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Brad Keywell

Brad Keywell is an entrepreneur, , , , , and philanthropist best known for co-founding the e-commerce platform in 2008 and founding the company Uptake Technologies in 2014, which achieved a $2 billion valuation within four years. Born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Keywell attended Cranbrook Schools, where he started his first business at age seven, and later studied at the London School of Economics in 1990 before earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors from the University of Michigan in 1991 and a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993. His early entrepreneurial ventures evolved into a career focused on technology-driven disruption, leading him to co-found or found at least nine companies, including Echo Global Logistics (NASDAQ: ECHO) in 2005, MediaOcean in 2003, DRIVIN (acquired by KAR Auction Services in 2017), and the venture capital firm Lightbank in 2010. Keywell has also launched cultural and innovative initiatives such as Chicago Ideas in 2010, which hosts annual events featuring over 500 speakers and attracting more than 30,000 attendees, and WNDR Museum in 2019, an immersive art and technology experience with three U.S. locations as of 2025, recognized twice by USA Today as a top immersive museum. In addition to his business endeavors, Keywell serves as executive chairman of Uptake Technologies and founder and CEO of Gigawatt AI, and holds board positions, including at TKO Group Holdings and as an early investor and former board member of Tempus AI. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Michigan's Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurship, where he teaches on innovation and startups, and has authored books on entrepreneurship, including Biz Dev 3.0 and The Rules of Mentorship (2025). His investment portfolio through Lightbank and personal ventures includes notable companies like Sprout Social, Udemy, Fiverr, and Square. Keywell's contributions have earned him prestigious recognitions, such as the World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, the Distinguished Entrepreneur Award in 2000, and being named a Top Ten Collegiate Entrepreneur in 1991. As a philanthropist, he serves as a trustee for and the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation, supports Warrior Productions for wounded veterans, and is a former chairman of the (YPO). Based in , , Keywell continues to influence , , and through his multifaceted career.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Bradley A. Keywell was born in October 1969 in the area of and was raised in the affluent suburb of Bloomfield Hills. He attended in Bloomfield Hills, graduating in 1987. He grew up in a family where his father worked as a and his mother had been a schoolteacher before becoming a homemaker. This household environment exposed Keywell to discussions on business and professional life from an early age, fostering his initial curiosity about entrepreneurship amid the industrial and economic landscape of during the 1970s and 1980s. Keywell's formative experiences began in childhood when he launched his first venture at the age of six, designing and selling handmade greeting cards door-to-door in his neighborhood under the name Key Creations for $1 each. This early endeavor ignited his passion for salesmanship and , as he learned the basics of creating value and interacting with customers. Throughout his childhood, Keywell started several other small businesses, honing skills in recognition and execution that would shape his future pursuits. These childhood activities in Bloomfield Hills provided Keywell with practical lessons in creativity and risk-taking, setting the stage for his transition to formal education and beyond.

Education

Keywell attended the , where he earned a with honors from the School of Business Administration in 1991. He continued his studies at the same institution, obtaining a cum laude from the in 1993. During his undergraduate years, Keywell participated in a summer study abroad program at the London School of Economics in 1990, which exposed him to global perspectives on and economics. Keywell's academic focus at the emphasized , , and coursework. He was notably influenced by Fred Kiesner, who taught entrepreneurship classes in the late and served as a mentor, introducing Keywell to key figures in the field. While specific student organizations are not extensively documented, Keywell engaged in entrepreneurial activities during his university years, aligning with his interest in innovation and business development.

Business Career

Early Ventures

Following his graduation from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993, Brad Keywell partnered with his longtime friend and fellow alumnus Eric Lefkofsky to launch their first business endeavor, bypassing traditional entry-level roles in favor of direct entrepreneurship. In 1994, the duo borrowed funds from relatives to acquire Brandon Apparel Group, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of licensed children's athletic apparel, such as Michael Jordan jerseys. The company initially expanded rapidly, growing annual revenue from $2 million to $20 million within a few years through aggressive scaling. However, Brandon Apparel encountered severe financial difficulties due to excessive leveraging and mounting debt, ultimately collapsing under its obligations. The failure resulted in a bank takeover by Johnson Bank, which secured an $11 million against Keywell and Lefkofsky, along with additional lawsuits from the former owner, licensing entities like and MLB Properties, and local authorities after the plant closure in . This early setback highlighted the risks of overextension in leveraged buyouts during the mid-1990s economic climate. Undeterred, Keywell and Lefkofsky pivoted to the burgeoning sector, co-founding Starbelly.com in March 1999 as a platform for promotional products, including customized T-shirts and coffee mugs. Despite reporting a $2.5 million loss on just $183,000 in revenue, the company raised $8 million in venture funding at a $32 million valuation amid dot-com enthusiasm. In January 2000, only 13 months after launch and before fully operationalizing its platform, Starbelly was acquired by Ha-Lo Industries for $240 million primarily in stock. The acquisition proved short-lived, as Ha-Lo suffered a $64 million loss tied to the deal and filed for in July 2001, prompting Keywell and Lefkofsky to resign amid shareholder scrutiny. Subsequent class-action lawsuits accused the founders of misleading practices, underscoring the perils of rapid scaling in the volatile . These experiences in Brandon and Starbelly, characterized by financial overreach and market hype, instilled in Keywell a deepened appreciation for prudent and thorough in early-stage ventures.

Major Companies and Investments

In 2008, Brad Keywell co-founded alongside and , evolving it from Mason's earlier social activism platform, , into a global marketplace for daily deals and discounts. Keywell played a pivotal role in ideation and funding, leveraging his entrepreneurial expertise to drive the company's rapid expansion from a Chicago-based startup to an international operation with millions of subscribers. By 2011, achieved a billion-dollar valuation and went public via an IPO on the , raising $700 million and solidifying Keywell's status as a key architect of its early success. Keywell's partnership with Lefkofsky, established through prior ventures, extended to several high-profile companies in the mid-2000s. In 2005, they co-founded Echo Global Logistics, a technology-driven freight management platform that streamlined shipping for businesses, leading to an IPO in 2009 that raised approximately $80 million. The company grew significantly, eventually acquired in 2021 by for $1.3 billion. In 2006, Keywell co-founded MediaBank (later rebranded as after a 2012 merger with Data Systems), a software-as-a-service provider for and media that automated buying processes across channels. became a leading platform in the ad tech space, processing over $200 billion in annual media transactions, and was acquired by in 2015. Keywell also co-founded DRIVIN in 2015, an automobile data analytics firm that provided tools for used-car dealers to source, price, and manage inventory through AI-driven insights. The company was acquired in 2017 by KAR Auction Services for $43 million, enhancing KAR's remarketing capabilities. In 2010, Keywell co-founded Lightbank, a Chicago-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in startups, particularly in the Midwest. As a managing partner until 2018, he oversaw investments in companies like Sprout Social and BenchPrep, contributing to Lightbank's portfolio of over 100 startups and emphasizing scalable software solutions. Keywell founded Technologies in 2014 as an industrial platform that analyzes data to predict equipment failures and optimize operations in sectors like and . Serving as CEO initially, he led the company to a $2.3 billion valuation by 2017 through funding rounds totaling over $250 million, before transitioning to executive chairman to focus on strategic growth.

Recent Roles and Investments

In October 2021, Brad Keywell transitioned from his role as CEO of , an industrial company he co-founded, to Executive Chairman of the Board, with Kayne Grau succeeding him as CEO to focus on operational expansion and strategic growth. This shift built on Uptake's established -driven analytics platform for asset performance management. Keywell has continued in his executive chairman capacity, guiding the company's direction in industrial intelligence. In January 2024, Keywell joined the Board of Directors of , Inc., the premium sports and entertainment company that owns and UFC, expanding the board from 11 to 13 members. His appointment leverages his expertise in technology and , drawn from founding ventures like Technologies. Keywell is a founding investor in Tempus AI, a Chicago-based leader in AI-enabled precision medicine that leverages clinical and molecular data for healthcare insights. In January 2025, as a significant shareholder holding over 15 million shares indirectly through BK TL21 LLC, he sold 946,084 shares of Tempus AI Class A across three transactions from January 15 to 17, at prices ranging from $34.82 to $36.04 per share, for a total value of approximately $33.1 million. As of the 2025 Forbes Billionaires list, Keywell ranked #2356 with an estimated derived from software and investments.

Academic and Creative Pursuits

Teaching

Brad Keywell served as an of at the Booth School of Business since the early . In this role, he co-taught the course "Building Internet Startups" alongside fellow co-founder in the early , providing students with practical insights into the strategic decisions involved in launching and scaling technology ventures. The class emphasized themes of , reward, and , drawing from Keywell's experiences in tech to offer real-world perspectives on . Keywell contributed to at Booth by integrating elements into , such as case studies on startup scaling and innovation challenges. Beyond Booth, he delivered guest lectures at institutions like the of Michigan's Zell for Entrepreneurial Studies, including a at the 2011 Entrepalooza event focused on entrepreneurial innovation. These sessions highlighted practical strategies for navigating early-stage business growth, often incorporating interactive discussions on market entry and funding. In terms of mentorship, Keywell advised university programs, including advisory roles at Booth's Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, where he supported student-led initiatives in incubators and venture challenges. His involvement extended to guiding participants in the New Venture Challenge, fostering hands-on support for emerging founders. Keywell's teaching had measurable impact on alumni, with students applying course concepts to achieve notable successes; for instance, Jeff Nelson (Booth MBA '14) credited the "Building Startups" class with informing key strategic decisions that scaled the nonprofit OneGoal, which supports low-income students in pursuing and has expanded to serve thousands annually. His contributions also influenced program expansions, such as enhanced experiential components in Booth's that prepare graduates for industry roles.

Writing and Authorship

Brad Keywell is the author of Biz Dev 3.0: Changing Business as We Know It, published in 2001 by ALM Media. The book outlines strategies for in the digital age, focusing on partnerships and alliances to accelerate growth amid technological disruption. Keywell provides entrepreneurial tactics through checklists and toolkits for identifying complementary partners, negotiating deals, and building innovation pipelines to adapt traditional companies to internet-era dynamics. In 2009, Keywell co-authored the children's book Isabelle Speaks Up: A Story of Possibilities with his daughter Chloe Keywell and illustrator Kimberly Stace, published by Independent Publishing Platform. The narrative centers on a young girl who overcomes to voice her ideas, emphasizing themes of empowerment, curiosity, and the pursuit of new adventures through self-expression. Drawing personal inspiration from family life, the book aims to inspire children to harness their and . Keywell has contributed articles to business publications, including a 2022 piece in magazine arguing that AI disrupts markets by augmenting human ingenuity and creating jobs rather than displacing them. He has also written on startups and in his personal blog, exploring alternative funding models like individual-backed investments. Additionally, Keywell authored Sunday Thoughts (2018), a compilation of weekly emails to his team sharing reflections on leadership, innovation, and personal growth. His publications have garnered modest reception; Biz Dev 3.0 holds a 3.6 out of 5 rating on based on limited reviews praising its practical advice for entrepreneurs.

Art and Museum Ventures

In , Brad Keywell founded WNDR Museum in 's West Loop as an venue emphasizing digital and immersive installations that encourage visitor participation. The museum reimagines traditional art experiences through multisensory exhibits featuring artists like , with installations such as her "Infinity Mirror Room" adapted for three-story heights in the Chicago atrium. WNDR's core offerings include touch-activated screens, video projections, and collaborative pieces that blend physical and digital elements to create dynamic, shareable encounters. Keywell's vision for WNDR centers on fusing with to ignite , , and "disruptive thinking," transforming the into a "playground of possibility" where visitors actively co-create meaning. He emphasizes , stating that the space aims to "reflect the joy of wonder itself" by challenging conventional boundaries between observer and artwork. This philosophy draws from technology-infused curation to foster iconoclastic action, encouraging guests to question and engage intuitively with evolving installations. As creator and curator, Keywell has contributed his own technology-infused exhibit, "We Are All (If Only We Knew?)," debuted in 2020 across WNDR locations, which invites visitors to redefine through interactive and reflective prompts on authorship and . The piece employs digital elements like projected questions—"Who determines the meaning of ''? Who decides who is an ''?"—to democratize creativity and highlight personal expression in a tech-mediated context. Keywell's curations often prioritize emerging digital , integrating and visitor-generated content to evolve exhibits dynamically. WNDR has expanded nationally since its Chicago launch, opening in in 2023 (which closed on September 1, 2025) and in 2024, with plans for additional sites featuring localized adaptations of core installations. The museum has drawn millions of visitors, earning recognition as one of Today's "10Best Immersive Experiences" in both 2021 and 2022 for its impact on audience engagement and innovation in art presentation. Key exhibits like the Kusama atrium have amplified visitor immersion, with reports noting heightened sharing and collaborative participation as measures of its cultural resonance.

Philanthropy

Key Foundations and Initiatives

In 2011, Brad Keywell co-founded Chicago Ideas, a nonprofit platform designed to foster innovation and connectivity by hosting an annual weeklong festival that brings together leaders from business, technology, science, arts, and society to share bold ideas and inspire action. The inaugural Chicago Ideas Week, held in October 2011, featured over 100 events with speakers including former U.S. President Bill Clinton, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, drawing more than 20,000 attendees and generating widespread media coverage. Since its launch, the event has evolved into one of the world's largest gatherings of its kind, attracting over 30,000 participants annually through seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities that emphasize collaborative problem-solving on global challenges like sustainability and social equity. Keywell serves as the founder and chairman, with the platform's impact extending beyond the festival through year-round digital content and community programs that have engaged hundreds of thousands in idea-driven dialogues. Keywell established the Keywell Foundation in 2011 to advance causes in , arts, and by providing financial support to nonprofit organizations and initiatives that promote and . The foundation focuses on granting funds to programs that empower underserved populations, including those enhancing entrepreneurial skills among and supporting artistic endeavors in . Notable grants have included contributions to educational and startup acceleration efforts, such as backing for workshops and fellowships that have helped launch or scale dozens of early-stage . A key initiative under Keywell's philanthropic umbrella is the Future Founders Foundation, which he co-founded in 2011 with the to deliver entrepreneurial education to students in underserved communities. The organization offers programs like high school internships, startup bootcamps, and a national fellowship for young adults aged 18-30, providing mentorship, skill-building resources, and equity-free funding to help participants develop business ideas into viable enterprises. Pre-2015 efforts concentrated on inner-city public schools, immersing thousands of students in hands-on experiences such as the "Be Your Own Boss" internship, which has awarded scholarships and supported thousands of youth in building entrepreneurial mindsets. The Keywell Foundation has since provided ongoing grants to Future Founders, enabling the expansion of these programs and contributing to measurable outcomes like the successful funding of more than 50 student-led projects through bootcamps.

The Giving Pledge and Commitments

In 2015, Brad Keywell and his wife, Kim, jointly signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes during their lifetimes or in their wills. The pledge, initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, represents a public affirmation of philanthropic intent among the world's wealthiest individuals. In his accompanying letter, Keywell reflected on the moral imperative of giving, drawing from ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Seneca to describe a "good life" as one driven by purpose, empathy, and service to others, viewing charitable acts as a privilege born from entrepreneurial success rather than an obligation. Keywell's pledge letter emphasizes a of effective giving as a choice that creates positive societal ripples, aligned with long-term impact through and , though it does not specify programmatic priorities. This approach underscores his belief in as a tool for broader good, extending his business ethos to philanthropy. Post-pledge, Keywell and Kim channeled resources through the Keywell Foundation, established in 2011, supporting disruptive social entrepreneurs and innovative nonprofits; by 2018, they had donated over $30 million via the foundation and direct gifts. While specific large-scale endowments tied directly to the pledge remain private, Keywell's ongoing involvement in organizations like Future Founders demonstrates sustained commitment to and as of 2025. The Keywells' joint strategy integrated family values into their giving, with Kim co-founding initiatives alongside Brad's leadership in entrepreneurial and cultural ventures. Following their 2023 divorce, Keywell has continued to uphold the pledge's principles independently, maintaining focus on high-impact philanthropy without reported disruptions to prior commitments.

Awards and Recognition

Entrepreneurship Awards

In 2018, Brad Keywell received the overall EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in the United States, recognizing his leadership in advancing artificial intelligence and technology-driven solutions through Uptake Technologies, a company he founded to apply predictive analytics to industrial challenges. This national honor, the highest in EY's U.S. program, was determined by an independent panel of former winners, CEOs, investors, and business leaders evaluating nominees on criteria such as entrepreneurial spirit, innovation, financial performance, and societal impact. The award highlighted Keywell's serial entrepreneurship, including his co-founding of Groupon, which revolutionized e-commerce, and his role in scaling Uptake to address complex data problems in sectors like manufacturing and transportation. Building on this achievement, Keywell was named the World Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, a global distinction awarded to only one entrepreneur annually from national winners across more than 50 countries. Selected from 57 finalists representing 47 countries and territories, he was honored at a gala ceremony in on June 8, 2019, for his visionary leadership, rapid growth of to a $2 billion valuation in four years, and broader contributions to innovation. The program judges emphasized his purpose-driven approach, including using to solve global issues like equipment failures and , tying directly to Uptake's mission and his earlier success with Groupon's disruptive model. This made Keywell only the third U.S. recipient of the world title since the program's inception in 2000. In 2000, Keywell received the Conrad Hilton Distinguished Entrepreneur Award from , recognizing his early entrepreneurial achievements and contributions to business innovation. During his time at the , Keywell was named one of the Top Ten Collegiate Entrepreneurs in 1991 by the Collegiate , honoring his student-led business ventures and leadership potential. Earlier in his career, Keywell earned the Entrepreneurial Champion Award from the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center in 2011, shared with co-founder , for exemplifying regional leadership in fostering startup ecosystems and driving economic growth through high-impact ventures. Presented at the CEC's Momentum Awards Dinner, the award celebrated entrepreneurs who champion and in the Midwest, with recipients selected based on their tangible contributions to local and for emerging founders. Keywell's recognition stemmed from 's explosive growth, which created thousands of jobs and elevated Chicago's profile as a tech hub, alongside his investments in early-stage companies via Lightbank. Peers honored that year included emerging company finalists like and Ifbyphone, underscoring the award's focus on both established trailblazers and rising talents. These awards collectively affirm Keywell's influence in , particularly through Groupon's breakthrough and Uptake's advancements, which demonstrated scalable and long-term value creation.

Innovation and Community Honors

In 2021, Brad Keywell was inducted into the Innovation Hall of Fame, recognizing his profound impact on the city's technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem through founding multiple ventures and supporting local initiatives. The induction occurred during the Chicago Innovation Foundation's annual IN-Gala, an event celebrating regional leaders who drive and creativity, alongside notable figures such as healthcare innovator Glen Tullman. This honor underscores Keywell's role in cultivating as a hub for tech startups and collaborative networks. Keywell participated in the World Economic Forum's 2020 Annual Meeting in , , as part of Technologies' new status as an official WEF partner, marking the forum's 50th anniversary and focusing on global challenges like industrial transformation through data and AI. His involvement highlighted contributions to sustainable manufacturing and innovation, aligning with broader discussions on the . Keywell's community efforts have earned recognition through platforms like Chicago Ideas, which he founded in 2010 and has grown into one of the world's largest gatherings for innovators, attracting thousands annually to foster cross-sector dialogue and idea exchange. Similarly, the WNDR Museum, curated by Keywell since its 2018 launch, has been named among the top immersive art experiences in the U.S. by readers on two occasions, including #8 in 2025 and #4 in 2022, celebrating its integration of art, technology, and interactive exhibits to inspire public creativity. These accolades emphasize Keywell's dedication to building accessible innovation ecosystems in , bridging technology, arts, and community engagement to amplify local talent and cultural vibrancy.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Brad Keywell was married to Kimberly "Kim" Keywell, with their union predating 2015. Together, they co-founded the Keywell Foundation to support disruptive social entrepreneurs and signed in 2016, committing a majority of their wealth to philanthropy. The couple shares two children, and Keywell has emphasized the role of family in fostering values like curiosity, though he maintains privacy regarding specific details about his children. Keywell and his wife filed for in December 2021, and the couple is now divorced. As of 2025, Keywell is single and continues to prioritize privacy around his family life. His family provided foundational support during key career transitions, including his entrepreneurial ventures in .

Residence and Net Worth

Brad Keywell has resided primarily in , , since the early 2000s, where he has established deep roots through his entrepreneurial and community initiatives. In 2019, he purchased a 15,000-square-foot loft in the West Loop neighborhood at 1140 West Monroe Street for $5.1 million, featuring a distinctive 15-car garage space. This property serves as his primary residence, reflecting his ongoing commitment to the city that has been central to his professional life. Keywell's net worth has fluctuated significantly with market conditions and his business activities. ' 2025 Billionaires list estimates his wealth at $1.4 billion, placing him at #2356. This marks a recovery from $1.1 billion in March 2024, though it remains below the peak of $2.7 billion reached in December 2021 amid high valuations of his investments. The 2025 ranking reflects adjustments due to stock sales and broader market dynamics affecting tech holdings. His fortune primarily derives from successful company exits, such as Groupon's 2011 IPO, and ongoing investments in technology firms. A notable factor in was his sale of Tempus AI shares, including a transaction of approximately $33 million in , which reduced his stake but contributed to amid the company's public trading performance.

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