Chicago Bitcoin Center Launches
at 1871
Chicago’s First Bitcoin Incubator Officially
Launces at 1871, Welcomes Inaugural Class of Startups Focused on
Blockchain-Based Technologies
CHICAGO (INSIDE
BITCOINS CONFERENCE) July 10, 2015 — Prominent Chicago entrepreneurs and investors today announced the launch
of the Chicago Bitcoin Center, an incubator to serve as Chicago’s key resource and
center of gravity for blockchain-based technologies. Opening its doors today at
1871, Chicago’s hub for digital
startups, and officially announced at the Inside Bitcoins Conference in
Chicago, the Chicago Bitcoin Center will work to foster a new wave of
technological innovation on the blockchain. The Chicago Bitcoin Center is
dedicated to education, innovation, and development of blockchain-based
technologies.
“Chicago has a rich
history and DNA in financial technology, and the blockchain has the potential
to provide a new, open-source rail for FinTech innovation,” said Matthew
Roszak, founder and CEO of the Chicago Bitcoin Center and founding partner of
Tally Capital, a Chicago-based venture capital firm focused on
blockchain-enabled technologies and currencies. “The Chicago Bitcoin Center is
open to designers, developers, entrepreneurs, and all those dedicated to
building tomorrow’s next chapter of financial technology.”
The launch of the
Chicago Bitcoin Center at 1871 provides a number of resources and opportunities
for startups focused on blockchain-based technologies. In
addition to office space in the Chicago Bitcoin Center, incubator companies
will have access to mentorship by leading Bitcoin entrepreneurs, technologists
and investors. The Chicago Bitcoin Center also provides a full suite of public
relations and government affairs services to member companies. This
incubator is one of many efforts being undertaken at 1871 to foster innovation
around financial technology.
“The financial
industry is a key vertical that is profoundly affected by technology, and the
Chicago Bitcoin Center establishes a leadership position for 1871 and Chicago
in this important field,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “We are excited to
welcome the Chicago Bitcoin Center and its first cohort of startups to 1871.”
In conjunction
with the launch of the Chicago Bitcoin Center, 1871 has announced that it will
now be able to accept payment in bitcoin. Additionally, members will be invited
to pay their rent in bitcoin, should they so desire. This is one of several
steps 1871 will be taking to promote the use and acceptance of bitcoin.
“At the Chicago
Bitcoin Center, I look forward to working with FinTech entrepreneurs to build
on the growing momentum in the FinTech industry, while drawing on the city's
deep legacy of financial innovation," said Jonathan Solomon, who serves as
the first executive director of the Chicago Bitcoin Center.
The Chicago
Bitcoin Center’s Board of Advisors includes: Andrew Filipowski, chairman of the Chicago Bitcoin Center and founding
partner of Tally Capital; Don Wilson,
founder and CEO of DRW Trading; Jeff
Garzik, bitcoin core developer and founder of Dunvegan Space Systems; David Johnston, managing partner of
Decentralized Applications Venture Fund; Perianne
Boring, founder and president of the Chamber of Digital Commerce; Josh Metnick, CEO of Navier; Luke Sully, director of advisory services
at PriceWaterhouseCoopers; and Ezra
Galston, venture capitalist at Chicago Ventures.
The Chicago
Bitcoin Center’s inaugural incubator companies include: Bloq, a blockchain technology company; Glidera, a digital currency merchant services provider; Red Leaf, a bitcoin ATM operator; and OasisCoin, a bitcoin remittance
provider.
About the Chicago
Bitcoin Center
Leveraging Chicago's rich history and DNA in financial technology, the
Chicago Bitcoin Center is an incubator focused on blockchain-enabled
technologies and provides a platform for education, innovation and development.
The Chicago Bitcoin Center is sponsored by a group of Chicago-based technology
entrepreneurs and investors, and is located at 1871 Chicago. For more
information visit: www.chicagobitcoin.com.
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, The New
York Times, Chicago Tribune and Crain’s
Chicago Business, among other top media. 1871 is the flagship project of
the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.
