Hindsight : GOING GLOBAL - 1871 and INcubes in Toronto

Friday, January 16, 2015

GOING GLOBAL - 1871 and INcubes in Toronto

1871 AND INcubes HOST SHOWCASE FOR INTERNATIONAL STARTUPS

Chicago-based 1871 and Toronto-based INcubes host “Going Global: INcubes & 1871” event

TORONTO (January 16, 2015)—1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman joined INcubes CEO Ben Zlotnick in Toronto yesterday to showcase ten companies from Chicago and Toronto that are prepared to expand internationally into the Canadian or US markets. The event included keynote addresses by US Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, Toronto Mayor John Tory, and Managing Director of Google Canada Sam Sebastian.

“It is critical for companies to be globally enabled from the earliest stages of their development in order to be successful in today’s economy,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “With access to capital, customers and talent, Chicago is the best place for international companies to launch into the US market. We are excited to continue our partnership with INcubes as we highlight the thriving startup ecosystems in Toronto and Chicago.”

“Toronto is ranked in the top 10 for global startup ecosystems, but our companies cannot focus only on the domestic market. For our companies, global expansion is a necessity, not an option,” says Ben Zlotnick, Founder of INcubes. “The Going Global series supports the best companies to do just that, leveraging the network of accelerators INcubes has developed around the globe to facilitate introductions, support partnerships and foster global expansion.”

The “Going Global: INcubes & 1871” event showcased a group of high-growth startups that operate in a variety of industries, including financial technology, health technology, tourism, security and the Internet of Things. Each of the ten companies selected to participate in the event had three minutes to present their business. Following their presentations, the companies had the opportunity to meet directly with attendees at a networking event.

Toronto-based companies that presented include:

• PatientServ – a cloud-based, fully secured application that allows medical practices to effectively manage their uninsured services.

• Limelight – an all-in-one experiential marketing platform integrating websites, email communications, on-site application and analytics for your experiential marketing campaign.

• nVest – a performance-tracked stock recommendation platform that helps investors gain credible information about the market.

• Change Room – a system to drive shopper loyalty during the webrooming experience.

Chicago-based companies that presented include:

• TraknProtect – a product to monitor and track personal valuables.

• Georama – an interactive travel discovery platform.

• Omicron Financial – a company that utilizes mobile and online tools to help young people expand their access to financial markets.

• Buy Side Design – a company that provides high-speed design and media for the financial industry.

• Dough – an online and mobile platform for do-it-yourself options investors.

• Xaptum – a company that provides the infrastructure behind real-time, smart-thing communication.

The Going Global event is the most recent component in the ongoing partnership between INcubes and 1871, whose relationship has fostered opportunities for entrepreneurs and expanded the Sister Cities connection between Chicago and Toronto. Both organizations are participants in the 1776 Challenge Cup, and INcubes mentor Tom Emrich recently brought the We Are Wearables meetup to 1871, the first time the event was hosted outside of Toronto.

Since its opening, 1871 has hosted thousands of foreign dignitaries and entrepreneurs seeking to explore the entrepreneurial and technology industries in Chicago. In June, 1871 hosted twelve international startups for the US Department of State’s Global Innovation through Science and Technology Initiative (GIST), and more recently hosted groups of companies from Colombia and Turkey that are interested in expanding to the United States. 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 INcubes

INcubes is a Toronto-based accelerator that teams up with emerging entrepreneurs and talented startups to create solid businesses out of innovative products and ideas. INcubes’ international network has attracted mentors and investors from across many regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. With its two flagship programs, the Funnel Program and the Acceleration Program, INcubes connects with the most forward-thinking entrepreneurs with goals of turning into international success stories.

About 1871

1871 is the home of more than 325 early-stage, high-growth 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 and the Internet of Everything; several emerging tech talent schools (The Starter League 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, MATH Ventures, Hyde Park Angels, OurCrowd and Chicago Ventures, as well as satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University, Loyola University Chicago 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.

From Left to Right: Lakshmi Shenoy (1871), Kristi Ross (TastyTrade/dough), Brenna Hardman (BuySide Design), Howard Tullman (1871), Atticus Francken (Omicron Financial), Barbara Pollack (1871), Parminder Batra (TracknProtect)