1871 WELCOMES SENTE INTERNATIONAL
STARTUP ACCELERATOR
Sente International Startup
Accelerator at 1871 to Create Opportunities for International Technology
Startups; Encourage Expansion in the United States via Chicago
CHICAGO (July 2, 2015)—1871 joined Sente Advisory Services
today to announce the launch of the Sente International Startup Accelerator at
1871. The program will bring groups of international startups to 1871 for specialized
programming designed to facilitate the development process for companies
seeking to expand in the United States.
“As the center of Chicago’s entrepreneurial
community and the nation’s largest digital startup hub, 1871 is uniquely placed
to showcase the abundant resources that allow entrepreneurs from across the
globe to come to Chicago and thrive,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “We are
excited to partner with Sente Advisory to expand our international involvement
and look forward to welcoming future cohorts from Sente to Chicago and 1871. We
believe Chicago is the premier point of entry to the US market for any
international company.”
The standard program with Sente Advisory is divided
into three stages over twelve weeks. During the first stage, participating startups
spend six weeks with the Sente team in their home countries to validate the
global strength of their ideas. Selected startups then dedicate the next two
weeks to preparing for their transition to Chicago by receiving direct
mentoring and participating in specialized programming. Finally, the cohort
moves to 1871 in Chicago for four weeks to immerse themselves in Chicago’s technology
startup ecosystem while completing their business development and fundraising
strategy. Throughout this last stage at 1871, the startups develop a list of
potential American clients and business partners and receive coaching on how to
pitch their businesses in the US market. 1871 has hosted three groups of
Turkish startups through its partnership with Sente Advisory, and will welcome
the fourth cohort in August of this year.
“Chicago, with its successful business heritage, its technology
ecosystem led by 1871, and its strong talent base, provides the best and
friendliest launchpad for international startups that are looking to expand and
enter the US market,” said Sente Advisory founder Serhat Cicekoglu. “The
program that we run at 1871 has proven to be an effective bridge between
emerging ecosystems with global solutions and the US market.”
Since its opening, 1871 has hosted thousands of foreign dignitaries and entrepreneurs
seeking to explore the entrepreneurial and technology industries in Chicago. In addition to the Sente cohorts, 1871 has hosted
international startups for the US Department of State’s Global Innovation
through Science and Technology Initiative (GIST). 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 Sente Advisory Services
Founded in 2008, Sente provides incubation and accelerator services to
startups in Turkey and other emerging startup ecosystems. Sente facilitates
entry into US markets for startups with strong opportunities for business
development and fundraising.
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 TechCrunch, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Tribune
and Crain’s Chicago Business among other top media. 1871 is the flagship
project of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.