1871 and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) announced Monday the launch of a new incubator focused on fostering opportunities for Hispanic-owned technology companies. The incubator, which will launch in early October, will focus on a cohort of approximately 12 Hispanic- and/or Latinx-owned technology companies and will provide educational programming, resources, funding and technological support.
The director of the incubator will be Manny Ozaeta, who previously served as 1871’s Director of Membership, and the incubator will be operated as a full partnership between 1871 and IHCC.
“The IHCC has a long history of helping Hispanic businesses access the tools and resources they need to grow and succeed,” said Omar Duque, IHCC President and CEO. “Our intention in moving to 1871, Chicago’s epicenter of technology and innovation, was to continue in that vein, create more opportunities to support our existing membership, and design programming specifically for Hispanic companies to flourish in the digital marketplace.”
The joint incubator program will provide access to mentors and tailored content designed specifically around the individual businesses admitted to the incubator. It will also contribute to IHCC’s ongoing partnership with 1871, which supports Hispanic entrepreneurs, technology professionals, and students with educational programming, networking opportunities, and other resources.
“We are excited to welcome the first cohort of this joint incubator program to 1871 in the fall,” said Howard A. Tullman, CEO of 1871. “Through this collaboration, 1871 and IHCC are once again at the forefront of innovative economic development and the continued expansion of a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem in Chicago. This program will be a national standard and an example of how the technology ecosystem can provide opportunities for all entrepreneurs.”
Manny Ozaeta has worked for 1871 for nearly two years as Director of Membership and will transition to his new role as the director of the new joint incubator in September. Manny brings intimate knowledge of 1871, its member companies, and a strong understanding of the Hispanic business community. Manny has worked for a variety of organizations in Chicago, including Culloton Strategies and the Office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“Through this partnership between 1871 and the IHCC, we are giving access to a new generation of business leaders who will change and broaden the entrepreneurial landscape and undoubtedly elevate the overall tech community,” said Ozaeta. “As a Chicagoan, and as a Latino, I am extremely proud of these efforts, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to grow our community.”
1871 has previously partnered with IHCC, CODE2040, Chicago Urban League, ImBlackinTech, and Code Latino in an effort to increase opportunities for Hispanic and African American entrepreneurs. By leveraging resources from a number of corporate partners, these initiatives are designed to create a meaningful impact on diversity in the tech community and create opportunities for entrepreneurs throughout Chicago.
Applications are currently open and will be accepted through September 19, 2016. The as-yet unnamed program is slated to start on October 10, 2016 and will reveal its new brand prior to the start date.
For more information on the hispanic technology incubator, please contact Manny Ozaeta at manny@1871.com. Interested applicants can apply at: 1871.com/HispanicTech.
About the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC)
The Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) is the leading Hispanic business, networking, advocacy and development organization in the state of Illinois. IHCC empowers entrepreneurs to start and grow their businesses. We are a community of business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals committed to empowering individuals through economic growth. With decades of combined business experience, IHCC engages entrepreneurs through community advocacy, networking, and innovative one-on-one training designed to help them be leaders and agents of change in today’s world. We contribute to the financial strength of the economy by helping businesses create jobs, increase their revenue and be more profitable. For more info visit www.ihccbusiness.net.
