Women are impacting the work force now more than ever, making great strides in growing businesses and creating jobs in a variety of fields. In collaboration with the Small Business Administration, 1871 wants to recognize and support entrepreneurs who are striving to support women's efforts to thrive by creating products or services that serve and empower women and families.
Many have applied, but only a few will compete! Join us on November 23rd for a lively and inspirational Pitch Day featuring our selected companies whom will be judged by a panel of Chicago industry experts. The winner from this round will go on to compete in the Finals in Washington D.C. for the opportunity to win prize money totaling $70,000, provided by Microsoft.
Wine and beer will be provided!
MEET THE COMPANIES
Changing Table Locator
While traveling with children in diapers, the unexpected is guaranteed to happen. When it does happen, be prepared. Changing Table Locator is about to launch a Smart Phone/Android App that will give you access to the closest baby changing tables all across the United States. Plan your trip ahead of time using our website. www.changingtablelocator.com| @ChangingTables
Omeggo's Egg Substitute
Approximately 2% of all children have an allergy to eggs. Eggs are a commonly used food that may cause food sensitivity reactions. Parents of children with egg sensitivity may not find it difficult to eliminate visible eggs, but may not be aware of the variety of food products that contain eggs. Omeggo's provide an Omega-3 rich, all natural egg substitute packaged as a 1:1 ratio - 1 Omeggo to replace 1 egg in any baking recipe with no need to make other adjustments, as is necessary with most other egg substitutes. Omeggo's, therefore, makes baking for vegans, those with allergies, and those avoiding eggs as easy as cracking an egg. www.jcobbconsulting.com | @jcobb1031
KaZoom Digital Publishing
KaZoom Digital Publishing’s mission is to bring more diversity to children’s literature. The company’s flagship product is the KaZoom Kids iStoryStation, an interactive digital library of Black children's books. Our books strive to engage a child with sight, sound and touch through interactive technology. These stories will be easily accessible via digital technology to our target audience of Black women with children ages 3 to 8 and educators around the world.
Luna Lights
At Luna Lights, we promote health, happiness, and independence for older adults. We're currently rolling out an automated lighting system that utilizes cloud based data analytics to reduce the risk of falling. Luna Lights consists of an ultra-thin pressure sensor that detects when a user gets out of bed and immediately turns on small, wireless lights around the home. When the user returns to his or her bed, the sensor turns the lights off automatically. Additionally, a software component collects data regarding the frequency and duration that an adult is out of bed at night. Our system sends a text or page alert to a caregiver if an older adult is out of bed for an unreasonable amount of time. It also allows caregivers to identify trends in nighttime trips and see which individuals are most at risk for falling. www.lunalights.org | @lunalightsinc
mRelief
mRelief is a Chicago-based all-woman software development team. Our niche is streamlining social services delivery through eligibility determination for public benefits done through adaptive questionnaires available online and through text messaging. After a user completes a form, our website generates personalized results for users on which safety net programs they qualify for and actionable steps -- whether they qualify or not. In this way, our platform efficiently facilitates discovery of programs fostering economic relief for people in poverty. Our tool, integrated into City of Chicago administered centers, has reduced eligibility determination time by 75 percent. www.mrelief.com | @mrelief_form
Leche Libre
Leche Libre is an edgy urban apparel brand which empowers women to breastfeed in public spaces in effortless style. Our stylish AND functional dresses feature zippers down the bust to allow for easy discreet nursing access. Our designs can stand the test of time and women want to wear them even when they no longer breastfeed. Leche Libre ends the debate on nursing in public and changes the conversation from "I can't believe you're breastfeeding here" to "you look amazing!" www.LecheLibre.com | @LecheLibre
TNoah
TNoah is developing an online procurement site to match companies that have specific diversity procurement needs with Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certified vendors that meet those needs.
MEET THE JUDGES
Howard Tullman, CEO, 1871
Howard A. Tullman is the CEO of 1871, where digital startups get their start, and the General Managing Partner of G2T3V, LLC, and of Chicago High Tech Investment Partners. He is a member of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago NEXT and Cultural Affairs Councils; the Innovate Illinois Advisory Council; the Illinois Arts Council; a member of President Preckwinkle's New Media Council; and adjunct professor at Kellogg; and an advisor to many start-ups. He is the former Chairman and CEO of Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy. Over the last 45 years, he has successfully founded more than a dozen high-tech companies. @tullman
Jessica Droste Yagan, CEO, Impact Engine
Jessica Droste Yagan is the CEO of Impact Engine, a fund that invests in early-stage businesses solving social and environmental challenges. Impact Engine also recently launched an angel network and impact investing educational opportunities to extend its role in supporting the broader impact investing community in Chicago. Jessica’s role at Impact Engine builds on a career of leveraging private markets for positive social impact, including most recently leading sustainable sourcing for McDonald’s Corporation. She has been an impact angel investor since 2005 and is also on the Boards of Piece & Co., Social Venture Partners Chicago, OneGoal Chicago, and The Honeycomb Project. She has a BA from Haverford College, an MBA from Stanford University, and an MPA from Harvard University. Most importantly, she manages to keep her family of three kids and one husband surviving and (mostly) thriving. @drosteyagan
Michael J. McMurray, President, Globetrotters Engineering Corporation
Michael J. McMurray is President of Globetrotters Engineering Corporation (GEC), a full-service architectural and engineering design firm. Mr. McMurray is responsible for all strategic and long-term planning, partnerships, and initiatives. He oversees the day-to-day operations, which includes ensuring that appropriate business strategies are implemented, that the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the firm’s domestic and foreign business units, and that revenue goals are met. Prior to joining GEC, Mr. McMurray was appointed to and served in several key senior level positions in City of Chicago government. Before his government service, he practiced law in both the public and private sectors. Mr. McMurray currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Entrepreneurial Center (1871), the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago. He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and the Executives’ Club of Chicago and was recently chosen as a Chicago United Business Leader of Color for 2015.
Linda Darragh, Executive Director, Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice, Kellogg School of Management
Linda Darragh oversees one of four strategic initiatives at Kellogg. In this capacity she has revised the curriculum, expanded the faculty and increased the engagement opportunities for students and alumni with respect to entrepreneurship since the fall of 2012. Darragh also teaches several courses focusing on launching student businesses, and serves as the executive director of the Levy Institute for Entrepreneurial Practice and the Heizer Center for Private Equity and Venture Capital.
Darragh also co-founded and has invested in Impact Engine, an accelerator program that supports for-profit businesses making the world a better place. Prior to joining the Kellogg faculty, Darragh served as the director of Entrepreneurship Programs at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. She started her academic career at Kellogg in 1999 when she started as an adjunct professor and later became Assistant Director of Entrepreneurship.
Before that she was Vice President of the Women's Business Development Center, she piloted innovative lending programs that created collaborations with foundations, banks and all levels of government. Ms. Darragh also organized Springboard: Mid-West, a nationally recognized investor forum for women entrepreneurs, in 2001 and 2003. The forums raised more than $85 million for participants. Another outcome of Springboard was the establishment of the Ceres Venture Fund in which she is an investor.
Linda serves on the boards of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center/1871 and the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition. Darragh received a Master's degree from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor's degree from Queen's University. @darraghchicago
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