Born in Chicago's Pilsen community, George is no stranger to struggle. adapting and overcoming obstacles. In fact. his recent sale of elevate DIGITAL is a testament to great business practice.

George Burciaga has always been committed to improving the way people live by directly influencing purpose. He launched elevate DIGITAL in 2012, a software firm purposed to transform citizen engagement at street-level with its "Citizen Mobility Experience"; a platform connecting devices. processes. data and messaging across SMART Cities. The platform engages users by touch. Wi-Fi, mobility, sensoring , and enables cities to become efficient and sustainable by connecting everyone. Burciaga successfully raised $14 million for elevate and was recently acquired by CIVIQ Smartscapes, the industry and global leader within loT and SMART City technology.

George Burciaga started his career while at DePaul University, where he developed and implemented BIOS correction software with clients like BMO/Nesbitt and licensed the technology to Microsoft. He is also the founder and CEO of smarTECHS.net. a Chicago-based national IT firm specializing in application Development and infrastructure deployments for clients in both private and public sector. This firm played a significant role in the redevelopment of New Orleans after Katrina, the first City of Chicago digital-divide plan (recognized by Washington D.C.) and the participation in the elevate Miami project. Burciaga was honored in Washington D.C. by two U.S. Presidents as a National Technology Business leader and received the Inc. 5000 award.

Recognized locally and nationally as a business leader. Burciaga was inducted into the University of Illinois at Chicago's Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame and Chicago Who's Who in 2014. He was also named the Illinois Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration and he received an annual leader award from the Black Data Processing Associates.

George Burciaga has contributed to Wired Magazine and other publications as a specialist for SMART City technology and loT services. He also served on the City Colleges of Chicago Advisory Council, Elevate Miami Technology Council and was the Chairman for Ordinance, Rules and Regulations Subcommittee for the City of Chicago Business License Council. He was appointed to the Illinois' Economic Recovery Commission, and the State of Illinois Literacy Foundation Board.

An active civic leader, Burciaga has a strong commitment to community service and development. He started the "Follow Me" program, in which he visits Chicago-area high schools and encourages students to attend college. Burciaga also participates in the annual Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's "Future Founders" program. He was also selected to serve as a Chicago United board member, and is a current member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and several other national advisory councils.

Raised by his grandparents in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood and attending Chicago Public Schools. George Burciaga found himself in a position to become innovative by necessity. He is the first college graduate in his family and currently resides in the Chicago area with his wife, Trina, and their three children Sofia, Giana, and Lorenzo.