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My latest OpEd in @CrainsChicago: As 1871 exits the Mart, a need — and an opportunity — opens up.
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Earlier this month, 1871 announced its departure from the Merchandise Mart, igniting debates about Chicago’s startup ecosystem. As a current founder and 1871 member, I know what many early-stage entrepreneurs need to succeed: focus and density. This shift is a pivotal moment for our tech scene.
Entrepreneurship is glorified suffering. Work at it for years, make a thousand good decisions, time it right, and you might bring your vision to life — improving the lives of your family, team, investors, and customers. It might just be worth it. But to survive the brutal early days of ideation, launch, product-market fit, and fundraising, founders need other founders who get it — swapping investor tips, critiquing products in real time, staying late at the office, and nodding knowingly over the rollercoaster. Silicon Valley thrives on this in-person, high-talent density; Chicago must too. Virtual communities, generic co-working spaces, and monthly meetups don’t cut it — I’ve tried.
At 1871, many founders I know felt our needs slipped from focus. It morphed into a broader ecosystem hub, juggling corporate programs, nonprofit partnerships, and university ties — worthy efforts, no doubt, but it no longer offers the strict founder focus a la Y Combinator. Now, Chicago must fill this gap with tight-knit, founder-first communities. Bright spots like @mhub for hardtech, Portal for life sciences, and, most recently, Density.Ventures, a founder-led collective for venture-scale software startups prove it’s possible, echoing the in-person focus 1871 once had.
While ecosystem hubs like 1871 are still needed to connect stakeholders, our strength is heavily tied to the success of our early-stage founders. They’re the spark for our economic flywheel.
To founders: Come join or build these vibrant spaces. To investors and exited entrepreneurs: Back them to fuel growth. To civic leaders: Partner with us — our fates are linked.
Chicago tech’s future depends on keeping founders at its core. Let’s make no little plans — and rebuild the communities we need.
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