What's next happens at 1871
What's next happens at 1871
Join our innovation hub – an expansive community of founders, leaders, innovators, and supporters that is advancing the world forward and shaping a brighter future.
We inspire, equip, and support
We inspire, equip, and support
Early stage, growth stage, and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses from idea to Fortune 50.
$3.5 B
Raised in venture capital
17
Unicorns in membership
~14,500
Jobs created
850+
Alumni scaling
IRL•VIRTUAL • VR
The convenor of change-makers
The convenor of change-makers
We’re an independent, nonprofit innovation hub named after the year of the Great Chicago Fire where innovators came together to rebuild and re-imagine what’s possible. To this day, we’re rooted in our city with a reach that spans the globe.
We believe in the power of “and.” By partnering with others, we create experiences where everyone can find belonging and win.
Here, surprise and serendipity can be found in every step of your journey. Because when you’re surrounded by a vibrant community, even the smallest and most unexpected interactions can create the greatest impact.
We're world's #1
We're world's #1
Fuel your next breakthrough
Fuel your next breakthrough
No two innovators’ journeys are the same, so we’ve curated our member experiences with products, community, and resources to help you reach new levels of creativity anytime and anywhere—at every step.
1871ers get to be a part of one of the only organizations in the country that brings together founders, leaders, investors, and mentors into a single, unified community.
Discover your next game-changing opportunity from the fortunate collisions!
No two innovators’ journeys are the same, so we’ve curated our member experiences with products, community, and resources to help you reach new levels of creativity anytime and anywhere—at every step.
1871ers get to be a part of one of the only organizations in the country that brings together founders, leaders, investors, and mentors into a single, unified community.
Discover your next game-changing opportunity from the fortunate collisions!
Upcoming opportunities
Learn how to get involved and explore the newest 1871 offerings.
Events
Member pathways
Membership options
Our membership options cover the full business maturity curve, whether you are ready to launch, accelerate, innovate, or lead. Find your fit to access our physical or virtual spaces, programming, events, marketing promotion, exclusive perks, peers, and more.
1871 spotlight
1871 Spotlight
Here’s what our members have to say about their experiences…
Sara Agate
“The beauty of a community is its common unity and to be surrounded with like-minded individuals with similar backgrounds and challenges makes the journey of entrepreneurship bearable. There was something so refreshing about seeing so many who look like you and are as ambitious, solving real problems.”
Keesha Vinson
Founder, Heart of Culture, Inc.
Elissa Trainor
App & Mobile
Technology Director,
Lettuce Entertain You
Restaurants
“It has been challenging to find business-minded organizations that understand the complexities and challenges of being a Latinx startup and with whom we could engage at so many levels, feel at home, and welcome! They [1871 & IHCC] are making an important difference for us in the short time.”
Reginald Maisonneuve
Founder, Aegis
