Chuck Templeton
American Internet entrepreneur (born 1968)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chuck Templeton is an American entrepreneur and the founder of OpenTable, where he previously was CEO.[1] He is a managing partner at S2G Investments, focusing on investments in food, agriculture, oceans, and energy.[2] He is on the advisory board of Impact Engine and is involved with several startup boards.[3]
Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management
Founder and former CEO of OpenTable
Investment Committee Member at Impact Engine
Chuck Templeton | |
|---|---|
| Alma mater | California Polytechnic State University Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management |
| Occupations | Managing Partner at S2G Founder and former CEO of OpenTable Investment Committee Member at Impact Engine |
Education and early life
Templeton, originally from Lafayette, California, started his career as a United States Army Ranger.[4] He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Economics from California Polytechnic State University and a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.[5]
Career
OpenTable
Templeton is the founder of OpenTable, an online restaurant-reservation service.[6] The idea for OpenTable developed in 1998 when Templeton’s in-laws came to town for a visit. Templeton's father-in-law is Lettuce Entertain You founding partner Bob Wattel, and the dining selections for the Wattels' visit were so important that Templeton recalled his wife spending 3 1/2 hours on the phone trying to secure reservations.[7][6]
GrubHub
Templeton was the founding chairman and an advisor for GrubHub, now GrubHub Seamless,[8] which went public in April of 2014.[9]
OhSoWe.com
In 2004, Templeton co-founded OhSoWe.com, a site that allowed neighbors to trade or rent items like tools or sporting equipment among each other.[7]
Impact Engine
Templeton is an investment committee member at Impact Engine.[10]
S2G Investments
In 2014, Templeton co-founded S2G Investments, a multi-stage investment firm focused on venture and growth-stage businesses across food & agriculture, oceans, and energy.[11]
Board memberships
Templeton has been a board member of Juhl Energy, Inc. since April 2014.[8][12]
He was a board member of Piece & Co., Inc.,[13] which promoted sustainable employment for women in developing countries through the sale of handmade fabrics to high end designers.[14] He was a board member of ThinkCERCA, Inc.,[15] a literacy and critical thinking software company.[16] He was a board member of Getable, Inc.[17][18]
Honors and recognition
- Forbes Sustainability Leaders 2024[19]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2015[3]
- Built In Chicago startup hub's Moxie Mentor of the Year 2014[20]
- 2014 Hall of Fame Inductee - Distinguished Restaurants of North America[21]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2013[22]
- Moxie Mentor of the Year 2013[23]
- Crain’s Tech 50 2012[24]
- The Executives Club of Chicago Innovation Award to Impact Engine 2013[25]
- 2011 Alumni Entrepreneur Innovator Award from the Larry and Carol Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice[26]