Best Startup
This article showcases our top picks for the best Illinois based Social companies. These startups and companies are taking a variety of approaches to innovating the Social industry, but are all exceptional companies well worth a follow.
We tried to pick companies across the size spectrum from cutting edge startups to established brands.
We selected these startups and companies for exceptional performance in one of these categories:
- Innovation
- Innovative ideas
- Innovative route to market
- Innovative product
- Growth
- Exceptional growth
- Exceptional growth strategy
- Management
- Societal impact
[adace-ad id=”7108″]
Top Illinois Social Startups
Data sourced from Crunchbase and SemRush.
Zebra Technologies
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Zebra Technologies is a global leader in barcode printing and RTLS technology including printers, RFID, software and supplies.
Groupon
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Groupon is a deal-of-the-day website that offers discounted gift certificates usable at local or national companies.
Sprout Social
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sprout Social provides a platform for businesses to manage social media engagement, publishing and analytics.
Five to Nine
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Five to Nine manages & evaluates virtual event programming so you can focus on building the employee experience.
Popular Pays
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Popular Pays is a platform that connects brands with creators who make content worth sharing.
4C Insights
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Scope by 4C™ is the leading self-service intelligence platform for marketers to drive business outcomes across closed ecosystems.
ShoppingGives
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
ShoppingGives encourages consumers to make an impact through its change commerce technology.
Argonne National Laboratory
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Argonne National Laboratory conducts researches in basic science, energy resources, and environmental management.
tastytrade
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tastytrade is a financial media company that offers trade and finance-related edutainment content for traders and investors.
Cameo
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Cameo is a marketplace where fans can book personalized video shoutouts from their favorite people.
Hunt Club
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Hunt Club is a new kind of talent company that leans on subject matter experts to find your next great hire.
Rise Interactive
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Rise Interactive is a full-service digital marketing agency, helping leading brands drive better business outcomes.
Basecamp
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Basecamp is a private, secure space online where people working together can organize and discuss.
Networked Insights
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Networked Insights provides analytics that enable companies to make data-driven marketing decisions and improve media efficiency.
Blinkfire Analytics
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Blinkfire Analytics uses artificial intelligence and computer vision to analyze multimedia resources and generate reports.
UpCity
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
UpCity helps businesses find service providers they can trust.
Geofeedia
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Geofeedia is specializing in location-based social media monitoring, intelligence, and analysis for corporate security and more.
UpNext
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
UpNext The Game of Music Discovery that maximizes exposure for new & emerging artists.
SIM Partners
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
SIM Partners is a marketing businesses that focuses on improving communication with local markets.
Professional Diversity Network
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
A best resource for meeting diversity recruitment goals.
RiseKit
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
RiseKit connects un(der)employed job candidates to careers, training, and resources while providing analytics for employers and grantmakers.
TruePublic
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
TruePublic is a crowd-sourced platform that allows users to ask questions, share honest opinions, and learn about the world around them.
Social Market Analytics
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Social Market Analytics quantifies social media data and provides actionable market intelligence primarily to financial market investors.
Cision
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Cision is a global media intelligence company that offers PR and social software as well as analytics.
Abe’s Market
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Abe’s Market is an online marketplace that provides natural product entrepreneurs with a platform to showcase their products.
PeopleVine
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
PeopleVine was built for private clubs and member-based business looking to provide premier and elevated experiences for their members.
Future Founders
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Future Founders is a nonprofit that believes every youth can become an entrepreneur.
Sentic Technologies Inc
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sentic is a Chicago-based startup that programmatically incorporates trends, inventory levels, and social activities into digital marketing.
Strike Social
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
The global leader in AI for social advertising
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® is an international service organization.
SportsLock
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
First of its kind, real-time, short duration fantasy sports experience. Draft against friends, compete in brackets, survive and win cash!
PowerPublish
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
PowerPublish is a virtual newsroom that leverages technology and content automation that turns modern brands into power publishers.
WeSolv
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
WeSolv is a technical solution that engages diverse candidates in real business.
Tagkast
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Tagkast is a photo marketing platform to help event marketers increase social reach and capture consumer data
mRelief
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
mRelief offers an online and SMS tool for low-income Americans to find out if they qualify for social services.
Ditto
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
$1-A-Ditto across Brokerages & Exchanges Globally -A StatsBased IncomeDriven Platform Powering Decentralized PonziProof Investing
Earshot
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Earshot is a precision-based customer acquisition platform
elicit
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
elicit develops onsite search software solutions for the internet, mobile devices, and social media.
Noirefy
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Noirefy is a web platform that connects diverse professionals to corporations using data and referrals.
Sivic
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
A Chicago, IL-based maker of a ‘post function’ app.
Health As We Age, Inc.
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
HAWA is Your Friend In Healthcare. Let us connect you to health & fitness providers, device and lab data, incentiv and well-being solutions.
Growth Geeks
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Growth Geeks is an online marketplace for high quality, vetted marketing services.
StageBloc
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
StageBloc is the best way to create, promote and sell anything.
Pairade
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Pairade is an application where fans can see and interact with entertainers and bands.
matchist
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Matchist is a product design company that helps businesses with APIs develop certification programs.
Sarah’s Circle
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sarah’s Circle envisions a safe and secure home for every woman in Chicago.
Yapmo
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Yapmo is a mobile software company providing tools that enhance employee engagement and productivity and reduce information overload.
For True Foodies Only
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
True Foodies is the culinary world in your pocket.
SiteVibes
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
A User Generated Content & Visual Marketing Platform helping ecommerce businesses engage shoppers.
BCKSTGR
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
BCKSTGR, an authenic way to engage and influence today’s digitally connected consumers through virtual currency, rewards, and gamification.
TableNOW
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
TableNow is a web based online table booking software.
PreeMe+You
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
PreeMe+You is a social benefit health startup that works to improve premature infant health and developmental outcomes.
SketchMe
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
SketchMe is a social media application that enables its users to capture their friends’ special moments and share them with one another.
Transparentrees
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Transparentrees is a web-based app, listing company and employee reviews while revealing the reporting structure within an organization.
Lasso
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Lasso is a communications platform that develops social networking and mobile applications.
Bambu
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Bambu is software that renders advocacy solutions for employees of a company to share curated content on social networks.
CloudSpotter Technologies
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
CloudSpotter is an advanced photo analytics firm paving the path for private, automated photo sharing.
SocialKaty
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
SocialKaty is a social media marketing agency developing strategy and daily execution of social media marketing for brands.
Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation drives venture creation and technology commercialization at the University of Chicago
eMazeMe
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
eMazeMe allows its users to find and share their preferred service providers by creating a social directory of trusted businesses.
Sensefolio
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Artificial Intelligence ESG Data startup specialized in socially responsible investment #AI #ESG #SRI #AM #FinTech
soundBYTE App
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
soundBYTE is a social application that allows its users to record audio, called BYTES, and share them on a limitless platform.
Buzz Digital (formerly Buzz Referrals)
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Buzz Referrals enables companies to have their own referral programs that integrate with both social media and their company websites.
VivaKi
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Vivaki, a marketing communications organization, provides digital advertising solutions that connects advertises with consumers.
Sycamore Media
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Sycamore Media Holdings is a media startup that focuses on promoting entrepreneurship
LuminAID
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
LuminAID seeks to make safe light and energy accessible for all.
Transistor.fm
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Podcast hosting and analytics for creatives, brands, and professionals.
BCV
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
BCV is a full service social media provider focused on the hospitality industry.
Laudville
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Laudville observes users’ activities on social and entertainment sites to recommend movies, music and books.
WOW
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
WOW is an online content provider in entertainment, health, technology, food, lifestyle, family, sports, and finance.
Kumbuya
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Kumbuya is a social commerce site that allows users to create communities of people with similar interests.
DateBox
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Dating is hard, how about a little help from your friends?
Dishable
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Dishable’s method for Consumer Research is faster, broader, more expanse, and less expensive than using traditional survey tecniques.
Walker Sands
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Walker Sands is a B2B marketing agency focused on accelerating growth.
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Save money, make money and strengthen community ties via sharing, rental & sales within closed trusted groups such as residential buildings.
Black Doctor
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
BlackDoctor.org is the nation’s leading health website for African Americans. Currently reaching 14.5 million users per month, BlackDoctor.
snapAsong
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
snapAsong is a smartphone app that enables its users to take and share pictures with its current background music.
ScoreMore
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
ScoreMore is a mobile technology that enables users to increase their fan engagement and drives team revenues at large venues.
Exact Data
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Direct Marketing Services including Postal, Email, and Phone Lists and Social Media Pay-Per-Click Advertising
Golin
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Golin offers businesses with technology solutions and insights that focus on connecting brands with their customers.
GiftPrompt, Inc.
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
GiftPrompt is a tech company with a vision to automate and personalize eCommerce via mobile app.
Straight North
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Straight North is a digital marketing, search engine optimization, and website design company.
Innovare – Social Innovation Partners
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Our data strategy app Inno™ empowers education leaders to impact students and communities.
Aspen Marketing Services
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Aspen Marketing Services is a digital marketing company focusing on both response and engagement techniques.
Graham Media Group
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Graham Media Group is a broadcast media company.
EdgeRank Checker
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
EdgeRank Checker is a free tool enabling Facebook marketers to check their page’s exposure within Facebook.
SocialDefender
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Social Defender helps businesses manage and protect their social presence across all social platforms.
Brickfish
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Brickfish provide social media software that enables brands to build, manage and monitor social engagement and ROI.
Student Film Channel
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Student Film Channel provides an online video platform for films and videos created by students.
Chicago Tribune
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Chicago Tribune is a daily newspaper that features local and international news, along with in-depth coverage of sports, business, and more.
Bizware
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Bizware provides an online platform that allows networking, financing, prequalification, and connecting for selling or buying businesses.
Mirror.me
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Mirror.me is a company that provides technology for customer service representatives to video chat and access remote control capabilities.
Birdfeud
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Birdfeud is a Twitter-powered social debate platform that gives its users a place to engage in the biggest conversations online.
COS
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
COS is a Chicago-based online music publication that reports on all of music’s breaking news, in addition to hyping new artists and more.
Pear (formerly Apparel Media Group)
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Pear helps groups and events obtain sponsorships support from major brands and local businesses.
debate.org
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Debate.org is a free online community where intelligent minds from around the world come to debate online and read the opinions of others.
Attack of the Fanboy
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Online media platform that covers video game news, video game reviews, game guides and more.
Be Found Online
Crunchbase Website Twitter Facebook Linkedin
Be Found Online is a boutique digital marketing company that is focused on search engine marketing strategies.
