Mayor Emanuel Opens 1871 Expansion and Announces More Than 700 New Tech Jobs Created in Chicago

Tech Companies Join Together to Celebrate Expansion of Chicago’s Technology Startup Hub, 1871

Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that 16 Chicago tech companies have recently added more than 700 jobs in the city. The commitment comes as the Mayor helped open the newly-completed expansion space at 1871, the city’s first-of-its-kind digital startup hub.

“Today both 1871 and Chicago’s tech scene are growing so I want to thank these companies for committing to adding jobs and supporting the incubator where some of them started out,” Mayor Emanuel said. “These tech companies are establishing the next generation of Chicago’s economy – an economy that is thriving due to the city’s central location, access to transportation, unmatched talent and business friendly environment.”

Tech companies adding jobs in Chicago include:

• blitsy – e-commerce company and community changing the way creative people worldwide buy their arts and crafts supplies; 30 jobs
• BuiltWorlds – multimedia company offers news, analysis, and events that promote innovation and connections within the built environment; 20 jobs
• Civis Analytics – builds a cloud-based technology platform that empowers organizations to run analytics faster, smarter and more accurately with data science; 75 jobs
• Closerlook, Inc. – full-service digital marketing agency that helps pharmaceutical marketers build better relationships with their customers; 50 jobs
• DevBridge Group – technology consultancy and strategic partner to industry leaders in manufacturing, financial services and technology; 20 jobs
• DialogTech – as the combination of Ifbyphone and Mongoose Metrics, is the market leader in call analytics and optimization, providing data-driven marketers with the only end-to-end call attribution and conversion platform; 25 jobs
• HighGround – HR cloud platform designed for employees and to help companies transform the way they develop and engage their workforces; 25 jobs
• ITsavvy – information technology products and solutions company with a national reputation for strong client relationships; 30 jobs
• kCura – develops e-discovery software Relativity for managing large volumes of evidence during litigation of investigations; 100 jobs
• Luxury Garage Sale – omni-commerce luxury consignment brand that sells new and gently used designer clothing and accessories; 40 jobs
• Mattersight – helps brands have better conversations with their customers through a stack of patented, personality-based SaaS applications that analyze the language exchanged during sales and service interactions; 35 jobs
• Reverb – online marketplace for musicians to buy and sell the gear they use to create the music they love; 50 jobs
• ReviewTrackers – software company that actively monitors reviews as they get posted, in one easy-to-use dashboard; 60 jobs
• SpotHero – on-demand parking marketplace that enables drivers to reserve parking deals with convenient garages, lots and valets; 25 jobs
• Trustwave – cloud and managed security services company that helps businesses fight cybercrime, protect data and reduce security risk; 150 jobs
• Yello – builds transformative technology for companies to hire the right candidate at the right time; 40 jobs

“Chicago is fortunate to have such an engaged tech community, that works together to advance the city and its businesses,” said World Business Chicago President & CEO Jeff Malehorn. “Our efforts to attract talent, increase access to capital and facilitate connections to cultivate growth would not be possible without this supportive and nurturing community.”

Chicago’s tech ecosystem continues to thrive with large companies from Google and Motorola Solutions, to small and medium sized businesses investing in the city. According to Built In Chicago, 143 companies raised more than 1.7 billion, making it the best year ever for funding. There were 39 exits accounting for $8.2 billion.

1871’s expansion marks the latest phase of the organization’s remarkable growth, which has seen it develop from a 50,000 square foot experiment launched in 2012 to a thriving two-floor technology center and ecosystem of more than 115,000 square feet on the 12th and 13th floors of The Merchandise Mart.

The expansion allows 1871 to house larger companies that have outgrown their current space but want to continue to grow within the 1871 environment, as well as venture capital firms seeking to engage the Chicago market, educational programs, and community partners.