1871 announces IoT incubator, extension of resources beyond downtown
1871 is tacking on 18,000 square feet to make room for another incubator. The Chicago Connectory will focus specifically on Internet of Things startups and will be located on the fifth floor of the Merchandise Mart. At the time of the announcement this Tuesday, 1871 CEO Howard Tullman also presented the nonprofit’s plan to extend its reach beyond its downtown location through a digital initiative called 1871EDGE. [Chicago Tribune]
Howard Tullman to teach entrepreneurship for CPS
In other 1871 news, ninth graders at Washington Park’s Dyett High School for the Arts will soon get a chance to learn about entrepreneurship from someone who’s been in the trenches. Howard Tullman will be teaching an eight-week entrepreneurship class at the school as part of a pilot program devised by 1871, Chicago Public Schools and Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office. [Chicago Tribune]
PhenixP2P lands $3.5M Series A
Real-time video streaming startup PhenixP2P announced on Monday that it has closed a $3.5 million Series A round of funding. Phenix will use the funding to support the continued development of its streaming platform, which is built to distribute broadcast-quality video with a delay of less than half a second. Chief operating officer Tripp Welge said the company is currently running a number of pilot programs with media companies, movie studios and “significant U.S. sports leagues.” [Built In Chicago]
Foxtrot announces customer rewards program
On Tuesday, Foxtrot announced the launch of a new rewards program, offering unlimited free deliveries to customers who spend more than $200 in a quarter. The West Loop-based startup, which has put a tech-enabled spin on the artisanal corner store, will also hold special promotions and provide complimentary coffee to regulars at its West Loop location. [Press release]
The tech industry is directly responsible for $43 billion of Illinois’ economy
That was the headline takeaway in CompTIA’s recent “10 on Tech” report. The report also found that more than 531,000 Illinois residents work in technology, that there were more than 24,000 tech companies in Illinois at the end of 2016 and that 1,100 new tech companies were founded in 2015 — the most recent year from which figures were available. [Press release]
Georama brings virtual tours to the classroom
Chicago virtual travel tech company Georama is partnering with TxDLA to bring the startup’s virtual tours into classrooms. Based in Texas, TxDLA promotes distance learning initiatives at schools and other learning institutions. As part of the partnership, Georama has launched a new platform for virtual field trips, covering subjects like STEM, history, art, music and language.[Press release]
WeWork opens sixth Chicago location
On Tuesday, WeWork announced the opening of a new coworking space at 100 South State Street. Located in the top floors of the former Academy of Fine Arts, the coworking space clocks in at approximately 61,110 square feet and will have room for just under 900 members. This is the sixth location the New York-based coworking company has opened in Chicago since 2015. [Press release]
Lemonade launches insurance app in Chicago
Lemonade, a New York-based company that lets customers buy insurance directly through an app, is launching its service in Chicago. Structured as a Certified B corporation, Lemonade takes a flat fee out of each customer’s insurance premiums and donates any additional profits to a charitable cause of the customer’s choosing. [Press release]
Big week in hires...
On Wednesday, Outcome Health announced that it has brought on Facebook veteran Blake Chandlee as its executive vice president of industry solutions and emerging business. Chandlee will focus on Outcome Health’s partnerships across multiple verticals in the healthcare industry. [Press release]
Also on Wednesday, ReviewTrackers announced that it has hired Erik Skurka as its new VP of product. Formerly VP of product at PowerReviews, Skurka will focus on shaping ReviewTrackers’ product roadmap as the company continues to scale. [Press release]
Tempus, Eric Lefkofsky's new cancer care startup, has hired Erik Phelps as executive vice president and general counsel. Phelps arrives by way of Epic, a Wisconsin-based provider of electronic health records, where he focused on software licensing and other tech-related work. [Press release]
Uptake has brought on former Starcom Mediavest CEO Laura Desmond as an advisor. Desmond, who left Publicis late last year, will advise Uptake on marketing, communications and brand strategy. [Crain's]
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