Loyola U joins
Chicago tech incubator
Dive Brief:
- Loyola University in Chicago will join the city’s tech incubator, 1871, joining other area universities in setting up a new workspace.
- Campus Technology reports the 1871 membership will give Loyola students a chance to interact with local entrepreneurs and 1871 members an opportunity to use Loyola faculty as mentors and resources.
- Working among the 325 digital startups are students
from Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, University of
Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology, according to the article.
Dive Insight:
Developing strong ties to the Chicago tech startup community may help Loyola
compete with schools in Silicon Valley. Many cities are trying to cluster their
tech entrepreneurs to promote collaboration and speed innovation. For
universities in those cities, joining the incubators benefits both sides. As
Campus Technology reports, Loyola professors are already working as mentors to
tech startups in 1871 who have received diversity scholarships. The office
space in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart can be pricey and the scholarships
have given the incubator a way to attract a more diverse group of
entrepreneurs.
Recommended Reading
Campus Technology: Loyola U takes space in Chicago digital incubator
Loyola U Takes
Space in Chicago Digital Incubator
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 05/27/15
A Chicago university has joined several other
institutions in setting up a workspace in a digital incubator to put its
students and faculty in direct contact with area entrepreneurs. Loyola University Chicago has
begun working with 1871,
which houses 325 digital startups.
The name of the non-profit organization refers to the
year when Chicago suffered its "great" fire, after which engineers,
architects and investors came together to design and construct a new city. The
entrepreneurial hub is located in Chicago's iconic Merchandise Mart, a structure
built in the 1920s and LEED certified in 2007.
Other schools that have already set up space in 1871
include Northwestern
University, the University
of Illinois, the University
of Chicago and the Illinois
Institute of Technology.
The Loyola workspace will also allow 1871 to put its
members in contact with Loyola faculty who are interested in serving as
mentors. One new project has connected instructors from the university's
schools of law, communication and business with people who received "diversity"
scholarships from 1871. These recipients have met for several months with six
faculty members for coaching. This summer, high school students participating
in Loyola's "Pre-College Summer Scholars" program may also be taken
on a field trip to 1871 as part of week-long camps that explore leadership and
innovation.
"As a university, we are committed to connecting our
students with opportunities both within, and beyond, Loyola's campuses," said
Provost John Pelissero. "This opportunity to partner with 1871 and its
entrepreneurial community benefits all of our students--undergraduate and
graduate--and demonstrates our commitment to preparing students for a lifetime
of leadership and innovation."
