Mayor Touts Burgeoning Tech Sector That is Adding 2,000 Jobs
Chicago’s tech ecosystem is the city’s fastest-growing industry sector with more than 4,000 digital companies—a more than 270% growth rate in just 10 years.
CHICAGO— Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and World Business Chicago put the spotlight on 15 local tech firms at the third annual Chicago Tech Day that have or will be adding a combined total of more than 2,000 new jobs in the city through 2020.
Chicago’s tech ecosystem is the city’s fastest-growing industry sector with more than 4,000 digital companies—a more than 270% growth rate in just 10 years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech jobs have grown 38.6% since 2010, employing more than 143,000 people.
City officials noted that Chicago has become a global tech hub, attracting an increasing number of resident tech companies, including micro-data and cybersecurity, automation and artificial intelligence firms, which are drawn to the city’s diversified economy and talent pool.
“Every year, more tech companies are opening offices in Chicago, creating new jobs for our city’s unmatched workforce and furthering our status as a leading hub for 21st-century innovation,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “As a city, we are working to ensure residents in every community have the tools, resources and skills they need to be a part of Chicago’s rapidly-growing tech industry.”
Andrea Zopp, president and CEO of World Business Chicago, noted that 1871 Chicago was recently recognized at the World Incubation Summit as the World #1 Private Business Incubator. “It is because of game-changing organizations like 1871 that Chicago is a leader in bold, innovative ideas and entrepreneurship. Today we are proud to celebrate the growth of our local tech companies,” she added.
The Chicago Tech Day event, held on Monday at the headquarters of Relativity, was hosted by World Business Chicago’s initiative ChicagoNEXT.