Justin Massa

PeopleFoundry builds out teams for high-growth technology companies in the Midwest. Our focus is on founders and innovators of venture backed businesses. We work with you to create a talent strategy to hire the best people who all share the same passion and commitment to your company’s vision. We’re not your typical suit and tie and neither are you. We get it, and our culture based approach will increase your team’s retention and business success. We work with people who push the needle forward.

Food Genius is a leading foodservice data provider specializing in gathering, preparing, and serving granular foodservice menu data and analytics. We support foodservice manufacturers, operators, and distributors with straightforward and digestible reports, services, and analytics. Our products are used to answer many complex foodservice business questions. From competitive price tracking for optimization to statistical analysis of current burger toppings for the development new offerings, Food Genius has smarter data and analytics. Food Genius serves nationally recognized companies and brands, including Coca-Cola, Arby’s, and US Foods. As an industry leader in foodservice data and analytics, Food Genius is on a mission to provide foodservice manufacturers, operators, and distributors with the data analytics they need to make smarter, more informed decisions. Food is a tricky business. The products are difficult to track, information is scantly shared, and much of the industry operates in a fog of speculation. This is partly because, unlike most other industries, foodservice inputs are entirely different than its outputs. What starts off as a chickpea ends up as hummus and somewhere during that transformation, information is lost. That’s where Food Genius comes in. Through the use of proprietary and advanced technology, Food Genius is able to create a "data-trail"​ for foodservice products. We understand better than anybody how to match data about foodservice products that are sold to restaurants with the data about menu items which are served in restaurants. By soliciting Food Genius’s powerful data and analytics services, everyone in the foodservice industry - from manufacturers to operators - can understand better how their products are being used and consumed. No more information gaps that cause missed opportunities. No more leaving money on the table.

RISE is the first energy management app that makes it easy to improve your sleep and daily energy to reach your potential. Its not time spent in REM, a new mattress, or a weighted blanket that affect how we feel and perform. RISE is built around the two principles that sleep researchers agree unlock better days: sleep debt and circadian rhythm. After years of working with professional athletes, startups, and Fortune 500s, weve launched our consumer app to empower everyone with a smartphone to awaken to their best selves. Rise Science is backed by Goodwater Capital, True Ventures, Freestyle Capital, and High Alpha; investors behind category winners Fitbit, Peloton, and Facebook. For more information and to download RISE visit http://www.risescience.com.

Remix Partners turns generative AI from sideline experiments to growth engines for businesses. We believe every business needs to "remix" itself—holding dear what makes it unique while embracing AIs new possibilities. Through hands-on guidance, we help leaders understand the GenAI landscape, master LLMs, and establish an AI-first organizational practice that delivers tangible impact: saving time, increasing profitability, and prioritizing strategic investments. With over 45 years of combined experience in product, innovation, and technology leadership, partners Jason and Justin bridge the dissolving lines between strategy, design, and implementation to help companies navigate GenAIs changing landscape and achieve real outcomes from their AI investments.

helping companies create new value and unlock effeciencies with generative AI

IDEO (pronounced “EYE-dee-oh”) is a global design consultancy helping the world’s most audacious dreamers create braver tomorrows. We activate our science of design with the alchemy of our wide-eyed and wonderful creative people to make futures you can click, feel, taste, test, and believe in. Our early days were filled with designing groundbreaking physical products, but 40 years in, you’ll find that we’ve been busy working on the future of almost everything, from sustainable supply chains with H&M to design-oriented organizations with Ford, entire civic infrastructures with Intercorp—and so much more.

Our vision at Northern Illinois Food Bank is for everyone in Northern Illinois to have the food they need to thrive. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, we serve our neighbors in 13 counties with dignity, equity and convenience, providing 250,000 meals a day. We bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. We also proudly partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. Our distribution centers are located in Geneva, Park City, Rockford and Joliet. Find out how you can get help, volunteer, donate or get involved at SolveHungerToday.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Techstars Chicago is at the center of the Midwest startup community, one of the fastest growing ecosystems in the U.S. Follow @techstars for more.