Jellyvision


The Jellyvision Lab, Inc., doing business as Jellyvision, is an American software company based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Harry Nathan Gottlieb in 2001, the Jellyvision Lab was established after the closure of Jellyvision Games, transitioning from video game development to business software. The company is best known for developing ALEX, a tool that helps employees pick their health insurance and other benefits. Many of Jellyvision's products are inspired by the You Don't Know Jack series of games, developed by its predecessor and now-sibling company, Jackbox Games.

History

The original Jellyvision was founded in 1989 as an educational media company, later pivoting to develop video games. Founder Harry Nathan Gottlieb created the CD-ROM game You Don't Know Jack in 1995, which became a massive success and established a franchise of YDKJ titles from 1995 to 1998. Facing a major shift in the computer game market, as players moved from personal computers to home consoles, Jellyvision shuttered in 2001.
Later that year, Gottlieb launched a new company called the Jellyvision Lab, with a focus on developing business software inspired by YDKJ's voice-driven interface. This proprietary "interactive conversation interface" would simulate a one-on-one chat with a real person. Some of the Jellyvision Lab's earliest clients for interactive conversations came about because they were fans of the You Don't Know Jack series. In 2009, Jellyvision developed the first version of ALEX, an interactive conversation that helps employees choose their benefits and provides other forms of decision support. The success of ALEX spurred Jellyvision's growth, and as of 2019 is the company's primary business focus.
In 2008, the original Jellyvision Games was re-launched as a subsidiary of the Jellyvision Lab. It spun off into its own company in 2011, and re-branded as Jackbox Games in 2013.

Awards

2014