Monday, June 22, 2015

Goodcity Chicago Announces Partnership with 1871




Sylvia Perez and Merri Dee, Ambassadors for Goodcity Chicago at a recent GoodWorkChicago held at 1871.
Goodcity Chicago Announces Partnership with 1871
Partnership will empower communities throughout Chicago with technology resources, educational opportunities and events focused on fostering innovative solutions for underserved communities

CHICAGO (June 11, 2015) – 1871, Chicago’s leading hub for digital startups, joined Goodcity Chicago today to announce a partnership to bring technology to social entrepreneurs working in 31 under-resourced communities in the city of Chicago. The partnership will provide technology resources, educational opportunities, and community events to support entrepreneurship throughout the city.

“1871’s primary focus is on helping entrepreneurs develop successful businesses that are focused not just on raising money, but also on making a difference,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “We are excited to work with Goodcity to support the entrepreneurs that are working to address important issues in their communities, and believe that technology will allow these businesses to develop more efficiently and strategically.”

As part of their partnership, 1871 and Goodcity Chicago will create IDEASHARE, a platform to crowdsource and launch innovative ideas from individuals living in Chicago who are solving important issues within their communities. They will also promote technology investment through INVEST Chicago, a portfolio fund for social entrepreneurs managed by Goodcity Chicago. 1871 will provide mentoring, office space, and strategic advising as the fund develops. The fund will be focused on providing seed funding for entrepreneurs working to start a nonprofit or a for-profit business addressing issues in underserved Chicago communities.

In addition, the partnership will create and facilitate Idea Incubator events in local communities in order to identify the next generation of tech entrepreneurs creating impact. 1871 and Goodcity Chicago will also host events for members of 1871 to engage with entrepreneurs and community leaders around diversity in the technology industry and other issues facing under-resourced communities in Chicago.

“We are tremendously excited about our partnership with 1871. We believe it presents an exciting opportunity for the Chicago entrepreneurs Goodcity works with to learn and connect with 1871 visionaries who are developing incredible projects,” said Goodcity Chicago President Jimmy Lee. “We believe there is great innovation and good work happening in communities like Roseland, Humboldt Park, Austin, Lawndale, and this partnership will be mutually beneficial to both of our organizations.”

In April, 1871 hosted the launch of GoodWorkChicago, Goodcity Chicago’s three-day forum on fostering innovative social impact in Chicago with government leaders, nonprofit leaders, funders, and for-profit entrepreneurs. Those interested in learning more can visit http://www.goodworkchicago.org/.

About Goodcity
Goodcity is committed to identifying, starting and growing social entrepreneurs who are making a difference in under-resourced communities in the Chicagoland area. We work with both non-profit and for-profit organizations that promote self-sufficiency, hope and purpose in their communities. As a part of this effort, Goodcity has launched GoodWorkChicago and INVEST Chicago. Learn more at www.goodcitychicago.org.

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.
CONTACT
Goodcity Chicago
Jimmy Lee
jlee@goodcitychicago.org

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1871
Melissa Wooten
press@1871.com
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