Early Life and Education
Bradley A. Keywell was born and raised in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He attended Cranbrook Schools and later studied at the London School of Economics in 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan in 1991 and a Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School in 1993. Keywell's entrepreneurial journey began early; he started a greeting card company, Key Creations, at the age of 7.
Rise to Success
Keywell's career is marked by co-founding and leading several successful companies. He co-founded Groupon in 2008, which quickly became one of the fastest-growing companies in history. He also co-founded Echo Global Logistics, which had an IPO on NASDAQ in 2009, and Uptake Technologies, an industrial AI software company valued at over $2.3 billion. Uptake was named the "Hottest Startup" by Forbes in 2015. Keywell was the founding CEO, then Chairman of the Board and lead independent director until 2017. Keywell's venture capital firm, Lightbank, has invested in successful companies.
Key Business Strategies
Keywell's success stems from a combination of innovative thinking, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to building and scaling businesses. His ability to identify market opportunities, assemble talented teams, and secure funding has been crucial. A key strategy involved recognizing emerging trends and disrupting traditional industries. He also focuses on creating a company culture that values innovation, entrepreneurship, and giving back.
Philanthropy
Keywell is dedicated to philanthropy, signing The Giving Pledge in 2015 to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. He founded the Keywell Foundation in 2014 to support nonprofit and NGO enterprises. He is the Chairman of Chicago Ideas, an innovation and ideas platform. Keywell's philanthropic efforts extend to education, as he is the Chairman of the Future Founders Foundation, which provides entrepreneurial education.
