Categories: Workplaces

Windy City’s Winning Innovators: Top Startups to Work for in Chicago

Job hunting in Chicago and hoping to end up at a company with a “cutting edge” vibe? While Chicago may not be as tech-saturated as Silicon Valley, there are still plenty of startups happy to call the Windy City home. If you’re looking to get your start at an innovative young company in the capital of the Midwest, then consider checking out the “jobs” pages at these top startups in Chicago:

SpotHero: With SpotHero, you can find, book, and pay for a parking spot remotely to avoid all the downtown-parking stress. The start up operates across the U.S., but is based in Chicago. Employees can expect flexible vacation, weekly catering, great health and insurance benefits, and team events that are actually fun (yay for ice cream parties!). SpotHero snagged the 2015 “Best Start Up of the Year” Moxie Award from Built In Chicago, so get in on the ground floor of this rapidly rising company.

Snapsheet: Snapsheet is reinventing the insurance claims experience to be less headache-prone. The company has the typical awesome benefits of a savvy startup, like flexible time, gym discounts, and a casual dress code, but Snapsheet one ups many other startups with its generous 401k plan with 50 percent matching. Plus — Jenga and ping pong as in-office stress relievers!

Raise: Ever get a giftcard to a store that you know you’ll never set foot in? Enter Raise: an online marketplace for buying and selling unwanted giftcards. Perks of working at this Chicago startup include a casual dress code, tons of healthy snacks on hand, an open, collaborative work environment, and an uber-accessible location right on the Loop.

NuCurrent: Ranked the #1 Most Innovative Business in Illinos by Crain’s Business Journal in 2015, NuCurrent was launched at Northwestern University in 2009 as a forward-thinking wireless charging technology creator. NuCurrent offers equity for all employees, a funded 401k, and beer on tap at the office. Drink up!

Rippleshot: Rippleshot is fighting banking fraud by detecting potential credit and debit card breaches lighting fast. At this start up, you can expect a fairly flat management structure, food truck lunches, and an emphasis on giving back to the tech community by encouraging employees to speak and present at conferences (some team members are even returning instructors at the Startup Institute in 1871).

Kapow: Kapow is changing the game on corporate events and outings, making them easier to book and more fun than ever. “Kapowers” (aka Kapow’s awesome employees) are privy to a fully stocked office bar, unlimited time off, and the most innovative and cutting edge software technologies like Rail, Linux, and MySQL to harness at work.

GrubHub: The popular food delivery service calls Chicago its headquarters, and you could call it your next place of employment. Employees at the corporate headquarters in the Loop get great benefits and perks like an in-building gym, continuous learning opportunities, and a weekly lunch credit (you know GrubHub takes employee hunger seriously).

Did your fav Chicago startup make the list? If not, share your dream startup employer with us in the comments below!

Emily Matras

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