Chuck Templeton is an American Internet entrepreneur, best known as the founder and former CEO of OpenTable, which went public in May 2009[1] and was acquired by The Priceline Group in June 2014.[2] He is currently a Managing Director of S2G Ventures (Seed to Growth), an investment fund focused on healthy food and sustainable agriculture,[3] Investment Committee Member at Impact Engine, a Chicago-based social and environmental impact investment fund, and serves on the boards of several other Internet start-ups.[4]

Chuck Templeton
Chuck Templeton photo
Born (1968-04-03) April 3, 1968 (age 56)
Alma materCalifornia Polytechnic State University
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Occupation(s)Founder and former CEO of OpenTable
Co-Managing Director of the S2G Ventures fund
Investment Committee Member at Impact Engine
Years active1998–present
Spouse
Julie Templeton
(m. 1998)

Education and early life edit

Originally from Lafayette, California, Templeton started his career as a United States Army Ranger.[5] He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics from California Polytechnic State University and a Master of Business Administration (Class of 2006) from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.[6]

Career edit

OpenTable edit

The idea for OpenTable developed in 1998 when Templeton’s in-laws came to town for a visit. Templeton's father-in-law is Lettuce Entertain You founding partner Bob Wattel, and the dining selections for the Wattels' visit were so important that Templeton recalled his wife spending 3 1/2 hours on the phone trying to secure reservations.[7]

GrubHub edit

Templeton was the founding Chairman and served as an advisor for GrubHub, now GrubHub Seamless,[8] which went public in April of 2014.[9]

OhSoWe.com edit

In 2004, Templeton co-founded OhSoWe.com, a site that allowed neighbors to trade or rent items like tools or sporting equipment among each other.[7]

Getable edit

Former Board Member of Getable, Inc.[10] which simplifies the process of renting construction equipment.[11]

Impact Engine edit

Templeton is an Investment Committee Member at Impact Engine,[12] a venture capital and private equity firm investing in companies driving positive impact in economic empowerment, education, environmental sustainability, and health.

Juhl Energy, Inc. edit

Templeton has been a board member of Juhl Energy, Inc. since April 9, 2014.[8] The company services a wide variety of wind projects and renewable energy developments.[13]

Piece & Co., Inc. edit

Former Board Member of Piece & Co., Inc.,[14] which promoted sustainable employment for women in developing countries through the sale of handmade fabrics to high end designers.[15]

ThinkCERCA, Inc. edit

Former Board Member of ThinkCERCA, Inc.,[16] a literacy and critical thinking software company.[17]

S2G Ventures edit

In 2015, Templeton co-founded and currently (as of January 2016) serves as co-Managing Director of the S2G Ventures (Seed to Growth) venture fund. The fund focuses on “soil to shelf” businesses within food and agriculture, including companies that deliver locally produced, nutritious, organic foods.[18]

Honors and recognition edit

  • Crain’s Tech 50 2015[4]
  • Built In Chicago startup hub's Moxie Mentor of the Year 2014[19]
  • 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee - Distinguished Restaurants of North America[20]
  • Crain’s Tech 50 2013[21]
  • Moxie Mentor of the Year 2013[22]
  • Crain’s Tech 50 2012[23]
  • The Executives Club of Chicago Innovation Award to Impact Engine 2013[24]
  • 2011 Alumni Entrepreneur Innovator Award from the Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice[25]

Personal life edit

Templeton is married to Julie Templeton and together they have two daughters Kendall and Josie Templeton.[26] Templeton is committed to preventing climate change, and is an avid runner.[27]

References edit

  1. ^ "OpenTable - The hottest spot in town". Fortune.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  2. ^ "A Tasty Innovation Mashup: Why Priceline Bought Open Table". Forbes.com. August 26, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  3. ^ "The big money of changing food and agriculture tech". chicagotribune.com. November 4, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Crain's Top 50". Crain's Chicago Business. July 20, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  5. ^ "Neighborliness is latest venture for OpenTable founder Templeton". Crain's Chicago Business. February 4, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Solving the dining-out dilemma". kellogg.northwestern.edu. October 7, 2009. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ^ a b "New website helps neighbors share stuff, be green". chicagotribune.com. May 26, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Juhl Energy Inc - Executive Profile". bloomberg.com. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "As Investors Feast On GrubHub's IPO, Its CEO Explains The Future For Seamless And Its Other Brands". forbes.com. April 4, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  10. ^ "Netflix co-founder can't escape the rental industry, joins Getable's board". venturebeat.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  11. ^ "Getable Gets $5 Million To Help Contractors Rent Construction Equipment From An iPad". venturebeat.com. February 15, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  12. ^ "Impact Engine closes its accelerator and a $10 million impact fund". June 29, 2016.
  13. ^ "Juhl Energy, Inc. Company Information". The New York Times. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  14. ^ "People". tech.co. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  15. ^ "Nordstrom and Piece & Co. collection teams luxury and hope". Los Angeles Times. March 14, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  16. ^ "Q&A with Abby Ross, COO and Co-founder of ThinkCERCA". edtechtimes.com. September 25, 2014. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  17. ^ "ThinkCerca raises $3.2 million, enters Follett partnership, will hire". chicagotribune.com. March 12, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  18. ^ "New Food and Agriculture Fund S2G Ventures Launches With $125 Million". wsj.com. October 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  19. ^ "And the 2014 Moxie Awards go to…". builtinchicago.org. June 21, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  20. ^ "Bourbon & Beyond 2014 Conference Gala Dinner". kentuckymonthly.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  21. ^ "Crain's Tech50 2013". chicagobusines.com. June 21, 2014. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "Moxie Mentor of the Year". builtinchicago.org. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  23. ^ "Meet Chicago's Tech50". chicagobusines.com. September 22, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  24. ^ "Innovator of the year - 2013". executivesclub.org. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  25. ^ "2011 Kellogg Alumni Entrepreneur Conference". kellogg.northwestern.edu. July 21, 2011. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  26. ^ "Impact Engine's Templeton taking year-long sabbatical". chicagobusiness.com. June 3, 2014. Archived from the original on November 6, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  27. ^ "Three entrepreneurs, three global adventures". chicagobusiness.com. September 27, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2016.

External links edit