Mayor Johnson Announces London-based Tech Company To Open U.S.

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Pirkx, a London-based online benefits platform, has chosen Chicago for its U.S. headquarters and expects to launch in early 2025.

The Friday announcement came as part of Mayor Brandon Johnson's trip to London this week, where he's promoting Chicago as a tourism and business destination. Johnson is traveling with leaders from World Business Chicago and Choose Chicago, and the delegation aims to attract more international investment, particularly in sectors such as health care, climate, financial and insurance technology.

The United Kingdom is Chicago's largest foreign direct investment partner, with more than 250 U.K.-based companies in the city. In 2023, trade between Chicago and the U.K. topped $7.68 billion, making the U.K. Chicago's fourth-largest trade partner, according to a news release.

The company plans to open in Chicago with three employees and expand to 50 in the next few years. It's evaluating three potential office locations in the city.

"We are in the business of promoting Chicago to the world," Kyle Schulz, chief growth officer of World Business Chicago, said in a statement. He said Pirkx's announcement "strengthens Chicago's position as a global city where businesses thrive, and innovation grows."

The companies included Quad Communities Development Corp.; Girls Inc. of Chicago; Chicago Sinfonietta; Back of the Yards Coffee; Here Here Market; VietFive Coffee; Chicago Midwest Made; Precision Human Performance; Print Lounge; Infinity Partners and Koko's Music Room.