1871 and the CEC Announce 10 Finalists for 10th Annual Momentum Awards

September 19, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Strong and Talented Crop of Tech Businesses Among Nominees for Momentum Award and Momentum Rising Star Award; Winners to be Announced at Largest Ever Momentum Dinner November 2

September 19, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

“The Open Internet exists today, and it is under attack.” That was the dire message Tom Wheeler, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, had for the audience of the Benton Foundation hosted event at 1871 on September 18.

September 18, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Every entrepreneur has a story of what inspired them to build their dream, and for some, the passion is in their bloodlines. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re featuring the stories of our Latinx startup community and the family members who inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Today, Loretta Ivette Trevino, Director of Events at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, talks about her dad’s influence on her life.

September 15, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Since April, 1871 has been excited to play host to an innovative partnership program in our space, which has paired mentors from BMO Harris Bank with some emerging Fintech startups in Chicago. Since then, Peanut Butter, Spring Four, Genivity, Medean, Wealth Pool and Tru Crowd have been working closely with the mentors in the 1871 space, refining their value proposition and scaling up to partner or pilot their technology with a large bank like BMO.

September 15, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Vunzai Yeazel, born in America and raised in Zimbabwe, has filled three passports traveling around the world to help women, and now she’s landed in Chicago to continue her mission through tech. The Gorgeous Within founder and CEO began her company in 2010, as a way to bring women together and empower them through workshops and events.

September 14, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Cate Costa is an 1871 mentor and entrepreneurship development professional with more than ten years of experience as an entrepreneur herself and coaching founders in a variety of industries. In this guest blog, Costa takes a hard look at changes that need to be made among entrepreneurship support organizations in order to better and more earnestly support minority and female founders.

September 13, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

With a network of more than 300 professionals from every industry, the mentor program is the crown jewel of 1871. Every day, mentors dedicate their time and expertise guiding our members from issues ranging from legal to tech and everywhere in between, forming valuable relationships and producing concrete outcomes. This week, we say hello to Linda Darragh of Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

September 13, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Kim Foerster knows everyone is a character, and she has a patent-pending 26 point algorithm to back that up. Along with Co-Founder and COO Pete McEntegart, the WiSTEM member and CharacTour CEO is setting out to connect casual TV and movie watchers and superfans alike based on the characters whose personality traits they most match.

September 12, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

The obstacles are always greater when you lack the funds to support your genius entrepreneurial idea. Victoria Elena Nones, Founder of Women in Comedy and 1871/IHCC Hispanic Technology Incubator alum, shares five key takeaways from her own entrepreneurial journey on how to maintain the right attitude when building a business on a shoestring.

September 12, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Earlier this year, my wife Tiffany mentioned an idea to me that might be a possible collaboration between 1871 and Energy BBDO, the Michigan Avenue-based advertising agency for whom she works. The idea was fairly straightforward — that the group of 25 or so Energy BBDO interns would work with 1871 startups over the summer to develop and pitch full advertising campaigns.

September 8, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

1871 had an exciting start to the week by welcoming six companies from Tel Aviv University to our space for a two-week program. Also on Insta: Some awesome views of The Mart, a look at some of the students who spent the summer coding at 1871 and some shots from the lens of our photographer, Greg Rothstein.

September 8, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Intimidated by a term sheet? Scratching your head on SAFE versus convertible notes? Don’t even know where to start when it comes to approaching an investor? It’s not uncommon for bootstrapped startups to be a little lost when it comes to the concept of asking for funding, but luckily, Hyde Park Angels is willing to share their wisdom.

September 8, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Sell a million copies of a book, and you get your name in the New York Times. Produce a platinum album, you top the Billboard charts and even get a plaque. But create, market and sell a best-selling toy or board game? —barely anyone knows your name. WiSTEM member and ChiTAG founder Mary Couzin is looking to change that.

September 5, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

In this guest contribution to the 1871 blog, Fillo’s co-founder Daniel Caballero talks about overcoming challenges while getting his product on the shelf and in front of consumers. Now on shelves across Chicago and online, Caballero shares his insight into what it takes to get from idea to sales to scale.

September 5, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Israeli Companies will Use 1871 as Home Base in Chicago as They Prepare to Enter U.S. Market; 10-Day Intensive Program Welcomes Startups from Tel Aviv University’s Management of Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MoTIE) Program

September 1, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

It was a week to celebrate at 1871, as we marked the conclusion of the second IHCC/1871 Joint Incubator, wished a coworker well on her upcoming nuptials and welcomed internationally renowned author Doris Kearns Goodwin to our space.

September 1, 2017 by J Blaszczykiewicz

Rather than trying to take on increasingly large and powerful companies, a better strategy is to make your firm essential by fusing with their infrastructure.

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