Brad Keywell is a lifelong entrepreneur and co-founder of seven technology companies, a venture capital investor, a curator of cultural and innovation platforms, and a philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Uptake Technologies, an Industrial AI software platform harnessing predictive analytics to deliver outcomes of increased productivity, reliability, safety, and cybersecurity to global industry. Uptake was named “Startup of the Year” in 2015 by Forbes, was #5 in the 2017 CNBC Disruptor 50, has been on the Forbes Cloud 100 since its inception, and was named a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. In 2018, Brad was named the Overall Entrepreneur of the Year by EY, the highest honor in the EY Entrepreneur of the Year U.S. award program.
He is the founder and Chairman of Chicago Ideas, which has grown into one of the largest innovation and ideas gatherings in the world. He is the founder and Curator of wndr museum, an immersive art experience integrating both established and emerging artists. He is the Chairman of Future Founders, a non-profit providing entrepreneurship education and practical experience to students in underserved communities throughout Chicagoland.
Brad and his wife, Kim, signed The Giving Pledge in 2016, committing to give the majority of their wealth to charitable causes.
Brad is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He earned a J.D. at the University of Michigan Law School and a BBA from the University of Michigan School of Business.
