Watch SGA Central Region leaders Nia Mathis, Steven Shaw, and Tupac Hunter chat with Chicago baker and entrepreneur Johnathon Bush, Founder of Not Just Cookies. The group discussed their personal connections to Juneteenth, how to empower small businesses, and Verizon’s commitment to initiatives that champion economic freedom.
Chicago
Built in Chicago: Cybersecurity Startup Network Perception Raises $13M Series A
On Tuesday, Network Perception announced that it raised a $13 million Series A funding round. The round was led by The Westly Group, a VC firm that invested in Tesla back in 2008 as well as other early-stage startups. According to Network Perception, the company has raised $15.73 million in venture funding to date.
Chicago Inno: Mark Cuban-backed Paladin raises $8M to help lawyers increase pro bono work
Paladin said Tuesday it raised $8 million in a Series A round led by Atlanta-based World Within. Other investors include Mark Cuban, Hyde Park Venture Partners, the American Family Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, Cleveland Avenue’s CAST US fund and others. Paladin has now raised more than $12 million since it launched in 2015.
Built in Chicago: These 5 Chicago Tech Companies Raised April’s Largest Funding Rounds
The month of April saw several funding rounds and announcements coming from Chicago tech companies. Five startups raised a combined $229 million in capital — slightly up from the $223 million raised in March. See where the investments came from, and what these companies have in store.
Chicago Inno: Cameo lays off 25% of workforce
The Chicago celebrity shoutout app laid off more than 80 employees, the report said. Cameo had around 350 total employees.
Chicago Inno: Postmark acquired by Chicago’s ActiveCampaign with $3B valuation
Philadelphia email marketing firm Postmark has been acquired by ActiveCampaign, a similar company headquartered in Chicago with a valuation topping $3 billion.
Chicago Inno: Chicago leads the country in percentage of seed funding for Black, Latino founders
Chicago nearly tripled its investment in Black and Latino startup founders since 2019, according to a report, as efforts to diversify the city’s startup scene show early results.
Built in Chicago: BriteCo Gained $9M, Clockwork Raised $2M, and More Chicago Tech News
From jewelry to restaurant equipment parts, Chicago startups are touching a wide variety of industries — and they are raising funds to continue innovating. Find out what some of these Chicago tech companies are up to with the Built In Chicago weekly refresh.
Chicago Inno: Chicago coffee startup gets backing from Capitalize VC
Capitalize VC, a new fund that launched last year by Tessa Flippin, announced it has backed Kribi Coffee, a coffee company based in Forest Park.
Chicago Inno: Forget Zoom — these techies are bringing back in-person Chicago startup events
ChiTechIRL, a new startup event and networking group, is aiming to bring the Chicago tech community together for a series of in-person events designed to connect the entire ecosystem — from founders and investors to early-career employees and more.
