On September 13, more than 300 human resources professionals and business leaders gathered at 1871 to witness disruption in motion. DisruptHR Chicago, a non-profit organization which aims to disrupt the human resources event industry and help reimagine the HR function, brought together some of the boldest and most imaginative minds to the stage for a rapid-fire, ignite-style evening of stimulating presentations that challenged the tired and outdated practices HR professionals face on a daily basis.

Every entrepreneur has a story of what inspired them to build their dream, and for some, the passion is in their bloodlines. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we're featuring the stories of our Latinx startup community and the family members who inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Today, Dan Trinidad, Founder of DealerFox, talks about his mom's unwavering support.

Every entrepreneur has a story of what inspired them to build their dream, and for some, the passion is in their blood. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we're featuring the stories of our Latinx startup community and the family members who inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Today, Marco Alcala, Co-Founder of Pyroweb, shares his story. 

Strong and Talented Crop of Tech Businesses Among Nominees for Momentum Award and Momentum Rising Star Award; Winners to be Announced at Largest Ever Momentum Dinner November 2

“The Open Internet exists today, and it is under attack.” That was the dire message Tom Wheeler, former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, had for the audience of the Benton Foundation hosted event at 1871 on September 18.

Every entrepreneur has a story of what inspired them to build their dream, and for some, the passion is in their bloodlines. For Hispanic Heritage Month, we're featuring the stories of our Latinx startup community and the family members who inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Today, Loretta Ivette Trevino, Director of Events at the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, talks about her dad's influence on her life. 

Since April, 1871 has been excited to play host to an innovative partnership program in our space, which has paired mentors from BMO Harris Bank with some emerging Fintech startups in Chicago. Since then, Peanut Butter, Spring Four, Genivity, Medean, Wealth Pool and Tru Crowd have been working closely with the mentors in the 1871 space, refining their value proposition and scaling up to partner or pilot their technology with a large bank like BMO.

Vunzai Yeazel, born in America and raised in Zimbabwe, has filled three passports traveling around the world to help women, and now she’s landed in Chicago to continue her mission through tech. The Gorgeous Within founder and CEO began her company in 2010, as a way to bring women together and empower them through workshops and events.

Cate Costa is an 1871 mentor and entrepreneurship development professional with more than ten years of experience as an entrepreneur herself and coaching founders in a variety of industries. In this guest blog, Costa takes a hard look at changes that need to be made among entrepreneurship support organizations in order to better and more earnestly support minority and female founders.