18 Local Companies to Watch This Spring

In Chicago, spring isn’t just a time to shed winter coats and take longer walks along Lake Michigan — it’s also a time to invest in the future. 

Companies across the city are looking ahead as they focus on building out innovative solutions and empowering cultures that will set them up for long-term success. For instance, as OCC embraces cloud-based technologies, the company is ensuring its people have what they need to balance professional ambition with personal happiness, offering perks like generous PTO and tuition reimbursement. 

On the other hand, Zoro is pursuing its mission to help business owners while giving its people everything they need to achieve its business goals. In addition to offering a flexible workplace, the company gives its employees access to perks like adoption assistance and recreational clubs, making it easy for everyone to stay motivated — and supported.

For Chicago’s technologists, OCC and Zoro, along with 16 other companies, offer endless opportunities to make an impact. Read on to what makes each company one to watch this spring. 

What OCC does: OCC provides stability to the listed options marketplace by guaranteeing options trades.

A new era in cloud-native fintech: Two OCC leaders spoke with Built In Chicago to offer insight into the company’s “Renaissance Initiative,” which focuses on leveraging cloud-based technology to develop evolutionary solutions. According to OCC Executive Principal of Cloud Architecture Candice Schmidt, the company’s use of cloud-based technology has unlocked many benefits so far, including the ability to maintain steady, predictable performance through automation. “We’ll be taking advantage of technology that lets us use autoscaling while ensuring that we still have the reliability and the high level of availability that we have with our current setup,” she said.

 

 

What UL Solutions does: UL Solutions is an applied safety science company dedicated to making products safer, more secure and more sustainable. 

In the news: Earlier this year, UL Solutions announced the opening of its new laboratory in Ningbo, China, which offers testing services for retail and consumer products, such as apparel, footwear and furniture. In an online statement, UL Solutions Vice President and General Manager of Retail and Consumer Products Josh Warren shared, “Our facility in Ningbo is one of several major investments UL Solutions has made in the retail industry, including our digital tools, technical expertise and extensive global network of testing laboratories.” He added that these investments are intended to help the company’s customers meet compliance requirements, evaluate quality and safety data, access new markets and build consumer trust.

 

 

What Applied Systems does: Applied Systems’ cloud-based software enables insurance agencies to develop online experiences. 

In the news: Last year, Applied Systems announced its acquisition of Planck, a company that offers an AI-based data platform for commercial insurance businesses. According to a Built In Chicago report, Planck’s AI technology will be incorporated into Applied Systems’ offerings and is expected to streamline critical business processes for agencies, carriers and their clients by optimizing marketing, sales, underwriting, renewals, servicing and advisory services.

 

 

 

 

What Beyond Finance does: Beyond Finance offers financial products that are designed to help individuals overcome debt. 

The key to productivity: In an interview with Built In Chicago, Beyond Finance Software Engineer II Charlotte Smith to share how she strives to maintain productivity throughout the workday. One practice she leans on is to arrive at a meaningful stopping point on a task before responding to an action item. “It’s tempting to jump back and forth with notifications and emails — especially if you know it will be a quick task,” Smith said. “However, reducing those distractions saves time you’d otherwise need trying to regain your focus and figure out where you left off.”

 

 

What Enova does: Enova’s lending platform, powered by machine learning, is designed to serve the needs of non-prime consumers and small businesses.

The perks of being hybrid: Joanna Burgraf, a studios senior manager at Enova, spoke with Built In Chicago to describe her favorite aspects of the company’s hybrid work model. And while she loves having the flexibility of working from home on occasion, she cherishes the workdays she gets to spend in the office. “One of my favorite outcomes of this hybrid schedule is the unexpected realization of how much I value the energy of being in the office,” Burgraf said. “Whether it's a quick walk with a coworker or a change of scenery within the workspace, I find these moments rejuvenating.”

 

 

What Bounteous does: Bounteous is an end-to-end digital transformation consultancy delivering innovative and strategic solutions in strategy, analytics, digital engineering, cloud, data and AI, experience design and marketing.

Striving for ‘exceptional results’: Bounteous Vice President of Alliance Development Sabrina Tanguay, who joined the company last year, spoke with Built In Chicago about the work she handles in her role and her leadership style. “By prioritizing the needs of our clients and team members, I strive to deliver exceptional results and drive sustainable growth,” she shared. “I believe that a healthy work environment built on mutual respect and openness to new ideas is key to fostering innovation and achieving excellence.”

 

 

 

What Avant does: Avant offers financial tools and solutions that are designed to help middle-income consumers reach their economic goals. 

Tackling challenges together: In the “@ Avant” blog series posted on the company’s website, Yefen Zhou, a director on the account management strategy team, described what she appreciates the most about the company’s culture, including its collaborative nature. “Anytime we see a business challenge, we work together to find the root cause and decide what’s the best next step to resolve it,” she said. “And it’s not isolated to just one team — every team has ideas to share.”

 

 

What Zoro does: Zoro is an e-commerce company that offers products for business owners, from tools and machinery to shipping supplies. 

Navigating life’s curveballs: Jay Shell-Larson, director of data science and product analytics at Zoro, recently caught up with Built In Chicago to share how the company’s flexible workplace enables employees to thrive as professionals — and people. “Sometimes life throws curveballs — a sick kid, a family emergency, a last-minute appointment,” he said. “In those moments, the priority is just making sure people feel supported. Managers step in, teammates help each other out and we figure it out together.”

 

 

What Vivid Seats does: Vivid Seats operates an online ticket marketplace, connecting fans with live music, theatrical and sporting events. 

All in on collaboration: Vivid Seats Senior Manager of Software Engineering William Dibbern caught up with Built In Chicago to share insight into the company’s collaborative culture:. “In my time at Vivid Seats, I’ve seen how our culture embodies collaboration; through the empathy and respect each team member shows each other, how we all strive to build an inclusive and diverse team and how motivated everyone is to find the best way to accomplish our shared goals,” he said.

 

 

 

What Grubhub does: Grubhub offers a food ordering app that’s used by over 33 million people. 

‘The freedom to take risks’: Grubhub Director of Restaurant Sales Nicole Wilder caught up with Built In Chicago to describe the company’s sales culture, which she fosters a “feeling of belonging and excitement,” which encourages team members to do more. “There’s still this palpable buzz and enthusiasm that most organizations tend to lose over time,” she said. “Our salespeople are entrepreneurs, owners and innovators. They have the freedom to take risks, and failures are celebrated as valuable learning opportunities.”

 

 

What ALIS by Medtelligent does: ALIS by Medtelligent is the team dedicated to designing, building, delivering and supporting Medtelligent’s flagship product, ALIS, which was created to help assisted living communities eliminate tedious paperwork, improve portfolio performance and more.

United by curiosity: Carlos Muñoz Losa, a machine learning engineer at ALIS by Medtelligent, caught up with Built In Chicago to share what he loves the most about his work and the company's culture as a whole. “The growth and hunger for learning are universal here,” he shared. “Everyone is curious and eager to learn more and share their findings.”

 

 

What Lessen does: Lessen aims to make it easier to care for and improve real estate properties, offering a platform that provides data-driven insights for investors, owners, managers and service providers. 

In the news: Earlier this year, Lessen announced the launch of its new partnership with Property Meld, a property maintenance operations platform. The partnership, which is part of Property Meld’s Nexus program, is designed to drive efficiency and streamline maintenance operations for property managers nationwide. “As residential owners and managers grapple with challenges presented by labor shortages and economic uncertainty, solutions that simplify tedious processes like vendor management are a top priority,” Lessen Chief Revenue Officer Sean Miller shared in an online statement. “By integrating our robust vendor network into Property Meld’s VendorNexus program, we enable property managers to improve operational efficiency, reduce risk, and eliminate unneeded frustration.”

 

 

 

What PEAK6 does: PEAK6 is an investment firm that builds and invests in businesses spanning a variety of industries, from insurance to education. 

In the news: Late last year, PEAK6 announced its decision to move its headquarters from Chicago to Austin, Texas. “Texas has been a cornerstone of PEAK6’s growth for over a decade,” PEAK6 Co-Founder and Co-CEO Matt Hulsizer shared in an online statement. “With the majority of our talented workforce now based in Texas and Austin emerging as our largest office, moving our headquarters was an important decision to be closer to our team. We’re excited for the next chapter of PEAK6 that will be written from our new headquarters.”

 

 

What EDGE does: EDGE, a NinjaHoldings brand, offers a platform that measures consumer credit risk by leveraging data related to income, spending and balance history. 

Innovation lies ahead: Earlier this year, EDGE Data Engineer Zhiqun Nie spoke with Built In Chicago about the project she’s most excited to work on this year. “In 2025, we’re embarking on one of our most ambitious and exciting projects: building a next-generation analytics data pipeline that will revolutionize how we process, analyze and leverage consumer banking data to deliver cutting-edge credit features and scores,” she said. “This project isn’t just about storing data — it’s about unlocking its potential to make credit risk analysis faster, smarter and more inclusive.”

 

 

What GoHealth does: GoHealth offers an online health insurance marketplace, guided by the aim to help individuals and families find affordable insurance plans that meet their needs. 

The perks of being in the office: Last year, GoHealth Director of Technical Accounting Jen Cylinder spoke with Built In Chicago about the benefits of working from GoHealth’s Chicago office. For her, the greatest aspect of coming into the office isn’t just the great location — it’s the people she gets to work with. “Being in a room with my peers helps me feel more connected to the company and adds a sense of community and camaraderie,” Cylinder said.

 

 

 

What Quantum Rise does: Quantum Rise is dedicated to helping businesses develop and implement AI-driven solutions. 

In pursuit of sustainability: Earlier this year, Quantum Rise announced its new sustainability initiative in partnership with CNaught, a company that enables organizations to purchase and manage a portfolio of carbon credits. “Our mission at Quantum Rise goes beyond transforming businesses with AI — we’re also committed to taking care of the planet,” CEO and Founder Alex Kelleher shared in an online statement. “By teaming up with CNaught, we’re making meaningful strides to reduce our environmental impact and support our clients in achieving their sustainability goals.”

 

 

What ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC does: Founded in 1997, ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC is a global clearing firm that offers a variety of financial services, such as clearing, execution, stock borrowing and lending, and settlement. 

Embracing balance: Jordan Hopwood, a chapter lead at ABN AMRO Clearing USA LLC, spoke with Built In Chicago to describe how the firm’s hybrid work model enables employees to reap the benefits of working in person with their peers while prioritizing the things in life that matter the most. “Personally, I have a three-year-old, and the hybrid working model allows me to balance business needs with family life in a way that working fully onsite would not,” he said. 

 

 

What Pangea Money Transfer does: Pangea Money Transfer, an independent subsidiary under Enova International, offers a mobile app that’s designed to enable individuals to quickly and securely send money internationally. 

Keeping up with tech’s evolution: In an interview with Built In Chicago, Shafiq Shariff, senior vice president of product and innovation at Pangea Money Transfer, described how his team has acclimated to the continuous evolution of product management. This includes a focus on encouraging team members to explore new technologies and practices. “One of Pangea’s core values is introspection,” Shariff said. “As a matter of ongoing practice, our product team A/B tests all consumer facing changes from UX to new feature releases to pricing and publishes learnings as part of our monthly product update.”