Campus 1871
Welcome to the startup experience for students. Collaborate with peers across the city, 1871 founders, and mentors to gain an understanding of how to put a product to market.
What is Campus 1871?
Each year, 1871 and their university partners team up to create Campus 1871 to simulate the experience of building and pitching a business for prospective student founders! It’s an immersive experience that builds skills in collaboration, ideation, and problem-solving.
University Partners
Campus 1871 is put on through exclusive partnerships with the following universities:
Hack the Weekend
Two days of intensive workshops, lectures, and mentoring where student-led teams:
- Attend talks by keynote speakers
- Utilize 1871 mentors
- Pitch their businesses to a panel of Chicago tech and industry leaders
- Win the grand prize for the first place team!
*Note, you must attend the entire event to be eligible: Saturday, April 4, 8:00 am through Sunday, April 5, 3:00 pm.
**Campus 1871 will close for the evening at 10:00 pm on Saturday and re-open on Sunday at 7:00 am.
Open to all majors
We’re often asked, “… but I’m not a developer, is that okay?” The answer is a resounding yes!
Collaborate across teams
If you have the technical/creative abilities to build an app or functioning platform, great! However, it takes a team of cross-talented individuals to build extraordinary businesses.
Become a founder
Any students interested in becoming founders, building a business, solving problems, developing ideas, pitching business ideas, and collaborating with other students should apply, regardless of their major.
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.
222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
Floor 12, Suite 1212
Chicago, IL 60654