1871 AND INDIEGOGO
ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT TO PROMOTE CROWDFUNDING AT 1871
Indiegogo to locate
Midwest office at 1871, will bring crowdfunding education and opportunities to
1871 members
CHICAGO (August 26,
2014)—1871 joined
crowdfunding platform Indiegogo today to announce a partnership that will bring
crowdfunding education, new tools and marketing opportunities to 1871 members. Indiegogo
will have an on-site presence at 1871 in order to interact with entrepreneurs
and provide valuable resources to the 1871 community.
“Crowdfunding is an increasingly important tool for
entrepreneurs seeking to develop their businesses,” said 1871 CEO Howard A.
Tullman. “At 1871, we distinguish ourselves from ordinary co-working and desk
rental spaces by providing extensive, high-quality resources that help our
members grow successful businesses. This partnership with Indiegogo provides a
critical service to 1871 startups, and we are excited that Indiegogo will have
a noticeable and continuing presence at 1871. I have known Slava Rubin,
Indiegogo’s CEO, for many years and there is no one I’d rather have as a
partner in this exciting new area. He’s one of the most innovative and
passionate people I know.”
The partnership agreement will establish Chicago (and 1871)
as the Midwest headquarters for Indiegogo. Indiegogo staff, when in Chicago,
will work from 1871, and Indiegogo will also explore stationing full-time
personnel in Chicago. Indiegogo will host quarterly Indiegogo Labs for 1871
members to learn crowdfunding basics, and will provide individual mentorship
opportunities for 1871 startups with crowdfunding campaigns. Indiegogo plans to host meet and greets
between successful and new or pending crowdfunding campaigners, and will also
host various events for the Chicago community.
"As a Chicago-native, I have experienced first-hand the
incredible innovation that the city has to offer,” said Indiegogo Head of
Outreach for Hardware and Tech, Kate Drane. “Today, I'm thrilled that Indiegogo
and 1871 have teamed up to take the lead in fostering this spirit and
empowering Chicago's entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life through crowdfunding."
In addition to its physical presence and labs, Indiegogo will
maintain a satellite presence in 1871, which includes hosting virtual office
hours and providing dedicated campaign review for 1871 members who launch
Indiegogo campaigns. 1871 members will also benefit from Indiegogo’s expertise
in using social media and video for business purposes.
“I am excited to have Indiegogo at 1871 because many of us
could use their help,” said Brian Busche, 1871 member and Brewed in Chicago
founder and CTO. “My company is in the final
stages of crafting a crowdfunding campaign for Brewed in Chicago. It would be extremely valuable to interface
with somebody from Indiegogo in order to achieve the highest level of success
on their platform.”
The Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act, envisions
that, once the SEC issues the implementing regulations, U.S.-based startups will
be able to take advantage of equity crowdfunding which allows them to raise
funds in exchange for shares of their companies. 1871’s partnership with
Indiegogo ensures that 1871 and its members will lead the way for startups
using equity crowdfunding.
About Indiegogo
Indiegogo is a way for people all over the world to join
forces to make ideas happen. Since 2008, millions of contributors have
empowered hundreds of thousands of inventors, musicians, do-gooders, filmmakers
– and many more – to bring their dreams to life. 224 countries and territories
are home to Indiegogo campaigns.
About 1871
1871 is an entrepreneurial hub for digital
startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, the 75,000-square-foot facility
provides Chicago startups with programming, access to mentors, educational
resources, potential investors and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs
that help them on their path to building successful businesses. 1871 is the
flagship project of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.
