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Quigley Celebrates “Start-Up Day Across America” With Curiosity and Reverb.com

August 4, 2016

CHICAGO — Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) participated in “Start-Up Day Across America” at Curiosity and Reverb.com, two Chicago-based tech companies, to discuss the importance of high-tech entrepreneurship and ways the government can support the industry. Start-ups support an average of three million jobs annually, playing an important role in economic growth. Start-Up Day Across America connects elected officials with the startups in the communities they represent so that they can learn about the challenges new companies face and meet the business leaders building the future.

“Companies like Curiosity and Reverb.com are remarkable examples of the kinds of exciting innovation happening in Chicago and across America,” said Rep. Quigley. “I am as optimistic as ever about the future of our economy after spending Start-Up Day with such talented and inspirational entrepreneurs. I hope to continue working with local start-ups to find new, creative ways to foster even more small business development and encourage the next generation of business leaders to grow their companies in Chicago.”

"As a digital media company, we depend on the contributions of a diverse and highly creative work force that includes writers, editors, designers, animators, engineers, developers and business development professionals,” said Founder and CEO of Curiosity Gabe Vehovsky. “Chicago is one of very few places where a business like Curiosity can attract world-class talent across multiple sought after disciplines and thrive in a vibrant location that is well served by public transportation. We’re pleased to welcome Congressman Quigley to our office on Start-up Day Across America to discuss the important role young companies like ours play in growing the United States economy.”

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Start Up Day Across America

Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) with Curiosity CEO, Gabe Vehovsky.

“Since Reverb.com launched in 2013, we’ve seen tremendous growth both on our team and on our platform,” said David Kalt, Founder and CEO of Reverb.com. “That growth has produced a ripple effect, positively impacting our employees, the sellers who rely on income from our marketplace and the Chicago neighborhood we call home. We’re excited to welcome Congressman Quigley to Reverb.com for Start-Up Day Across America as we brainstorm ways that lawmakers can support innovation and discuss the stories that illustrate the crucial role that startups play in the economy.”

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Start Up Day Across America

Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) in discussion about the importance of start-ups and their impact with Reverb.com Founder and CEO, David Kalt.

Curiosity is an online education content provider that connects users to web-based courses, classes and tutorials. They currently have 25 full time employees and plans to grow in the future. Curiosity is one of many Chicago-based start-ups creating new jobs and continues to thrive across the city.

Reverb.com is an online marketplace for musicians to buy, sell and learn about music gear and instruments. Since launching in 2013, Reverb.com has grown into the world’s most popular music gear website and currently has over 100 employees in their Ravenswood Office.

Rep. Quigley is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of congressional lawmakers that promotes policies that harness American ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurship to grow our economy. He was a supporter of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act and cosponsored an original part of this legislation that focused on helping businesses raise the capital needed to expand and create jobs. This legislation was signed into law by President Obama in April 2012. Last year, Rep. Quigley celebrated “Start-Up Day Across America” by meeting with entrepreneurs at UrbanBound, a Chicago-based relocation management software company.