Chicago startups Cameo and Avail took home hardware Thursday night at 1871's annual Momentum Awards.
Hosted by Chicago startup hub 1871 and The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the Momentum Awards recognizes outstanding entrepreneurship and innovation in Chicago through two main award categories: the Momentum Rising Star Award (given to an early-stage company that has potential to grow into an industry leader) and the Momentum Award (which honors a company that's seen significant growth, funding, and has made a "substantial impact on Chicago’s tech and startup community").
Cameo was the recipient of the Momentum Award. Founded in 2017, Cameo has quickly become one of Chicago's most recognizable startups for its app that lets you buy video shoutout messages from celebrities. It raised $50 million earlier this summer in a round led by Kleiner Perkins, has been Time’s list of most “genius” companies, made LinkedIn’s list of the most sought-after U.S. startups to work for, and it was one of Chicago Inno’s 19 Startups to Watch in 2019.
Avail, a platform that helps independent landlords and tenants better manage rental properties, took home the Momentum Rising Star Award. Avail lets users advertise vacant units, run credit reports, sign leases and collect rent online. More than 500,000 landlords and tenants use the startup's platform.
And the Rising Star Award goes to...@HelloAvail! WOW! What an amazing achievement! Way to shine! #Momentum2019 ??? pic.twitter.com/C1VezJ7MeH
— 1871 Chicago (@1871Chicago) September 20, 2019
In 2018, the Momentum Awards---now in its 12th year---recognized logistics startup FourKites as the Momentum Rising Star Award winner, and music gear marketplace Reverb as the Momentum Award recipient. Reverb was acquired by Etsy for $275 million earlier this year.
Other award winners last night included BMO Harris Bank (Corporate Champion Award), Relativity CEO Mike Gamson (Entrepreneurial Champion Award), and Cleveland Avenue Founder and CEO Don Thompson (Chicagoness Award).
Correction: Article has been updated to reflect the correct number of landlords and tenants on Avail's platform.
