mHUB, 1871, CODE 2040 Host First LATINXTECH Edition of Startup Weekend in Chicago in Parallel with NYC, Miami, Los Angeles and Oakland
Innovation centers, including hardware incubators, collaborate to support diversity in tech entrepreneurship focusing on Chicago’s largest minority group
CHICAGO, IL, Sept. 18, 2017 --- CODE 2040, 1871, and mHUB are pleased to host and support the first Latinx edition of Techstars Startup Weekend, focusing on empowering and highlighting Latinx entrepreneurs and technologists in Chicago. The event will take place on Friday, September 29th to Sunday October 1st, with the awards ceremony at 7pm on Sunday at mHUB Chicago. Throughout the Startup Weekend, VC and industry experts will work with technical and non-technical participants to help them go from idea to pitching a business in only 54 hours.
“Techstars Startup Weekend is a unique opportunity to bring together members of the Latinx community from across the city to collaborate and share ideas,” said Kristen Sonday, the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Code2040 at 1871, and an event sponsor. “1871 and mHUB both offer incredible resources and mentors to new entrepreneurs, and I can’t wait to see what the teams develop.”
Startup Weekend is one of many Techstars programs aimed at educating and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. This Latinx edition is part of a national effort to inspire potential entrepreneurs in the Latinx community to breathe life into their ideas and learn how to bridge the gap from ideation to business plan. Parallel events will take place in Los Angeles, Miami, NYC and Miami on the same weekend. The goal is to support the creation of 50 Latinx lead ventures at the end of the nation wide event.
“Startup Weekend is the only event where participants gain more in the process than in winning the competition.” said Cynthia Macias, Programming Manager at mHUB and lead Techstars Startup Weekend Organizer, “We’re proud to join forces with 1871 and CODE 2040 to give the Latinx Tech community the opportunity to have this experience for the first time in Chicago. Supporting diverse participation in technology innovation and entrepreneurship is critical for the growth of an innovative ecosystem and this event is a great example of how Chicago as a community supports diversity in technology and entrepreneurship.”
Participants will be coached and judged by Chicago’s leading entrepreneurs, business and investment leaders including, Samara Hernandez, Investor at MATH Ventures, Cate Costa, Founder at Venture Catalyst Consulting, Nick Delgado, Founder at Dignitas Capital, Eric Vazquez, previous Startup Weekend Winner and current Chicago City Technology Officer.
“1871 is proud to be a part of this effort to inspire and empower Latinx entrepreneurs in the Chicago tech ecosystem,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “This event is a prime example of how Chicago tech organizations share the critical mission of further diversifying the entrepreneurship community and bringing more voices to the table.”
The next big thing in tech to impact the Latinx community is not going to come out of the current demographics of Silicon Valley. Latinx are still vastly underrepresented in tech. This startup weekend aims to be a platform for aspiring Latinx entrepreneurs to innovate and create tech business ideas that reflect their ideas and perspectives.
EVENT DETAILS:
Friday, September 29, 6:30pm: Event Begins at 1871
Sunday, Oct 1, 5pm: Event Judging/Awards Presentation at mHUB
Event Link: http://communities.techstars.com/usa/chicago/startup-weekend/11594
Techstars Startup Weekends are 54-hour events designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs, beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation. To learn more visit: http://swlatinx.tech/#
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About Techstars Techstars helps entrepreneurs succeed. Through the Techstars Worldwide Entrepreneur Network, founders and their teams connect with other entrepreneurs, experts, mentors, alumni, investors, community leaders, and corporate partners who will help their companies grow. Techstars operates four divisions: Techstars Startup Programs, Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Programs, Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships, and the Techstars Venture Capital Fund. Techstars Mentorship-Driven Accelerator Program supercharges success and Techstars Startup Programs inspire, educate and connect entrepreneurs. Techstars Venture Capital Fund invests in the most innovative and disruptive Techstars companies to fuel their success. Techstars Corporate Innovation Partnerships helps brands create world-changing products and services. Techstars accelerator portfolio includes more than 1,000 companies with a market cap of $8.1 billion. www.techstars.com About Startup Weekend Startup Weekends are 54-hour hands-on experiences where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if startup ideas are viable. Designed to provide superior experiential education for technical and non-technical entrepreneurs, beginning with Friday night pitches and continuing through brainstorming, business plan development, and basic prototype creation. Startupweekend events are global, you can find an event every weekend of the year in cities and towns all over the world. http://www.techstars.com/startup-weekend/ |
About Code 2040
Code2040 is a nonprofit organization that creates pathways to educational, professional, and entrepreneurial success in technology for underrepresented minorities with a specific focus on Black and Latinx people. Code2040 aims to close the achievement, skills, and wealth gaps in the United States. Their goal is to ensure that by the year 2040 - the start of the decade when the US will be majority people of color - we are proportionally represented in America's innovation economy as technologists, investors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs. http://www.code2040.org/
About mHUB
mHUB is Chicago’s innovation center for physical product development and manufacturing. mHUB is a co-working community of product designers and developers, entrepreneurs, engineers and manufacturers, a network of manufacturing mentors, industry experts and investors, and a source of intellectual and economic capital. mHUB is home to ten shops and labs, including electronics, plastic fabrication, metals and rapid prototyping as well as a microfactory for small production runs. www.mhubchicago.com
About 1871
Founded in 2012, 1871 was created to support Chicago’s digital startup community. Since that time, it has become the hub for the city’s thriving technology and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Today, 1871 is the home of more than 400 early-stage, high-growth digital startups. Located in the Merchandise Mart, this 150,000 square foot facility is also the headquarters of nationally recognized accelerators, industry-specific incubators, tech talent schools, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, a number of Chicago-based VCs, and satellite offices for Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, DeVry University, and DePaul University. www.1871chicago.com
SOURCE: 1871, mHUB and CODE 2040
Event page: http://communities.techstars.com/usa/chicago/startup-weekend/11594
Startup Weekend Twitter: @SWChicago
