Chicago tech company Uptake, which specializes in predictive analytics for industrial sectors, is adding an experienced tech founder to its executive team.
Kayne Grau was named Uptake’s president on Monday, a role in which he will be responsible for growing the company’s business globally. Uptake’s founder and CEO Brad Keywell will remain in his role and continue to lead the company.
Prior to Uptake, Grau was the co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based DRIVIN, a car appraisal and auction service. In 2017, DRIVIN was acquired by KAR Global for $43 million, at which point Grau joined KAR’s executive team. At KAR, Grau led the creation of the company's data analytics program.
“Kayne joins Uptake with proven expertise in leveraging data and analytics to deliver immediate value through easy-to-deploy and easy-to-use applications, skills critical as Uptake expands its leadership in the fast-evolving industrial intelligence arena,” Keywell said in a statement.
Uptake uses predictive analytics to help large companies know when their machines are going to break down before they fail. Uptake’s technology works in multiple industries, including oil and gas, rail, and wind energy.
At its height, Uptake employed about 800 people, but through a series of layoffs over the last couple years and attrition, the tech company said it now employs around 275 people.
