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.