Loyola University Chicago Announces Partnership with
1871
Organizations Team Up to Provide Access
for Student Entrepreneurs and Faculty Mentors
CHICAGO (May 11, 2015) – Loyola University
Chicago has teamed up with 1871
to open a workspace in the digital technology incubator’s historic
Merchandise Mart facilities. The partnership allows Loyola
student entrepreneurs, as well as the
University’s world-class faculty, to plug directly into the Chicago entrepreneurial ecosystem
through events, special programming, and access to critical business resources
like venture capitalists, media outlets, and prospective corporate partners.
“Our relationships with
universities have been essential in our ongoing effort to expand innovation and
entrepreneurship throughout Chicago,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “Having
university members and student entrepreneurs as a
part of 1871 creates new and exciting opportunities for
everyone. We are thrilled to welcome Loyola to our
community."
The partnership also
allows 1871 to connect its members with Loyola faculty who are interested in
serving as mentors and coaches. One of the first endeavors of the partnership
includes the University’s School
of Law, School of Communication, and Quinlan School of Business faculty engaging
with entrepreneurs who have received an 1871 diversity scholarship. Over the past four
months, six faculty members have met with these entrepreneurs weekly to coach
them on their individual areas of expertise. The program culminates with a May
11 presentation at 1871.
“As a university, we are committed to
connecting our students with opportunities both within, and
beyond, Loyola’s campuses,” said John Pelissero, PhD, provost of Loyola
University Chicago. “This opportunity to partner with 1871 and its entrepreneurial
community
benefits all of our students—undergraduate and graduate—and demonstrates our commitment
to preparing students for a lifetime of leadership and innovation.”
Six Illinois universities
now have workspaces at 1871, and 1871 has a number of endeavors focused
on student entrepreneurs. The Chicago College Startup Competition, in which ten
college businesses receive a free one-year full membership, allows
entrepreneurs in college to continue to grow their businesses in
Chicago after graduation. Additionally, 1871
hosts Campus 1871, a weekend-long event where college students interested in
technology entrepreneurship harness their passion by working with peers from
partner universities to ideate, create, and bring to life viable startups.
Student innovation took center stage from
April 10 through April 12 at this year’s Campus 1871. Twenty Loyola students participated in Campus 1871, including
sophomore finance and marketing major Jessica Chitkuer, whose team won first
place for their creation of an app and website that connects users looking to learn
new languages. Chitkuer and her team built a fully working prototype, designed
product features, crafted a pitch deck, and conducted market validation in only
72 hours.
“Entrepreneurs have to wear a lot of hats,” said
Ugur Uygur, assistant professor at Loyola’s Quinlan School of Business and a
faculty mentor in the 1871 program. “Our partnership with 1871 provides a great
opportunity for our students to learn how to wear all these hats, increase
their knowledge across all disciplines, and connect with some of the brightest
minds in Chicago.”
To learn more about Loyola’s 1871 partnership, or how to
engage directly with our students and faculty, please contact our Office of
Corporate Engagement at 312.915.6512 or visit LUC.edu/corporate.
