Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#1

Post by mrerrormessage » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 1:59 PM UTC

I live in Chicago and thought it would be interesting to get some perspective on startups in the area. What is your company? When did you start? Where in the Chicago area are you located?

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#2

Post by pitdesi » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 2:13 PM UTC

http://feefighters.com We're in the West Loop, at http://sandboxindustries.com/. Been around for a couple of years. Raised a note a year ago and a seed round a couple of months ago. Things are going great.

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#3

Post by pitdesi » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 2:16 PM UTC

Also - check out this list: http://www.quora.com/What-tech-startups-are-there-in-Chicago

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#4

Post by baberuth » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 2:32 PM UTC

Why is there no General Assembly/Hacker Dojo in Chicago? Is there a demand for it at all?

The culture in Chicago seems totally different, would there even be a demand for that sort of thing?

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#5

Post by esausti » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:02 PM UTC

http://giveforward.com We're in the Loop now but moving to Wicker Park next month. We launched in 2008. Raised a round in 2011. Things are bueno.

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#6

Post by kuthydan » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:08 PM UTC

http://www.pvpower.com. PVPower's flagship product, SolarBear is a marketplace that brings together the products, process, customers and capital needed for widespread adoption of residential solar power.

Founded in 2009, raised a seed round in 2009, raising an A round right now, closing in May.

CEO - Dan Kuthy COO - Nick Yecke

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#7

Post by tptacek » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:08 PM UTC

Matasano. 2005. South loop.

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#8

Post by timjahn » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:11 PM UTC

Launched http://www.BeyondThePedway.com 2 years ago to cover the creative companies in Chicago, and later pivoted to focus on creative entrepreneurs here in Chicago as well as all over.

Launching a community for parent entrepreneurs called http://www.NaptimeEntrepreneurs.com at the beginning of May.

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#9

Post by timjahn » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:14 PM UTC

baberuth wrote: post #4

Why is there no General Assembly/Hacker Dojo in Chicago? Is there a demand for it at all? The culture in Chicago seems totally different, would there even be a demand for that sort of thing?

I think there is.

Re: Ask HN: Chicago-Area Startups

#10

Post by timjahn » Fri, Apr 08, 2011, 3:14 PM UTC

esausti wrote: post #5

http://giveforward.com We're in the Loop now but moving to Wicker Park next month. We launched in 2008. Raised a round in 2011. Things are bueno.

Woot! Love Wicker Park. And GiveForward. :)