While some of the year's biggest headlines in Chicago's business community involved some big-name exits, the same cannot be said for the city's tech space.
In 2022, Chicago continued to grow and evolve as a global tech hub — and more startup founders around the country are starting to take notice.
This year's 10 most-read stories in Chicago Inno were dominated by fintech and included new office openings, startup launches, and some tech that has Chicago's largest institutions wanting to learn more.
10. VC-backed grocery store from Mariano's founder opening 2nd Chicago location
After opening its first location in Lincoln Park last year, Dom's Kitchen & Market, a new grocery store concept led by the founder of Mariano's, plans to add more than a dozen new stores in the coming years, including its second location at 1225 N. Wells St. in Old Town, which opened this fall. Read it here
9. Second round of layoffs hit Cameo in 2022
After reaching unicorn status in 2021 and moving into a new office in River North in September, Chicago-based celebrity engagement platform Cameo joined the long list of tech companies that announced layoffs this fall. Read it here
8. Gemini, a crypto firm from the Winklevoss twins, grows in Chicago
Led by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, Gemini, a New York-based cryptocurrency exchange, signed a long-term lease a 1 S. Wacker Dr. in the Loop in March. Read it here
7. Why Amount bought a Virginia fintech company for $175M
Fresh off last year's $100 million fundraise and $1 billion valuation, Chicago startup Amount acquired Linear Financial Technologies in February. Amount paid $175 million for the Reston, Virginia-based company that simplifies online borrowing for small businesses. Read it here
6. After hauling in $78M, Nebraska logistics startup eyes Chicago office
BasicBlock a fintech startup that provides financing options for truck drivers, announced that Chicago would be its next stop after raising $78 million in equity and debt. Read it here
5. Fintech startup Halo Investing opens new HQ, plans 100 new hires
Halo Investing expanded to a new office in Chicago's financial district in March after raising $100 million last year. Read it here
4. John Deere opens new Fulton Market office to attract tech talent
John Deere opened its first Chicago office in Fulton Market this fall that will see a total of 300 positions hired to support IT within the company. Read it here
3. Forget Zoom — these techies are bringing back in-person Chicago startup events
ChiTechIRL, a new startup event and networking group led by Chicago tech leaders like Abhinaya Konduru, an investor at Chicago VC firm M25, launched as a way to bring Chicago's tech community together for in-person events through its platform. Read it here
2. After selling his startup to P&G, this founder is raising a $40M VC fund
Vijen Patel launched a new VC that aims to back startups in sectors like retail, real estate, manufacturing, energy and other "boring" industries that often struggle to raise venture funding. Read it here
1. A device to better transport organs wins UChicago startup competition
OrganX Scientific was named the top startup at the 10th annual UChicago College New Venture Challenge for its device that is used to transport organs. Read it here
