Early stage membership
Founding a tech company can feel like uncharted territory. Accelerate your startup with 1871's roadmap, an experience built to guide you towards sustained success.
Early stage membership
Founding a tech company can feel like uncharted territory. Accelerate your startup with 1871's roadmap, an experience built to guide you towards sustained success.
Resources to meet your milestones
If you are turning your idea into a reality, finding your product-market fit, or accelerating your startup, 1871 empowers you to take the right steps at the right time. We deliver solutions that are curated to your unique needs when you need them and wherever you are, including:
- A structured yet flexible roadmap that charts important milestones and puts you in control of your growth.
- A mentor, talent, and tech support network made up of industry professionals and experts that you can connect with whenever you need them most.
- Peer connections with fellow innovators who will inspire and motivate you to surpass your every goal.
Early stage membership perks
A roadmap
Gain the direction you need with weekly workshops, shareouts, and deep dives for important business milestones.
Live events
Learn, network, collaborate, and connect with business leaders and peers at 1871’s award-winning programs, accessible online and in-person.
Expert guidance
Find solutions to any business or tech problem through one-on-one mentoring with over 250 vetted experts.
A community
Unlock the support and energy of the 1871 community from anywhere in the world through the member portal and private communication platform.
Expert-led video library
Gain unlimited access to an expansive on-demand library of lessons taught by industry leaders.
Supporting programs
Tackle challenges that are unique to your background and industry with 1871’s personal identity and industry supporting programs.
Brand recognition & amplification
Draw on the awareness and credibility that comes with being a member of the #1 Private Business Incubator in the world and amplify your wins on 1871’s various promotional channels.
$150K+ in free services
Utilize member-exclusive perks for your business, including credit to Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and much more.
A home
Establish your company headquarters in the heart of downtown Chicago, complete with fully equipped workspaces, conference rooms, podcast studio, and more. Or find your virtual home in 1871’s expansive community.
Choose your experience
Our early stage membership options are priced per individual.
Virtual
- $150K+ free business services
- Unlimited access to startup roadmap
- Live workshops & events
- Mentor network
- Supporting programs
- Community messaging platform
- Brand amplification
- No access to 1871 Chicago office
$175 / Month
Open desk
- 24/7 access to shared desk spaces in downtown Chicago
- Physical mailing address
- Office amenities + conference rooms
- $150K+ free business services
- Unlimited access to startup roadmap
- Live workshops & events
- Mentor network
- Supporting programs
- Community messaging platform
- Brand amplification
$350 / Month
Dedicated desk
- 24/7 access to a reserved desk space in downtown Chicago
- Physical mailing address
- Office amenities + conference rooms
- $150K+ free business services
- Unlimited access to startup roadmap
- Live workshops & events
- Mentor network
- Supporting programs
- Community messaging platform
- Brand amplification
$500 / Month
Looking for office space?
Let us know to see what’s available to build, customize, or set up shop at our Downtown Chicago space.
Your roadmap
We analyzed the pain points of over 250 founders and designed a roadmap to help you navigate startup fundamentals and propel you forward through every business milestone, from the idea stage through product-market fit.
No matter where you’re at in your business journey, we offer programming education, mentorship, and resources to help you grow. This roadmap, what 1871-ers refer to as “PYROS,” has four tracks: Explore, Build, Launch, and Catapult. Each track is structured around the following three educational pillars:
- Product Marketing & Strategy
- Startup & Business Fundamentals
- Leadership & Development
1871 also connects you with a community of peers to support and push you every step of the way.
- 14 week tracks
- Rolling entry
- Connect from anywhere
- Use what you need
- Expert-led
- Peer engagement
Supporting programs
Bring your full self to 1871. Our specialized identity and industry programs are carefully tailored to help you embrace your unique strengths, connect with industry insiders who will champion your success, and break down the barriers you face. To join any of the groups below, apply to be an early stage member.
Identity
BLK•Tech
Unlock a new world of opportunities among an intimate cohort of peers and mentors designed for Black-led startups. Learn More
LatinX
In partnership with the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), this program provides tailored coaching to help LatinX entrepreneurs thrive. Learn More
WISTEM
WISTEM empowers early stage woman-identifying entrepreneurs to develop, launch, and build their tech businesses faster. Learn more
Industry
Food Foundry
Food Foundry in partnership with Relish Works and Gordon Food Service supports, connects, and propels startups who are reimagining the food industry. Learn More
WMN•FINTech
WMN•FINTech in partnership with BMO Harris Bank pairs women-led startups that create services or solutions for the financial sector with industry-specific education and executive mentors. Learn more
Hear from our early stage members
Keithan Hedrick
Co-Founder & CEO
Candi
“The Pyros-Build experience was amazing, and it provided us the roadmap and structure that we were seeking. I can’t overstate how much money we saved from going through the program and avoiding the costly mistakes we would have made otherwise. Building a company is hard, but you aren’t the first to do it. The famous cliche is not to reinvent the wheel. Pyros is the wheel—use it!”
Cheryl Kemps
Founder
IndieFit
“We have done other accelerators, but they didn’t come close to the quality of the workshops, mentors and support that we’ve gotten from PYROS. I still can’t believe the program is included with membership. Launch helped us take our C- financial model and turn it into an A+ decision-making resource. It has also equipped us with new growth ideas and a robust OKR framework that keeps us focused.”