home-cooking. Their two major products are their “smart oven” and weekly meal service. Each week, customers pick three meals to have delivered straight to their door. Then, simply place them in the smart oven and Tovala does the rest. The “smart-oven” runs on smart technology which is programmed to scan Tovala meals and cook them perfectly every time. With Tovala, customers never have to choose between health and convenience. Tovala was named one of the 22 Chicago companies that are changing the food industry. To-date Tovala has raised $2.1M, including Origin Ventures.
Tovala is nominated for: Best Consumer Web Startup
FinTech, Founded in 2014
uBack is a free mobile app that makes it easier for companies, nonprofits, and donors to discover causes and donate anytime. uBack is the first mobile, data-driven social giving community. To-date uBack has raised a $2m seed round.
uBack is nominated for: Best Social Impact Startup
Big Data, Founded in 2014
Uptake is a predictive analytics SaaS platform that helps companies improve productivity, reliability and safety. Uptake’s work focuses on the Rail, Mining, Agriculture, Construction, Energy, Aerospace, and Retail industries. In 2016 Uptake won the Breakthrough Digital Company and Startup of the Year Moxie Awards.
Uptake is nominated for: Best Office Space
Software, Founded in 1996
VelocityEHS produces an easy-to-use environmental, health, and safety platform. VelocityEHS is up for this year’s Best Office Space Moxie Award. The VelocityEHS office includes a rooftop deck with views of the Chicago river. It also includes a game room with pool, pin ball, ping pong, Xbox, and more.
VelocityEHS is nominated for: Best Office Space
HealthTech, 1999
Veritas Health publishes high-quality physician-authored content to help those struggling with chronic pain. Veritas Health’s four websites have over 20 million page views per month. They were named one of the five Chicago tech companies helping rehabilitate healthcare. Veritas Health’s co-founded and CEO, Stephanie Burke, is up for the Woman in Tech Moxie.
Veritas Health is nominated for: Woman in Tech
eCommerce, Founded in 2001
Vivid Seats is an online ticket marketplace. Every day Vivid Seats sells over 15,000 tickets to in-demand events like sports, concerts, and theater events.
Vivid Seats is nominated for: Breakthrough Digital Company
Enterprise Web, Founded in 2008
Yello produces talent acquisition software used by Fortune 500 companies and high-growth businesses to attract and nurture top talent. To-date Yello has raised $15.2M in funding during three rounds. In 2016, Yello won the Moxie Award for Best B2B Company.
Yello is nominated for: Best B2B Company, Breakthrough Digital Company & CEO of the Year
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