100 Days of 1871

August 20, 2012 by Emely Matus

Back on May 2^nd, we opened the doors to a new 50,000 square foot center for digital startups in the Merchandise Mart. We named this place 1871 to reflect the great spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship following the Great Chicago Fire. We hoped that a place like this would become a hub for startup activity in Chicago – and would provide a supportive community of like-minded entrepreneurs building early-stage companies alongside one another. We hoped that bringing together incredible partners like Code Academy, Excelerate Labs, Impact Engine, and the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) – as well as top local universities and venture capital partners – would provide access to the talent, capital and mentorship startups need to grow their businesses. We hoped for so much and so far it has exceeded our expectations!

[Read more…] about 100 Days of 1871

August 15, 2012 by Emely Matus

By Yasha Saxena, 1871 Team Intern

August 9, 2012 by Emely Matus

By Frank D. Muscarello, CEO of MarkITx

August 9, 2012 by Emely Matus

By Jeff Dunn, Director of Educational Technology R&D for DeVry

I lead efforts to make sure that all DeVry institutions are on the cutting edge in using technology to deliver a world-class learning experience for every one of our students. And in Chicago, the cutting edge starts at 1871.

August 8, 2012 by Emely Matus

(Exciting news from Impact Engine on their inaugural accelerator class taking place at 1871. Below is the press release they put out today.)

August 7, 2012 by Emely Matus

If your company has its own office space but you’d like the opportunity to get your employees involved in Chicago’s digital community, 1871 has a new Associate Membership program that might be right for you. Designed for digital companies or divisions with more than 8 employees, the Associate Membership offers 24-hour access to 1871’s co-working space and conference rooms as well as all the workshops, speakers and networking events. And, because the membership is transferable, it can be shared among staff members within an organization to take advantage of all the great resources inside the community.

August 2, 2012 by Emely Matus

Food Genius is moving out of 1871 today and into our own office, just three months after we moved in.

July 31, 2012 by Emely Matus

The next speaker for our event series “1871 Talks” was none other than Howard Tullman, labelled by Inc. Magazine as “the most accomplished, best-connected entrepreneur you have never heard of.” A serial entrepreneur, investor, advisor, art collector, teacher, lecturer, lawyer, marathon runner, and friend of both Bill Clinton and Tyra Banks, Tullman has done it all.

July 20, 2012 by Emely Matus

By, Eric Duboe, 1871 team intern

July 19, 2012 by Emely Matus

This morning 1871 was lucky enough to have Mark Achler, Senior Vice President of New Business, Strategy, and Innovation of Redbox, come speak on the importance of integrating values into company culture. Starting off his early morning presentation with a round of heartwarming jokes, it was clear how important connecting with people is to him. A string of notable accolades under his belt, notably the serial entrepreneur of four companies, a partner at a venture capitalist firm, and currently an intrapraneur at Redbox, Achler could only stress the importance of values in helping him through every step of his career.

July 14, 2012 by Emely Matus

Originally posted on Google’s Policy by the Number blog and the event was hosted at 1871 (@1871Chicago)

July 13, 2012 by Emely Matus

It’s been just over two months since 1871 opened its doors on May 2^nd and welcomed the first round of digital startups. To say we have some incredible companies (and of course people) “living here”, would be an understatement. The excitement, idea generation, networking, mentorship, support and pure adrenaline that fill the space everyday are so exciting to watch. So with that in mind, we wanted to create an opportunity to let others meet and hear from some of the great entrepreneurs in and around 1871 as they share their insights on fostering digital startup success.

July 12, 2012 by Emely Matus

This morning we hosted a breakfast at 1871 for entrepreneurs and members of the investment community in partnership with Silicon Valley Bank in Chicago, the Angel Resource Institute, and data powered by CB Insights. The most recent edition of the Halo Report was shared with the audience – a project that highlights angel group investment activity and emerging trends throughout the United States and provides more sought after data that has not been previously available to entrepreneurs or early stage investors.

July 3, 2012 by Emely Matus

Last Friday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel visited 1871 for a press conference and to tour this digital startup center. The Mayor and his team have been huge supporters of the effort to build 1871 – particularly his CTO John Tolva, CIO Brett Goldstein, and World Business Chicago – especially Director of Technology Development Dan Lyne.

June 28, 2012 by Emely Matus

By: Pat Ryan

June 26, 2012 by Emely Matus

June 21, 2012 by Emely Matus

By Pat Ryan Jr, Founder and CEO of INCISENT

June 13, 2012 by Emely Matus

1871 is proud to announce today that Impact Engine is going to run out of the new startup center in the Merchandise Mart this fall led by Chuck Templeton along with managing members Linda Darragh, Dennis Barsema, Jamie Jones, and Tasha Seitz. This was announced tonight by Chuck during his Founders Stories appearance with Pat Ryan Jr.

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