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1871

The central Chicago address for tech

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  • Join
    • I am a…
      • Early Stage
      • Growth Stage
      • Corporate Innovator
    • Roadmap
      • BLKtech Founders
      • 619 Community Resource Group
      • LTNtech Founders
      • PRDtech Voices
      • WMNtech Founders
      • WMNtech Leaders
      • WMNfintech
      • PYROS
      • DGTL
      • Equifax Accelerate
      • Supply Chain Innovation Lab
    • Resources
      • Neighborhoods
      • Job Board
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Host Your Event
    • Signature Events
      • Juneteenth
      • Momentum
      • International Women’s Day
      • ScaleUp
      • Tech Challenge 2021
      • Campus
      • Intern & Job Fair
  • Blog
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  • About

After the fire

We’re not named after the Great Chicago Fire. We’re inspired by what came next: a remarkable moment when engineers, architects, and inventors banded together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world.

Our story is your story

Our early stage, growth stage and corporate innovators are the center of our gravity. We know you are bold, intent on solving hard problems and pushing the boundaries of technology. Our community’s impact resonates throughout Chicago and beyond. We’re here to inspire, equip, and support you as you build the extraordinary tomorrow.

350

Mentors

100

Partners

650+

Alumni

4

Venture Capital Firms

7

Partner Universities

Inspire, equip, support

We exist to create the experiences and space that early stage, growth stage, and corporate innovators need while they build extraordinary businesses. We are actively committed to building a more inclusive and diverse community in order to provide those who are underrepresented a pathway into technology & innovation leadership.

These values make up the core of who we are, and we are proud to have received two awards from UBI Global: the World #1 Top Business Incubator and the Most Promising Women Founders Incubator.

The experience

1871 is a nonprofit located in the historic Merchandise Mart. The diversity and density of our community creates the conditions for both calculated and fortunate collisions of success between early stage, growth stage, corporate innovators, and community members. As a member, you will know how to build the right product in the right way, learn where you are in your founder’s journey, and discover what you need to tackle next.

Founders

For any startup stage or need, access to our mentors, educational resources, and flexible, scalable spaces will accelerate your growth. More than anything though, we are where founders find founders and create a community.

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Growth-Stage Scale

1871 recently integrated the Illinois Technology Association under the CEC: find out more about how to gain access to talent and large, collaborative tech networks. Whether you are looking to build your team, promote your business or collaborate with like-minded tech executives, we’ve got you covered.

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Corporate Innovation

Solve tough challenges and build a culture of innovation that secures your organization’s future: tap into our best-in-class system of startups and partners.

Learn More

Events

From industry titans like Stripe and Twitter to educational seminars and community based meet-ups, host or join alongside our community in one of our many private spaces.

Learn More

1871: Chicago’s Google for Startups Tech Hub

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Meet our board

Larry Eppley

Chairman of the Board

Mike Lyman

Treasurer, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee

Ted Souder

Secretary, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee

Jim O’Connor Jr.

Chairman Emeritus

Laura Ferris Anderson

Chair of the Development Committee

Troy Henikoff

Chair of the Programming Committee

Leslie Anderson

Chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

View All Board Members

Meet Team 1871

Betsy Ziegler

CEO

Lisa Laws

COO

RACHAEL FEUERBORN

Chief Product Officer

Stephanie Miller

CXO

View All Team Members

Getting here

1871 can be found in Suite 1212 on the 12th floor of theMART, which is located on the North side of the river between Wells and Orleans. For easy access, enter through the Orleans entrance on the west side of theMART and take those elevators to the 12th floor.

1871
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212
Chicago, IL 60654

Photography on site copyrighted by: Victoria Messina (https://www.victoriamessina.info/), Sean Su (@SeanSuPhoto and @PurplePhotoCo), Gregory Rosenstein (http://www.rothsteinphoto.com/), and others. Please contact directly for further information: [email protected].

Get in Touch

Interested in joining the community of founders at Chicago’s central digital technology hub, but not sure where to begin? Leave us a message and we will get in touch.

[email protected]
312.239.0310

222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
Floor 12, Suite 1212
Chicago, IL 60654

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Ready to get started?

The best way to get started with 1871 is to attend an info session or get in touch with one of our team members. We’re ready to talk you through how to best get involved with our community.

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Upcoming events

1871 regularly hosts events focused on entrepreneurship, self-development and more. View events calendar

1871 Blog

Learn about the Chicago tech and entrepreneurship community.Read our blog

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