Gov. Pritzker Celebrates tastytrade’s Continued Investment in Illinois
Expanded office space and $600,000 charitable commitment cements locally founded company’s Chicago ties
April 9, 2024
CHICAGO- Today Governor JB Pritzker joined executives and employees from online brokerage company tastytrade to celebrate the opening of their new, expanded Fulton Market headquarters. The Governor was also joined by representatives from the Greenwood Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to giving underserved college students the tools to start financial careers. Tastytrade is making a $600,000 donation to Greenwood Project as part of their ongoing commitment to Chicago.
“Tastytrade is a model of how fostering innovation plants seeds in a community and spurs economic and philanthropic development for years to come,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Their commitment to Chicago through this philanthropic contribution and through their expanded office space shows that Illinois continues to be a serious player for businesses looking to expand and grow.”
Tastytrade, which was founded and created in Chicago, began as a startup and later sold for $1 billion to the IG Group, qualifying it as a “unicorn” startup. The new office space in Fulton Market covers 35,000 square feet and includes a live broadcast studio for production of financial market content. Governor Pritzker has advocated for startups in Illinois, establishing the Angel Investor Tax Credit. In 2021, all $10 million in Angel Investor credits were utilized, allowing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to leverage more than $40 million in private investments for innovative, early-stage businesses across Illinois.
Greenwood Project is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization that creates career pathways for Black and Latino students in the financial services industry where they have long been underserved and overlooked. The name “Greenwood” references the neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma that was known as “Black Wall Street” before it was destroyed in the 1921 Tulsa race massacre. Greenwood Project partners with finance companies, including tastytrade to provide coaching, recruitment, and educational opportunities for college students interested in entering the field.
“Tastytrade's investment in Illinois will create economic opportunities for generations to come," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Through their dedication to supporting and providing access to career pathways, tastytrade is a prime example of a business choosing to expand in Illinois and investing in the State’s people while doing so.”
"Tastytrade is the perfect example of a company that is operating as part of a community and not just in it," said Rep. Jawaharial Williams (D-Chicago). "We thank tastytrade for its very generous donation to the Greenwood Project and its support of initiatives to diversify the financial services sector.”
“With the expansion of tastytrade in the Fulton Market community, Chicago residents will see new opportunities to continue their careers and lives in Illinois,” said State Senator Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago). “Alongside their expansion is an exciting investment in the Greenwood Project, an excellent organization connecting students with opportunities that put them on a path toward meaningful and sustainable careers. I am excited to see these investments in our communities and look forward to the new job opportunities available to Illinois residents.”
“We’re excited to double down on our commitment to Chicago. At IG North America, we believe opportunity can drive positive change,” said CEO of IG North America and President of tastytrade JJ Kinahan. “By partnering with Greenwood Project, we are not only investing in the future of talented Black and Latino students but also contributing to a more diverse and inclusive financial services industry.”
“We are thrilled to have tastytrade join us in our mission to empower the next generation of leaders in finance. This investment enables us to expand our reach, increase our scale, and provide even more tailored support to our scholars as they embark on their journey towards successful careers in financial services,” said Greenwood Project CEO, Kwesi Smith.
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