1871 LAUNCHES APPLICATIONS FOR THIRD ANNUAL CAMPUS 1871
Applications Now Open For Weekend-Long Startup Event;
Students From 1871’s University Partners Encouraged To Apply; Event To Take
Place April 8-10
CHICAGO (JANUARY 7, 2016) – 1871 today announced the opening
of applications for Campus 1871, a weekend-long startup event held each spring
for local university students. In its third year, Campus 1871 draws a diverse
set of students from each of 1871’s university partners to brainstorm business
ideas, learn about entrepreneurship, develop business plans, and pitch their
businesses to a panel of judges. 1871’s university partners include
Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois, Loyola
University Chicago, DeVry University, and Illinois Institute of Technology.
“Campus 1871 is the ideal opportunity to introduce students
to the entrepreneurial and tech community in Chicago,” said 1871 CEO Howard A.
Tullman. “The programming throughout the weekend leaves students excited and
inspired to pursue their entrepreneurial passions. Our goal is to retain talent
in the city by showing them why Chicago is the best place to start and build a
business and to have an impactful career with a wonderful quality of life.”
During Campus 1871, students divide themselves into teams
(with each team including hipsters, hackers, hustlers and dreamers) and spend
the weekend building out their business ideas. After joining a team and
deciding on an idea for their new business, students spend their time creating
their business plans, building prototypes, and developing their business
pitches. The program concludes with pitches from each of the teams, with
winners chosen by a panel of judges. Throughout the weekend, students have the
opportunity to hear speeches and receive mentorship from leaders in Chicago’s entrepreneurial
community.
“Campus 1871 is a wonderful opportunity for students to
collaborate on creative business ideas while also learning the various aspects
of entrepreneurship,” said University of Illinois President Tim Killeen. “The
event engages students from all academic backgrounds and shows them how
building a business, especially in Chicago, is an exciting and fulfilling
career path.”
Campus 1871 draws students from each of 1871’s university
partners, including Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University
of Illinois, Loyola University Chicago, DeVry University and Illinois Institute
of Technology. These universities all have dedicated spaces at 1871 where
students and faculty come to work on their businesses and immerse themselves in
Chicago’s entrepreneurial community. 1871 was recently ranked as the top
university-affiliated business incubator in the United States by UBI Global due
in large part to these relationships.
“During the course of a single weekend, Campus 1871 allowed
me to collaborate with students from other schools to explore the various
aspects of building a successful business,” said Jessica Chitkuer, member of
2015 Campus 1871 winning team LanguaLlama. “It was a great program that was
especially valuable in showing me how my academic and professional experiences
could help me pursue a more entrepreneurial career path.”
Applications for Campus 1871 are open through January 31,
2016. To learn more and apply, visit www.1871.com/Campus1871.
About 1871
1871 is the home of more than 350 early-stage, high-growth
digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, this 120,000 square foot
facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators
Techstars Chicago and the Good Food Business Accelerator; impact investing fund
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.