Chicago City Wire

Chicago’s tech industry continued its rapid growth in 2019 and was on target to add more than 2,000 jobs this year, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.

The growth might fall short of that mark with responses to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

CBRE’s Tech-30 report said the city added 4,582 high-tech jobs in 2017 and 2018. That was enough jobs for a 6.7% increase. In the two previous years, the high-tech job growth rate reached 19.1%

Some of that growth came from tech companies moving offices from the San Francisco area to Chicago, Chicago Bootcamps reported.

Many startups can take credit for some of the growth in the tech industry. Kin Insurance can be counted as one of those startups. The insurance technology company, founded in 2016, raised $64 million in funding, Crunchbase reported.

The insurance carrier uses technology to give consumers the ability to handle all coverage and claims online. Kin’s system doesn't require much more than a property address to create a premium quote tailored to their property. Customers can use the automated system or work with an insurance professional.

This technology enables the carrier to add discounts for improved construction methods. Using the correct storm shutters, windows and properly securing the roof results in a lower quote, CEO and co-founder Sean Harper said. Kin incentivizes better weather mitigation practices that can reduce damages and claims.

Kin filled its team with creative problem solvers, bringing decades of experience in insurance, technology and finance. To prepare team members to tackle industry-wide challenges, Kin supports professional development. Employees attend conferences, training, networking and apprenticeship programs.

The Chicago-based company has offices in Chicago and Tampa Bay.