Dive Brief:
- Loyola University in Chicago will join the city’s tech incubator, 1871, joining other area universities in setting up a new workspace.
- Campus Technology reports the 1871 membership will give Loyola students a chance to interact with local entrepreneurs and 1871 members an opportunity to use Loyola faculty as mentors and resources.
- Working among the 325 digital startups are students from Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, University of Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology, according to the article.
Dive Insight:
Developing strong ties to the Chicago tech startup community may help Loyola compete with schools in Silicon Valley. Many cities are trying to cluster their tech entrepreneurs to promote collaboration and speed innovation. For universities in those cities, joining the incubators benefits both sides. As Campus Technology reports, Loyola professors are already working as mentors to tech startups in 1871 who have received diversity scholarships. The office space in Chicago’s historic Merchandise Mart can be pricey and the scholarships have given the incubator a way to attract a more diverse group of entrepreneurs.