Early Life and Education
Eric Lefkofsky was born on September 2, 1969, in Southfield, Michigan. He grew up in a Jewish family. His father was a structural engineer, and his mother was a school teacher. Lefkofsky attended Southfield-Lathrup High School and graduated with honors from the University of Michigan in 1991, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education at the University of Michigan Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1993.
Rise to Success
Lefkofsky's entrepreneurial career began shortly after law school. In 1999, he co-founded Starbelly, an internet company specializing in promotional products, which was later sold to Halo Industries. He then co-founded InnerWorkings in the fall of 2001, providing print procurement services. InnerWorkings went public in August 2006. In February 2005, he co-founded Echo Global Logistics, a freight logistics company. His biggest success came in 2008 when he co-founded Groupon with Andrew Mason and Brad Keywell. Groupon quickly became a global e-commerce marketplace. Lefkofsky served as CEO of Groupon for a time. In 2015, Lefkofsky founded Tempus AI, a technology company focused on personalized cancer care, where he currently serves as CEO.
Key Business Strategies
Lefkofsky has demonstrated key business strategies throughout his career. He has shown an ability to identify emerging market trends, as seen with Groupon's success in the daily deals space and Tempus's focus on data-driven healthcare solutions. Furthermore, he often forms strong partnerships and has a knack for securing early-stage funding. His ventures reflect a commitment to leveraging technology to disrupt traditional industries. He co-founded Lightbank, a venture capital firm, illustrating a strategic approach to investing in and supporting innovative companies.
Philanthropy
Lefkofsky and his wife, Liz, established The Lefkofsky Family Foundation in 2006. The foundation supports initiatives that enhance the quality of life in the communities they serve. In 2013, the Lefkofskys joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant portion of their wealth to philanthropic causes.
