Bradley A. Keywell is a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who has made significant contributions to the evolution of tech-driven business, industrial AI solutions, e-commerce, and cultural platforms. He is best known as the founder and executive chairman of Uptake Technologies, an investor in Tempus AI, and a co-founder of Groupon, Echo Global Logistics, Mediaocean, DRIVIN, and Lightbank. Keywell also launched the cultural platform Chicago Ideas and the immersive WNDR Museum. His career is marked by numerous prestigious awards and global recognition within the business community. Learn more at chicago-future.
Biography
Born in October 1969, Bradley A. Keywell grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. After attending Cranbrook Schools, he studied economics at the London School of Economics in 1990. In 1991, Keywell earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, followed by a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993. He is also a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the Illinois State Bar Association.
Keywell’s entrepreneurial journey began in childhood when he started his own greeting card company at age seven. Throughout his academic years, he launched several startups and gained professional experience interning at the investment firm Equity Group Investments under the mentorship of legendary businessman Sam Zell. Zell remained a close mentor for decades. Keywell is married with two children and resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Major Ventures and Success Stories
In 1999, Keywell co-founded Starbelly with Eric Lefkofsky. The online supply chain management company was later sold for $240 million. This success paved the way for several other high-impact tech ventures. One of his standout projects was Echo Global Logistics, which debuted on NASDAQ in 2009. Keywell served as its founding CEO and led the board of directors until 2017.
In 2006, he co-founded MediaBank, which eventually merged with Donovan Data Systems to form Mediaocean—now a premier platform for media planning. Keywell served on its board until the company’s sale.
By 2007, Keywell helped launch Groupon, the collective buying platform that held a massive IPO on Nasdaq in 2011 and was recognized as one of the fastest-growing companies of its era. In 2010, he founded Lightbank, a venture capital firm focusing on tech startups; its portfolio includes success stories like Udemy, Sprout Social, and Coffee Meets Bagel. In 2013, he co-founded the automotive data analytics firm DRIVIN, which was acquired in 2016 for $43 million.
Uptake Technologies and Tempus AI
A central pillar of Keywell’s work is Uptake Technologies, a company that develops AI-driven software for industrial data analysis. Uptake was named Forbes Startup of the Year and has frequently appeared on the CNBC Disruptor 50 list. Its solutions are used to enhance productivity, safety, and equipment reliability across the energy and industrial sectors.
Keywell is also an investor in Tempus AI, a firm utilizing artificial intelligence and big data to pioneer personalized medicine. Tempus has been recognized as a leader in health tech, securing over $1 billion in capital from top-tier investors, including Google and Franklin Templeton.
Cultural Impact and Education
In 2018, Keywell founded the WNDR Museum, an interactive space where art and technology collide. Originally based in Chicago, this unique cultural institution has since expanded to multiple U.S. cities.
He is also the founder and chairman of Chicago Ideas, one of the world’s largest public platforms for idea-sharing, attracting thousands of participants annually for conferences and educational programs. Keywell teaches at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, mentoring future leaders in entrepreneurship and innovation. He has authored several books, including “Isabelle Speaks Up: A Story of Possibilities” (co-authored with his daughter) and “Biz Dev 3.0: Changing Business as We Know It.”
Social Responsibility and Global Recognition
In 2014, Keywell established the Keywell Foundation to support non-profit and community-driven projects. In 2015, he joined The Giving Pledge, committing the majority of his wealth to philanthropic causes. He also founded the Future Founders Foundation, which provides entrepreneurial education to students from underserved communities.
Keywell’s contributions to business and technology have earned him international acclaim. He was named the 2019 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year, following his title as the 2018 EY Overall US Entrepreneur of the Year. He is an inductee of the Chicago Innovation Hall of Fame and was recognized as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum.