CHICAGO—High-tech jobs have become increasingly important to the office market in many cities, and Chicago continues to garner more than its share of the sector's expansion. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said yesterday that 14 local tech companies will add more than 1,000 jobs in Chicago during 2017. The mayor leaves for Europe today where he will promote Chicago as a tech and innovation hub.

“Chicago's growing tech economy is among the strongest in the world because it leverages the strength of our diverse economy,” the mayor said. “The companies here today, which will create more than 1,000 jobs this year alone, represent some of the most innovative businesses in Chicago's emerging tech community.”

According to Chicago-based JLL, tech remains the US office sector's dominant industry, capturing 24.2% of leasing volume during the first quarter. In comparison, finance and insurance represented 14.2% of the first quarter's leasing volume. The tech industry has held the top spot for several years now. In 2016, for example, JLL found that in the previous two years, 63% of the tech leases involved expansions, compared to about 48% of leases overall.

The Chicago tech companies expanding this year include:

4C – a data science and media technology company with solutions for multi-screen convergence; 40 jobs
5thColumn – an information security company focused on advanced real-time threat protection and managed threat detection and response; 35 jobs
ActiveCampaign – an intelligence-driven marketing and sales automation company helping businesses grow by strengthening their relationship with customers utilizing a blend of automation and human touch; 150 jobs
CityBase – a technology firm that gives people and businesses an intuitive way to interact with government agencies and utilities, providing technology that improves payment solutions, digital services and API development for cities, states and utilities; 50 jobs
Enova – a provider of online financial services to non-prime consumers and small businesses, providing access to credit powered by its advanced analytics, innovative technology, and world-class online platform and services; 75 jobs
Fourkites – a technology company that ensures real-time transparency and efficiency, providing comprehensive real-time tracking and supply chain visibility solutions across transportation modes and digital platforms; 40 jobs
Hireology - a technology company that provides an integrated hiring and retention platform to help businesses build great teams, lift customer service and drive profitability; 35 jobs
kCura – the developers of Relativity, an e-discovery platform used by more than 13,000 organizations to manage large volumes of data and quickly identify key issues during litigation, internal investigations, and compliance projects; 200 jobs
Origami Risk – a technology firm committed to designing intuitive web-based software that streamlines how risk, insurance and claims data is collected, managed, analyzed and shared; 25 jobs
Performics – a performance marketing agency that leverages data, technology and talent to create and convert consumer demand for the world's most admired brands. Performics creates connected and personalized digital experiences across paid, earned and owned media; 100 jobs
Power Reviews – a provider of ratings, reviews and question-and-answer technology to more than 1,000 global brands and retailers; 50 jobs
SilkRoad - the leading provider of talent activation technology – enables organizations to better retain talent by delivering personalized experiences that engage and activate people throughout every transition of the employee journey; 20 jobs
SMS Assist - an innovative mobile and cloud-based multisite property management company; 150 jobs
Sprout Social - a technology provider that offers social media engagement, advocacy and analytics software for leading agencies and brands; 200 jobs

KPMG ranked Chicago the sixth best global tech hub, and Pitchbook ranked it first in the country for venture capital return-on-investment.

“The entrepreneurs, industry leaders, skill developers, universities and innovation hubs work together to advance Chicago as a leading, global tech city by attracting diverse talent, driving inclusive entrepreneurship, improving access to capital and facilitating connections to cultivate growth,” said Mark Tebbe, chairman of ChicagoNEXT, World Business Chicago's technology council.

Emanuel's travels will take him to Berlin, London and Milan. In London, he will join a delegation of Chicago companies to help implement the Chicago-London Data Alliance that he and Mayor Khan signed in Chicago in September 2016.

Instant Insights /

Chicago Tech Community Adding 1,000 Jobs

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