Built In Chicago

About Built In Chicago

Built In operates as a recruitment and content platform tailored for the technology sector, connecting tech professionals with companies. The firm was initially founded in 2011 as a social network and blogging platform with a focus on Chicago's local startup scene. This initial concept was created by Matt Moog, who later transitioned leadership to Maria Christopoulos Katris, who became CEO and co-founder, alongside Adam Calica.

Maria Christopoulos Katris brought an entrepreneurial background to the company, having previously started and sold a nanny-placement service while attending Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management for her MBA. Her experience growing up in an entrepreneurial family, whose Greek immigrant parents owned a pharmacy, shaped her business acumen. Recognizing that Chicago's tech companies' primary challenge was accessing talent, she saw the potential to evolve Built In's community model into a scalable recruitment business.

The company's business model centers on providing "talent solutions" for companies, which constitutes the majority of its revenue. This is a subscription-based service where businesses pay for job postings, creating branded content to showcase their company culture, and participation in community events. The platform serves a wide range of clients, from startups to established tech firms, helping them attract both active and passive job seekers. For tech professionals, the platform is a resource for industry news, career development, and discovering companies that align with their personal and professional values.

Initially focused solely on Chicago, Built In successfully expanded its platform to other major tech hubs across the United States, including Austin, Boston, Colorado, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle. A significant milestone was the closing of a $22 million Series C funding round in 2019, which at the time was the largest raised by a woman-led company in Chicago's history. This capital injection was aimed at enhancing its matching engine, which connects professionals with companies based on shared values, and developing a professional development platform.