Chicago companies making a difference during the pandemic.
It’s in times like these that brands and businesses begin to emerge as leaders. And we have no shortage of that happening here in Chicago, where businesses small and large are innovating in order to deliver more value to customers and offer insight and relief to businesses, families, and front line responders most affected by the coronavirus pandemic. As a follow-up to the article I published last week, below is a list of more Chicago-based companies making a difference during the pandemic.
Built In: Tech hub Built In launched its #UnitedWeTech campaign, inviting tech professionals and companies to share stories of innovation and philanthropy on social media in response to COVID-19. The goal of the campaign is to amplify stories where technology is being used as a positive force and unite the tech industry around its collective power to make a difference while inspiring each other to keep fighting the fight.
Farmer’s Fridge: After seeing a lot of inbound demand for their products at hospitals, healthy meal provider Farmer’s Fridge has started to install fully stocked mini-coolers in doctors’ lounges and hospitals to get fresh food to healthcare workers on the frontlines. Their goal is to fully subsidize the coolers so that doctors and nurses don't have to pay for their meals, and the hospitals don’t need to worry about the costs or finding budget that may not exist. The company is now seeking individuals or companies to sponsor the coolers.
Fast Radius: As a leading provider of additive manufacturing solutions, Fast Radius is accelerating production of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields, face masks, and emergency ventilators.
G2: Tech marketplace G2 is helping companies manage technology costs with free access to G2 Track, a solution that helps businesses optimize their software spend and track utilization through a single platform that integrates with important business tools.
GoNanny: In response to restaurant closures, ride and care provider GoNanny is applying their small-business friendly logistics platform to support the industry. Their new food delivery platform increases retained revenue from restaurant delivery operations, puts W2 employees back to work to facilitate deliveries during this crisis, and sustains brand ownership from the kitchen to the customer’s doorstep.
Higi: Consumer health engagement company Higi is using its 10,000 retail stations and mobile application to create awareness and drive education around the coronavirus. To further extend its services, Higi is launching a new partnership with remote health services provider, Babylon Health, to offer users a free, self-service digital symptom checker along with access to clinical guidance on when to seek testing. With this tool, consumers will be able to better understand their risks and easily get in touch with clinical resources at Babylon.
Kaizen Health: After looking at the changing dynamics around non-critical medical treatments, particularly reduction of treatments, Kaizen Health connected with their hospital and clinic clients to learn what was most needed to support the health of individuals isolated at home. Within two weeks they spun up a solution that would use their existing technology and transportation network to deliver groceries, medications, durable medical equipment, and other necessities like diapers, medical supplies, etc. to people in need.
Livongo: As a health platform that provides remote monitoring for people with chronic conditions, Livongo is in a unique position to service those at greatest risk of the virus. As a part of its services, the company delivers free supplies to members’ doors, provides 24/7 telehealth access, connects members with virtual care team members like friends and family, and delivers personalized health insights to physicians. Livongo added coronavirus specific content as well as anxiety and isolation specific modules to its health platform. While Livongo is not headquartered in Chicago, the company does have a huge footprint here and is the hometown of founder Glen Tullman.
PopularPays: Influencer marketing platform PopularPays is expanding their "Pop Pays it Forward" program to provide free software and service to any nonprofit or organization working to curtail the spread of misinformation, encourage behavior to flatten the curve, and highlight crisis resources. The company is also supporting small businesses impacted by the social distancing mandate with free Pop Pays Lite access in order to promote contact-free pickup and delivery.
PrintWithMe: If you’re in need of printing services in the Chicago or Brooklyn area, look no further than PrintWithMe. The self-serve, wireless printer provider reacted to the close of businesses by quickly adding an option for delivery. What’s more, they used this new-found service to run a face mask drive for a Chicago-based hospital.
Rheaply: Asset management tech company Rheaply is collaborating with Northwestern Memorial, Northwestern University, and The Buffett Center at Northwestern to launch a Resource Exchange between suppliers of needed medical supplies and clinics. The technology allows healthcare stakeholders to easily connect and receive notifications when medical supplies that fit their needs become available as well as create requests that suppliers can answer. All data will be published on a public interactive map in real-time so that anyone can access the medical supply needs for Illinois at the county level.
SitterCity: In-home care online marketplace Sittercity has partnered with the City of Chicago to offer three free months of Sittercity Premium to help Chicago’s healthcare workers and first responders.
If you’re a Chicago business looking for helpful information and important resources to help navigate the Covid-19 crisis, see my firm’s comprehensive guide.
