Friday, December 18, 2015

ECONOMY OF NOW (EON) FORUM LAUNCHES AT 1871

ECONOMY OF NOW (EON) FORUM LAUNCHES AT 1871

Ongoing Council Will Bring Together Leaders in the On-Demand Business Space to Advance Economic Growth and Job Creation in Chicago; Council Kicked Off With Event On December 15; Will Include Shared Resources, Networking, and Additional Services Provided by 1871 

CHICAGO (December 18, 2015) – 1871 today announced the Economy of Now (EON) Forum, the first “now economy” council to mobilize the leaders in Chicago’s on-demand economy. This council will create a collaborative environment for on-demand companies to exchange ideas, discuss industry challenges, and identify opportunities for innovation and growth. The EON Forum kicked off with its first event on December 15.

“On-demand businesses are changing the game and creating new opportunities in every industry,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “As a result, 1871 created the EON Forum to support this new, tech-driven industry and facilitate further opportunities for growth and expansion throughout the entire Chicagoland area. Time is the scarcest resource in our lives today, and these businesses are selling us time and convenience every bit as much as they are providing whatever product or service we are seeking.” 

1871 created the Economy of Now Forum as a result of the increasing influx of member companies into 1871 that are operating in the on-demand space. By providing these targeted opportunities, 1871 seeks to be Chicago’s central location for the on-demand companies currently scaling throughout the city. EON Forum events will occur regularly at 1871 to create a central location where on-demand businesses in Chicago and the Midwest can meet to explore relevant industry issues. The EON Forum will also provide opportunities for smaller workshops focusing on specific business challenges, joint collaboration events, and job fairs based on the needs of the companies involved with the council.

“Urban Leash is excited to have the opportunity to meet with other players and discuss key issues around the on-demand economy,” said Urban Leash CEO Lina Pakrosnyte. “Through this council, 1871 is creating a hub where Chicago’s on-demand businesses can address common issues and concerns in their industries, thereby keeping the city at the forefront of a field that is growing rapidly and on a global scale.”

The Economy of Now Forum kicked off on December 15 with a keynote from 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman, who addressed current trends in technology and what he calls the “surplus” economy. The event also included an open forum discussion led by 1871 COO Tom Alexander to address the goals of the council, as well as an opportunity for the attending businesses to network with others in the on-demand business space.  

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 Inc. Magazine, TechCrunch, The 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.