Eric Lefkofsky

After graduating from law school in 1993, Lefkofsky and a college friend, Brad Keywell, borrowed money from relatives to buy Brandon Apparel, a clothing company in Madison, Wisconsin. In 1999, they created an Internet company, Starbelly, that specialized in promotional products. In January 2000, Lefkofsky and Keywell sold the firm to Halo Industries. Lefkofsky joined Halo as chief operating officer.

In the fall of 2001, Lefkofsky co-founded InnerWorkings, a firm providing print procurement services for mid-sized companies. In August 2006, the company went public with an initial public offering. Lefkofsky was on its board of directors until October 2012.

In February 2005, Lefkofsky co-founded a freight logistics company, Echo Global Logistics. It attracted financing from New Enterprise Associates and went public on the Nasdaq under the symbol 'ECHO' in June 2006.

In June 2006, Lefkofsky co-founded MediaBank, a company providing technology for advertising buyers. In June 2007, the firm acquired Datatech, a media planning and procurement platform. In July 2007, New Enterprise Associates invested in MediaBank. In 2012, a merger between MediaBank and Donovan Data Systems created Mediaocean in a deal estimated at $1.5 billion.

In January 2007, Lefkofsky provided $1 million in funding for ThePoint.com, a collective action website started by ex-InnerWorkings employee Andrew Mason. New Enterprise Associates led an early-stage investment round. In late 2008, the site changed its name to Groupon.com. In October 2009, Groupon raised $30 million from Accel Partners and New Enterprise Associates. In April 2010, Digital Sky Technology and Battery Ventures invested $135 million in Groupon at a valuation of $1.35 billion.

In December 2010, Google offered a reported $6 billion for Groupon. The offer was turned down, possibly due to anti-trust and regulatory scrutiny the deal might face. In October 2011, Groupon raised $950 million in private funding and then paid $810 million to employees and investors. Lefkofsky and his family were paid $398 million. In August 2013, Lefkofsky became CEO of Groupon; in November 2016, he stepped down as CEO, resuming his role as Chairman.

In July 2014, Lefkofsky was an early investor in Uptake Technologies, a predictive analytics company. In 2015, Lefkofsky founded Tempus AI, a technology company that enables physicians to deliver personalized care, and serves as its CEO. Tempus went public on June 14, 2024. It is one of six technology companies founded by Lefkofsky to achieve unicorn status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion.

In 1997, Lefkofsky married Elizabeth (née Kramer). They have three children, including singer-songwriter Stella Lefty.

In 2006, Lefkofsky and his wife, Liz, formed a private charitable trust, The Lefkofsky Family Foundation. Its purpose is to advance high-impact initiatives that enhance the quality of human life in the communities they serve. The foundation has helped fund more than 50 organizations to date.

In 2013, Lefkofsky and his wife joined The Giving Pledge.