urbanbound

Built in Chicago: Chicago real estate-centered accelerator announces inaugural class

"Moderne Ventures, a Chicago-based early-stage venture fund that focuses on tech startups in the real estate space, announced the launch of its Accelerator Class today. Members include Chicago startups UrbanBound, Growth Geeks and Purchasing Platform, along with 5 other startups from across the country..." Read More

News Wrapup from October, November & December

From Accelerator news to award nominations, October, November and December have been filled with milestones. A few highlights:

Moderne Ventures Announced as a 50 on Fire Finalist

In October, Chicago Inno’s 50 on Fire announced the finalists for its list of visionary individuals and companies disrupting and innovating Chicago’s top industries. Moderne Ventures was honored to be among them.

First Two Moderne Accelerator Participants Accepted

On November 17, Moderne Ventures announced the first two companies to be accepted into the Moderne Accelerator, which provides resources and guidance to help launch technology companies in to the tech marketplace. This included Growth Geeks, a marketplace that connects businesses to freelance marketing talent, and UrbanBound, a service that helps companies provide new hires with relocation assistance.

Founder Constance Freedman Named to the Inman 101

In December, Constance Freedman was named one of the Inman 101, a selection of what the award calls “rebels, CEOs, power brokers, misfits, deal-makers, newbies and innovators whose ideas and actions will influence the way homes are bought and sold.” 

Moderne Accelerator Application Process Closes

December 15 saw the deadline for applications to the Moderne Accelerator. This means that in just one short month, the full class of participants will be announced at Inman Connect, real estate’s premier technology conference. The conference takes place in New York City on January 26–29.

 

Growth Geeks and UrbanBound: The First Moderne Accelerator Participants

On Tuesday, Moderne Ventures announced the first two companies that have been accepted into the Moderne Accelerator, a program that provides resources to technology companies in order to successfully launch them into the tech marketplace. 

By providing these companies essential education and market exposure, plus access to the Moderne Network—a collection of more than 200 brokers, developers, financial institutions, and other important experts willing to offer their knowledge, not to mention a chance to earn their business—the program is designed to help them seize multi-billion opportunities and grow their business at a much faster rate than they could alone. 

Growth Geeks

Growth Geeks is a marketplace that connects businesses to freelance marketing talent. Good marketing is essential for a successful business, but hiring a full marketing agency is often cost prohibitive for smaller businesses and independent contractors. On the Growth Geeks website, these businesses will find hundreds of marketing experts, each of whom work on a gig-by-gig basis and come individually approved by the Growth Geeks team. In return, marketers with unique expertise, such as in content marketing, social media, or analytics, can make the most of their skills while keeping a flexible schedule

UrbanBound

UrbanBound seeks to make relocating for a job a less stressful and less expensive process. New hires start with a personalized to-do list filled with tasks ranging from finding housing to ordering internet service to learning about their new city. Every step of the way, the UrbanBound website offers tailored assistance: a list of cable providers with rates and ratings, a thorough introduction to the city and its sights, even a personalized  budget and expense list. This leg up on the relocation process helps new hires settle into their new surroundings quickly, reducing moving stress and making them more likely to stay at their new company.