TWO 1871 MEMBERS ATTEND GOOGLE EXCHANGE TRAVEL SUMMIT IN
DUBAI
Georama and TraknProtect Both Selected From Dozens of
Applicants; Innovative Program Brings Together 12 Leading Travel Businesses
From Around the World
CHICAGO (DECEMBER ##, 2015) – Two 1871 companies were
selected from a pool of global applicants to attend the first ever Google
Exchange Travel Summit in Dubai. Georama and TraknProtect both traveled to
Dubai for a week’s worth of high-level learning, corporate introductions,
networking and strategic thinking about the growth of their businesses.
“At 1871 we are deeply committed to finding new and exciting
opportunities that will help our members grow, scale, and monetize their
businesses,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “This sort of program is exactly
the type of opportunity that we are constantly looking for on behalf of our
membership, and we are proud that two of our companies have been selected. We look
forward to hearing about the results of their trip and watching the growth of
their businesses.”
The Google for Entrepreneurs network is a global network of
technology hubs, of which 1871 is a member. The Google Exchange program is a
new program designed to bring together leading technology companies from around
the world under specific vertical areas, including travel (Dubai), gaming
(Seoul), fashion (London), and scaling (San Francisco). More Google Exchange
programs are expected to be launched in the coming months.
“We are really excited to be part of this program,” said
Parminder Batra, founder and CEO of TraknProtect. “The program gives us an
opportunity to meet other travel startups from around the world, allows us to
meet key individuals from the hospitality industry, and provides us with ideas
and insights into opportunities in Dubai.” Batra is also a member of the
inaugural WiSTEM cohort at 1871.
“We are thrilled for Georama to be recognized for this
honor,” said Nihal Advani, founder and CEO of Georama. “It is critical for us
to expose as many people around the world as possible to our technology, so
opportunities like this are really important. I’m grateful to 1871 and Google
for all of their efforts on behalf of startups.”
The companies from 1871 were chosen out of dozens worldwide
who applied for the program. They traveled to Dubai on December 5 for a week of
programming and events.
About TraknProtect
TraknProtect is a tracking and analytics platform for the
hospitality industry. In the age of on-demand economy, TraknProtect helps
hotels deliver the gold standard of service to their guests while increasing
employee efficiency by allowing hotels to know the real time location of guest
requested items (such as cribs, rollaway beds, etc.). TraknProtect also
provides analytics and insights to allow hotels to lower inventory costs
through better understanding of how such items are used and how often.
TraknProtect recently completed a pilot at one of the largest convention hotels
in Chicago and was able to increase employee efficiency by 91% in delivering
guest-requested items. The company was also recently profiled through Skift as
one of the top 5 startups helping make general managers lives easier (http://bit.ly/1iONi5e). www.traknprotect.com
About Georama
Georama is the world’s first real-time virtual travel
platform. Through live, interactive guided tours, people can now go wherever
they want to go despite logistical, financial, or physical challenges.
Georama's patent-pending platform enables individuals and organizations to
broadcast live, mobile, HD video tours from a smartphone or wearable camera to
viewers around the world. Viewers can interact in real-time, empowering them
have a highly personal experience. Georama is currently focused on creating
authentic experiences in the travel and education spaces. Now through Georama,
a student states or oceans away can visit any campus they choose and people of
all backgrounds can travel wherever they like virtually. For more information,
please visit: www.georama.com
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.