Chicago tech companies and startups are quick to trumpet the city's attributes as an emerging hub for innovation, whether it's the talent, the proximity to Fortune 500 businesses, or the relative cost of living. But it's standard to support one's own backyard. Sure, the health of an ecosystem can be measured by its ability to retain and grow in-state companies, but it's validated by its capacity for attracting outside businesses.
This week, Chicago's tech hub received such an endorsement with the news that Strike Social, a Los Angeles-based digital video advertising platform, is relocating its headquarters to River North. Strike Social, which employes 100 people across a variety of offices, will have up to 25 employees working in Chicago.
"Relocating our headquarters to Chicago was a logical move as we continue to expand our business," explained Strike CEO and Co-Founder Patrick McKenna. "Chicago’s tech startup scene is booming. In addition, affordable real estate, access to top talent from local schools including the University of Chicago and the University of Illinois, and the strength of both the consumer packaged goods and advertising industries in the area made the decision simple as our growth curve continues to accelerate.”
Along with the move, Strike Social also announced that it has hired Chicago entrepreneur and investor Mark “Moose” Farnham as the company’s COO of SaaS. Previously, Farnham was the COO with HighGround, the employee engagement platform that just raised $7.6 million, and currently serves as an advisor to several local startups, including project44 and Rocketmiles.
Added Farnham, "Pat and team have built a killer business, that in a short three years has already become the dominant force in digital video advertising and intelligence. My goal is to leverage this success by expanding on it with our Software as a Service (SaaS) product."
Strike Social provides businesses and brands with YouTube media planning, buying, and competitive analysis, as well as social media intelligence for Facebook. The startup works with over a third of the U.S.' biggest brands, having just signed its 35th Fortune 100 business as a client. "Strike has continued to grow at a rate of 5x in 2016,” said McKenna, “and our expectation is that this growth will only accelerate as we bolster our team and technology."
Strike's Chicago headquarters will be located at 1 East Wacker Drive in the Kemper building.
(Image via Strike Social)
