About
Eddie is the CEO and one of the founders of Shiftgig, the mobile marketplace that connects people with business shifts. An experienced organizational leader with exceptional talent for meshing the right ideas with the right people, Lou is poised for another success story in Shiftgig.
Formerly a general partner with OCA Ventures, Lou invested in ten portfolio companies in software, consumer internet, and business services. As a board director or observer, Lou worked closely with management teams to scale their business, raise capital, and attract talent. Lou continues to be a mentor, coach, angel investor, and board director to high potential entrepreneurs both experienced and first-timers.
Lou is also co-founder and board director of One Goal, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit that improves college acceptance and persistence by empowering urban high school students through a teacher-led 3 year fellowship. In the past few years, One Goal has grown to over 100 staff members and a $10 million annual budget in large part due to the program’s success – 98% of program fellows get accepted to college and 78% are persisting. The program has grown from seven students in one school to 9,300 students in 179 schools across 5 cities.
Previously, he was the founder of PlanetHVAC, a dot.com B2B software and service provider to HVAC companies. Lou started his professional career with the White Rodgers Division of Emerson where he started a manufacturing facility in China as part of the division’s first Asia growth and diversification initiative.
Lou received his M.B.A. in Finance and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in Saint Louis. He was recognized in 2010 as one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 Under 40, in 2011 as Chicago United’s Business Leader of Color, and in 2012 as a Forbes Up and Comer, in 2015 as Techweek100, in 2016 as Crain’s Chicago Business’ Tech 50, and in 2016 as E&Ys Entrepreneur of the Year Midwest finalist.
Videos (3)
Executive Chairman Eddie Lou: Surround Yourself With Great People
Never Rest On Your Laurels
Millennials Find Work Using Shiftgig’s Mobile App
