1871

Meet the winners from last year’s Momentum Awards. These individuals and companies represent Chicago’s unmatched spirit of innovation, and this year, YOU could take the Momentum stage. Nominations close on June 10th! Submit your nominations today — you can nominate yourself or another company. View the awards criteria and begin your submission here: https://bit.ly/43wshoQ Plus, RSVP for the Momentum Awards ceremony, happening on September 25th: https://bit.ly/4lOjW7i

You never know who you’re going to meet in the role as CEO of 1871 … Getting connected to this team of extraordinarily creative people has been an absolute treat — and now I’m thrilled to help share what they’ve been building: The Ultimate Oz Universe. 🌪️📚 Over the past several months, I’ve had the chance to work alongside the visionary minds behind this effort — including Larry King, Lisa Neimark, @kevin mccollum and the team at AWA Studios (and many more) — as they bring the collected works of L. Frank Baum to life in a bold new way. Rooted in the storytelling legacy of Chicago, this project reimagines Oz for a new generation: epic, inclusive, and visually stunning. 💥 The Kickstarter is now LIVE — and this is your chance to be part of the magic from the very beginning: 👉 Ultimate Oz Universe Kickstarter I encourage you to: 🔹 Join the community 🔹 Support the campaign if you can 🔹 Stay tuned — this team has so much more in store And this is just the beginning. The vision behind Ultimate Oz is massive — and I can’t wait for the world to see where it’s headed next. 👀 🚀 🔥 🙌 #UltimateOz #Kickstarter #ChicagoCreators #Fantasy #Storytelling #LFrankBaum #AWAStudios #OzReimagined

Add to calendar 📅 1871’s BuildTech Innovation Summit is on July 16 & 17. Witness the pinnacle of Supply Chain and Construction Tech innovation, connect with potential partners, investors, and customers, and dive into BuildTech’s hottest topics — RSVP today: https://bit.ly/4hEGUvb If you’re a growth-stage founder innovating in the Supply Chain or Construction Tech industries, join our Portfolio for the chance to participate in the Startup Expo or pitch your solution before judges and investors: https://bit.ly/4jQYjlu

That’s a wrap on week one of WMNfintech: San Francisco edition 🎬! Annika Ng, Erika Bahr, Vanessa Galarneau, Gwyneth Borden, and Lerato Matsio enjoyed specialized tours of the BMO, DFPI, and Salesforce offices, a VIP happy hour and dinner, meetings with executives, investors, experts, and authors, and a pitch workshop. Next up, Immersive Week 2 in New York City!

Here is everything you need to know about BLKtech Founders, 1871’s program dedicated to supporting Black entrepreneurs. Applications close on June 23 — apply today: https://bit.ly/4kiVKbp Join an info session where a member from our team will answer any questions you might have! Info Session #1: June 2, 2025: https://bit.ly/458sxvo Info Session #2: June 6, 2025: https://bit.ly/3F1oRkF

Commemorate Juneteenth alongside your 1871 community! It’s more important now than ever that we celebrate Black empowerment and allyship — join us on June 18th for a rooftop party featuring drinks, bites, and beats from DJ Marcus 🎧! RSVP: https://bit.ly/44EZPlI Sponsored by Edelman and Molson Coors Beverage Company

In case you missed it… catch all of the highlights from 1871’s 8th annual ScaleUp Conference — from Alex at Hallow's founder journey to Oishii’s unbeatable brand strategy — now live on our blog! https://lnkd.in/efU8ARcj

Applications for BLKtech Founders Cohort 7 close on June 23! Through resources like expert-led workshops, access to a strong founder network, and curated discussions, innovators will overcome barriers to success and strengthen their solutions alongside a supportive, likeminded, and diverse community. Learn more about the program and apply: https://bit.ly/4kiVKbp Join and info session and have all of your questions answered: 6.2.25: https://bit.ly/458sxvo 6.6.25: https://bit.ly/3F1oRkF

“We need you to keep building, keep solving, keep showing up,” said 1871 CEO Betsy Ziegler at 1871’s 8th annual ScaleUp conference. “Your commitment to changing the world means something.” At ScaleUp 2025, a half-day event designed to equip founders and leaders with the insights and strategies they need to scale their business, attendees learned directly from entrepreneurs who have successfully navigated the growth stage. If you’re a founder, currently navigating the highs and lows of the growth-stage, 1871 offers resources to help you succeed. Explore our Growth Stage Membership today and gain access to investor connections, showcase opportunities, curated programming, and more! https://loom.ly/9MecxpM

Congratulations to 1871 Board Member Michael J. McMurray on being appointed by Mayor Brandon Johnson as Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation! Read about his role leading the 8th busiest airport in the world: https://lnkd.in/gRHfXFRq