Thursday, July 02, 2015

1871 WELCOMES SENTE INTERNATIONAL STARTUP ACCELERATOR



1871 WELCOMES SENTE INTERNATIONAL STARTUP ACCELERATOR

Sente International Startup Accelerator at 1871 to Create Opportunities for International Technology Startups; Encourage Expansion in the United States via Chicago

CHICAGO (July 2, 2015)—1871 joined Sente Advisory Services today to announce the launch of the Sente International Startup Accelerator at 1871. The program will bring groups of international startups to 1871 for specialized programming designed to facilitate the development process for companies seeking to expand in the United States.

 “As the center of Chicago’s entrepreneurial community and the nation’s largest digital startup hub, 1871 is uniquely placed to showcase the abundant resources that allow entrepreneurs from across the globe to come to Chicago and thrive,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “We are excited to partner with Sente Advisory to expand our international involvement and look forward to welcoming future cohorts from Sente to Chicago and 1871. We believe Chicago is the premier point of entry to the US market for any international company.”

The standard program with Sente Advisory is divided into three stages over twelve weeks. During the first stage, participating startups spend six weeks with the Sente team in their home countries to validate the global strength of their ideas. Selected startups then dedicate the next two weeks to preparing for their transition to Chicago by receiving direct mentoring and participating in specialized programming. Finally, the cohort moves to 1871 in Chicago for four weeks to immerse themselves in Chicago’s technology startup ecosystem while completing their business development and fundraising strategy. Throughout this last stage at 1871, the startups develop a list of potential American clients and business partners and receive coaching on how to pitch their businesses in the US market. 1871 has hosted three groups of Turkish startups through its partnership with Sente Advisory, and will welcome the fourth cohort in August of this year.

“Chicago, with its successful business heritage, its technology ecosystem led by 1871, and its strong talent base, provides the best and friendliest launchpad for international startups that are looking to expand and enter the US market,” said Sente Advisory founder Serhat Cicekoglu. “The program that we run at 1871 has proven to be an effective bridge between emerging ecosystems with global solutions and the US market.”

Since its opening, 1871 has hosted thousands of foreign dignitaries and entrepreneurs seeking to explore the entrepreneurial and technology industries in Chicago. In addition to the Sente cohorts, 1871 has hosted international startups for the US Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative (GIST). 1871 also has formalized agreements with incubators and co-working spaces in London, Tel Aviv and Mexico City. This international involvement not only highlights Chicago’s growing ecosystem for digital entrepreneurs, but also provides 1871 members with an expanding set of tools and resources so that they can remain globally competitive as they develop their businesses. 

About Sente Advisory Services

Founded in 2008, Sente provides incubation and accelerator services to startups in Turkey and other emerging startup ecosystems. Sente facilitates entry into US markets for startups with strong opportunities for business development and fundraising.

About 1871


1871 is the home of more than 325 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 75,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, Techstars Chicago and Impact Engine; half a dozen industry-specific incubators in key areas such as real estate, education technology, food and financial technology; several emerging tech talent schools (Flatiron, The Fullbridge Program, Designation and the Startup Institute), and the state's leading technology advocate, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition. It is the second home to Chicago-based VCs, Pritzker Group Venture Capital, MATH Venture Partners, Hyde Park Angels, OCA Ventures, OurCrowd and Chicago Ventures, as well as satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, and DeVry. 1871 has fast become recognized as the hub for the city’s entrepreneurial/technology ecosystem and has been featured in TechCrunch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune and Crain’s Chicago Business among other top media. 1871 is the flagship project of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.