Chuck Templeton Explained
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 partner at S2G, a multi-stage investment firm focused on venture and growth-stage businesses across food & agriculture, oceans, and energy.[3] He is also an Advisory Board Member at Impact Engine, a Chicago-based social and environmental impact investment fund, and serves on the boards of several other start-ups.[4]
Education and early life
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 from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.[6]
Career
OpenTable
See main article: OpenTable. 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
See main article: GrubHub Seamless. Templeton was the founding chairman and an advisor for GrubHub, now GrubHub Seamless, which went public in April of 2014.[8]
OhSoWe.com
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
Former board member of Getable, Inc.[9] which simplifies the process of renting construction equipment.[10]
Impact Engine
Templeton is an investment committee member at Impact Engine,[11] a venture capital and private equity firm investing in companies driving positive impact in economic empowerment, education, environmental sustainability, and health.
Juhl Energy, Inc.
Templeton has been a board member of Juhl Energy, Inc. since April 9, 2014.[12] The company services a wide variety of wind projects and renewable energy developments.[13]
Piece & Co., Inc.
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.
Former Board Member of ThinkCERCA, Inc.,[16] a literacy and critical thinking software company.[17]
S2G
In 2014, Templeton co-founded S2G, a multi-stage investment firm focused on venture and growth-stage businesses across food & agriculture, oceans, and energy.[18] As of 2024, he serves as a managing partner and co-leads firm.[19]
Honors and recognition
- Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2024[20]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2015[4]
- Built In Chicago startup hub's Moxie Mentor of the Year 2014[21]
- 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee - Distinguished Restaurants of North America[22]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2013[23]
- Moxie Mentor of the Year 2013[24]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2012[25]
- The Executives Club of Chicago Innovation Award to Impact Engine 2013[26]
- 2011 Alumni Entrepreneur Innovator Award from the Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice[27]
Personal life
Templeton is married to Julie Templeton and together they have two daughters.[28] Templeton is committed to preventing climate change, and is an avid runner.[29]
Notes and References
- Web site: OpenTable - The hottest spot in town. Fortune.com . 2009-09-14. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: A Tasty Innovation Mashup: Why Priceline Bought Open Table. Forbes.com . 2014-08-26. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: S2G . 2024-11-21.
- Web site: Crain's Top 50. Crain's Chicago Business . 2015-07-20. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Neighborliness is latest venture for OpenTable founder Templeton. Crain's Chicago Business . 2012-02-04. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Solving the dining-out dilemma. kellogg.northwestern.edu . 2009-10-07. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: New website helps neighbors share stuff, be green. chicagotribune.com . 2011-05-26. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: As Investors Feast On GrubHub's IPO, Its CEO Explains The Future For Seamless And Its Other Brands. forbes.com . 2014-04-04. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Netflix co-founder can't escape the rental industry, joins Getable's board. venturebeat.com . 2012-05-22. 2015-09-22.
- Web site: Getable Gets $5 Million To Help Contractors Rent Construction Equipment From An iPad. venturebeat.com . 2015-02-15. 2015-09-22.
- Web site: Impact Engine closes its accelerator and a $10 million impact fund. June 29, 2016 .
- Web site: Juhl Energy Inc - Executive Profile. bloomberg.com. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Juhl Energy, Inc. Company Information. . 2015-09-17.
- Web site: People. https://web.archive.org/web/20150316144735/http://tech.co/city/chicago/people . dead . March 16, 2015 . tech.co . 2015-09-22.
- Web site: Nordstrom and Piece & Co. collection teams luxury and hope . Los Angeles Times. 2015-03-14 . 2015-09-22.
- Web site: Q&A with Abby Ross, COO and Co-founder of ThinkCERCA. edtechtimes.com. 2014-09-25 . 2015-09-22.
- Web site: ThinkCerca raises $3.2 million, enters Follett partnership, will hire. chicagotribune.com . 2015-03-12. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: New Food and Agriculture Fund S2G Ventures Launches With $125 Million . wsj.com . 2015-10-20 . 2016-01-20.
- Web site: S2G . 2024-11-21.
- Web site: Forbes Sustainability Leaders . forbes.com . 2024-09-23.
- Web site: And the 2014 Moxie Awards go to…. builtinchicago.org . 2014-06-21. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Bourbon & Beyond 2014 Conference Gala Dinner. kentuckymonthly.com. 2016-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202071819/http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/events/bourbon-beyond-conference-gala-dinner/. February 2, 2016. dead.
- Web site: Crain's Tech50 2013. chicagobusines.com. 2014-06-21. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Moxie Mentor of the Year . builtinchicago.org . 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Meet Chicago's Tech50. chicagobusines.com. 2012-09-22. 2015-09-17.
- Web site: Innovator of the year - 2013. executivesclub.org. 2015-09-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20160204181932/http://www.executivesclub.org/EC/Programs/Annual_Awards/Chicago_Innovator_of_the_Year_/EC/Programs_Pages/Innovator_of_the_Year_.aspx?hkey=be936347-649e-4b4f-97d4-c7bf4442004f. February 4, 2016. dead.
- Web site: 2011 Kellogg Alumni Entrepreneur Conference. kellogg.northwestern.edu . 2011-07-21. 2016-01-20.
- Web site: Impact Engine's Templeton taking year-long sabbatical. chicagobusiness.com . 2014-06-03. 2016-01-20. https://archive.today/20221106235514/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120204/ISSUE01/302049969/no-reservations-about-sharing. 2022-11-06.
- Web site: Three entrepreneurs, three global adventures. chicagobusiness.com . 2014-09-27. 2016-01-20.