In a virtual event connecting London and Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson and World Business Chicago announced that Pirkx, a leading London-based insurtech company focused on providing affordable and accessible well-being benefits, has selected Chicago as its U.S. headquarters. The event featured Mayor Johnson, Pirkx founder and CEO Stella Smith, and other officials at Pirkx’s London office in Covent Garden. Meanwhile, a group of World Business Chicago representatives and 10 local small business owners gathered at the Quad Cities Development Corporation in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. In a move showcasing Pirkx’s dedication to empowering small businesses, each of the 10 businesses received a complimentary membership to the Pirkx platform. Globally, 90 percent of the 3.2 billion workers lack access to workplace well-being benefits, leaving billions without crucial support – especially workers that are part of small businesses and minority communities. Pirkx’s platform bridges this gap by offering more than 40 benefits that span health, wealth, and education, including on-demand GP services, mental health support, financial tools, and skills training, all via a flexible, self-service technology platform. As Pirkx establishes its U.S. headquarters in Chicago, the company is expected to expand to 50 employees in the next few years. With its innovative well-being platform, Pirkx is poised to scale rapidly across the U.S., bringing much-needed support to millions of American workers. The announcement was part of a strategic business development trip led by Mayor Johnson and World Business Chicago, aimed at strengthening global ties, fostering international partnerships, and generating new economic growth opportunities for the city.