🕒 4 min read

Chicago’s tech identity once revolved around 1871 — the entrepreneurial epicenter born inside the Merchandise Mart. But what started as a simple co-working hub became a movement that reshaped the city’s innovation culture. Even as it plans to leave its iconic home in 2025, the story of 1871 remains one of grit, rebirth, and collaboration — a model worth studying for anyone building something new in the digital age.

The rebirth of innovation

The name “1871” pays homage to the Great Chicago Fire — the disaster that destroyed much of the city but also gave birth to its relentless rebuilding spirit. A century and a half later, that same energy fueled a new kind of reconstruction: the digital one. The nonprofit incubator was founded in 2012 by the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center with support from civic leaders like J.B. Pritzker. Its mission: transform Chicago from a finance and logistics hub into a powerhouse for technology startups.

“Money never guarantees the innovation.”

— Myrin New

1871’s early founders focused on collaboration over competition. You could walk through the 12th floor of the Merchandise Mart and find coders, designers, and marketers huddled over ideas — not business plans for overnight riches. It wasn’t about chasing valuations; it was about building value.

What made 1871 different

• Real community – Hundreds of startups worked side by side, creating one of the most connected entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Midwest.
• Access to mentorship – Seasoned professionals and investors guided new founders, giving them practical tools instead of empty buzzwords.
• Programs with purpose – 1871 ran accelerators, diversity initiatives, and corporate partnerships that bridged academia, enterprise, and emerging tech.
• Events that inspired – Over 1,000 events annually brought together dreamers and doers across Chicago’s innovation spectrum.

For nearly a decade, 1871 was considered one of the top incubators in the world — even earning recognition as the “#1 private business incubator” in global rankings. It proved that innovation could thrive outside Silicon Valley if fueled by authentic collaboration.

Chicago’s ecosystem grows up

Chicago never wanted to imitate Silicon Valley. It built its own blueprint — grounded in logistics, design, healthcare, finance, and now artificial intelligence. 1871’s model connected startups to these sectors instead of existing in isolation. Partnerships with universities and the city’s corporate giants created real traction.

Even in 2025, as 1871 prepares to relocate from the Merchandise Mart, the city’s tech momentum continues. The move symbolizes an evolution — from the physical incubator era to more distributed, hybrid, and industry-specific innovation hubs. Chicago’s entrepreneurial DNA remains intact; it’s simply finding new ways to express itself.

Lessons for innovators and side hustlers

• Community fuels creativity: Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you. Whether online or local, your network is your catalyst.
• Focus before funding: Build something that solves a problem. Don’t let the chase for money overshadow the mission.
• Adapt to change: The post-COVID landscape demands flexibility. Like 1871, evolve your workspace and mindset when the world shifts.
• Play to your strengths: Chicago’s tech success grew from its existing industries. Identify your own expertise and build from there.
• Diversity drives innovation: The most resilient ecosystems include voices of all backgrounds, ages, and experiences — that’s where the breakthrough ideas live.

For those launching a side hustle, consulting business, or digital product, 1871’s journey offers both a blueprint and a caution: innovation is about community effort and consistent work, not hype. In your kitchen, basement, or corner café, you can mirror what Chicago built — starting with collaboration and curiosity.

The next frontier

As artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and automation reshape the workforce, the need for creative hubs remains — but the model will look different. The next “1871” may not be a building at all, but a digital ecosystem connecting local thinkers to global impact.

Innovation isn’t a zip code. It’s a mindset.

— TechMorsels by Myrin New

Chicago’s 1871 taught the world how to build that mindset: by turning fire into fuel, competition into community, and ideas into enterprises. The torch is still burning — it’s just waiting for the next generation of founders, dreamers, and reinvention seekers to carry it forward.

Learn more about 1871 at 1871.com or visit MyrinNew.com for more TechMorsels on innovation, AI, and the future of business.