In a newly formed collaboration, DePaul University students, faculty and alumni will soon have access to one of Chicago’s rising tech outlets, connecting them with what appears to be the era of digital start-ups.
The university will be opening a dedicated space in 1871, an expanding entrepreneurial technology hub in Chicago, where DePaul members will be able to participate in its programming, special events, workshops, lectures and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
In its new 1871 space, DePaul faculty will be able to serve as mentors to 1871 members by showcasing their research. Mentors can conduct meetings in DePaul’s space, hold workshops and classes in 1871’s facilities and provide content for members, too.
DePaul marks the seventh Chicago university added to 1871’s University Row, joining the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, University of Illinois, DeVry University and Illinois Institute of technology.
As part of the partnership, the universities will be participating in Campus 1871, a weekend-long springtime event. The event brings together the best and brightest from each of the partner universities to create their startups with like-minded university students, according to a statement released by the university.
Bruce Leech, executive director of DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, said having a presence at 1871 is important to connect DePaul to the rest of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chicago.
“1871 provides all of the vital resources in one space — from business networking and mentorship to legal and financial support that can help students and alumni get their businesses started,” he added.
The four academic units participating in DePaul’s collaboration with 1871, include: the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center in the Driehaus College of Business, College of Computing and Digital Media, College of Law, and Academic Affairs.
That’s right, DePaul’s College of Law is serving as a key player in this partnership and while some people may find that unusual, DePaul College of law Dean Rosato Perea affirms the importance of what this means for the college.
“We recognize that law, business and technology are inextricably intertwined in today’s world, and lawyers and law students need to problem solve in contexts — like the ones offered at 1871 — where those disciplines all come together,” she noted.
