1871 (tech incubator)

1871 (tech incubator)
Name	1871
Founded	2012
Founders	Hyde Park Angels; University of Chicago; Chicago Public Library
Type	Non-profit incubator
Location	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Headquarters	Merchandise Mart
Key people	Howard Tullman; Betsy Ziegler; ChicagoNEXT
Products	Startup acceleration; coworking; mentorship

1871 (tech incubator) is a technology incubation and entrepreneurship hub based in Chicago, Illinois, that provides workspace, mentorship, investment access, and programming for early-stage technology companies. Founded in 2012 amid efforts by stakeholders including the University of Chicago, Chicago Public Library, and private investors, 1871 became a focal point in Chicago's startup ecosystem alongside institutions such as Chicago Innovation Exchange, Techstars Chicago, Matter (accelerator), and Polaris Ventures. The organization operates physical campuses and virtual programs that connect entrepreneurs with corporate partners, angel networks, and civic institutions like World Business Chicago and Chicago Department of Aviation.

History

1871 launched in a converted floor of the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago, intended to anchor a technology cluster analogous to Y Combinator, Startupbootcamp, and Seedcamp. Early leadership drew from investor groups such as Hyde Park Angels and accelerator operators associated with Techstars alumni. Within its first years 1871 expanded programming, attracted membership from startups linked to universities including Northwestern University, University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, and DePaul University, and hosted events with civic partners like Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business. In response to growth, 1871 opened specialized vertical spaces inspired by models from Galvanize (company), WeWork, and Plug and Play Tech Center, aligning with corporate partners such as CME Group and Allstate.

Mission and Model

1871's mission emphasizes catalyzing entrepreneurship in Chicago by providing founder-centric resources modeled on precedents like Silicon Valley Bank's startup banking, 500 Startups' investment networks, and MassChallenge's zero-equity accelerators. The organizational model combines coworking, mentorship drawn from angel groups like Goldner Hawn Johnson & Morrison members, and partnerships with corporate innovation programs at McDonald's Corporation, United Airlines, and Accenture. Governance and funding reflect collaboration among civic economic development agencies including World Business Chicago, philanthropic organizations such as MacArthur Foundation, and venture funds like Lightbank.

Programs and Services

Programs at 1871 include cohort-based accelerators inspired by Y Combinator and Techstars, mentorship programs leveraging advisors from Kleiner Perkins-affiliated alumni, and corporate innovation initiatives modeled on Microsoft Accelerator. Services encompass coworking, legal clinics with law firms like Sidley Austin and Kirkland & Ellis, accounting and tax workshops drawing on Deloitte and Ernst & Young, and investor readiness training with participation from Baird and Chicago Ventures. Specialized vertical tracks have included fintech collaborations with CME Group and BMO Harris Bank, healthcare technology cohorts aligned with AbbVie and Rush University Medical Center, and retail technology partnerships with Sears Holdings and Walgreens Boots Alliance.

Partnerships and Funding

1871 has cultivated partnerships across corporate, academic, and philanthropic sectors. Corporate partners have included Microsoft Corporation, Google, Amazon Web Services, Mastercard, and PwC; academic partners include University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, and Illinois Institute of Technology. Funding sources have combined revenue from membership and events with grants and sponsorships from entities such as John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Community Trust, and municipal support via City of Chicago economic development initiatives. Investment channels into member startups frequently flow through angel networks like AngelList, venture firms including Kleiner Perkins-backed funds, and corporate venture arms such as Intel Capital.

Notable Alumni and Startups

1871 alumni roster includes startups that achieved regional and national recognition, with examples spanning fintech, healthtech, and enterprise software sectors. Notable companies that began or scaled at 1871 include startups that raised institutional rounds from investors like Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Benchmark (venture capital firm), and NEA. Alumni founders have gone on to speak at conferences hosted by SXSW, TechCrunch Disrupt, and Collision Conference, and have partnered with enterprises including UnitedHealthcare, Walgreens, and CME Group. Several alumni have been acquired by companies such as Salesforce, Oracle Corporation, and Microsoft.

Impact and Recognition

1871 has been cited by publications including The New York Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, and Chicago Tribune for its role in building Chicago's startup ecosystem alongside institutions like Catalyst Chicago and ChicagoNEXT. The incubator has won recognition from economic development organizations and received awards connected to entrepreneurship programming similar to accolades given to MassChallenge and Startup Weekend organizers. Its graduates’ fundraising, exits, and job creation contributed to metrics tracked by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and regional reports produced by World Business Chicago.

Category:Business incubators Category:Non-profit organizations based in Chicago