11 powerhouse tech companies have been nominated for the 11th annual Momentum Awards. Six finalists were selected for the category of the Momentum Rising Star Award, and five finalists were selected for the category of the Momentum Award. The winners will be announced at the 11th Annual Momentum Awards Dinner on November 15th.

Sales Assembly and 1871 are joining forces to enable VentureSCALE, the Midwest’s first and only sales and revenue focused accelerator, which operates exclusively out of 1871. We're excited to announce that VentureSCALE's Fall cohort launched yesterday with six amazing companies, which we've highlighted below.

1871 and the CEC's 11th Annual Momentum Awards Dinner will Recognize Discover as Corporate Champion; Linda Darragh and Ellen Rudnick as Entrepreneurial Champions; and Future Founders as the Chicagoness Award Winner.

1871 and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC) are proud to host the 11th Annual Momentum Awards Dinner. The dinner will celebrate emergent technologies, leaders, and opportunities that are demonstrating change and innovation. Furthermore, five awards will be presented for outstanding contribution and impact to the Chicago Tech and entrepreneur community.

1871 and All Nippon Airways (ANA) -- Japan's largest and 5-star airline for six consecutive years, are holding a joint speaking event titled 'Disruptive Technologies and the Future of Transportation' to discuss rapid disruption and innovation in the transportation industry. The event will take place at 1871 on October 30th.  

It’s no secret that diversity is still a major issue in the tech industry. While many tech departments may suffer from a lack of inadequate diversity practices, these problems are most often felt in the sales division. That’s why Sales Assembly, in partnership with Victory Lap and 1871, is launching the Sales Assembly’s Diversity Leadership Training Initiative today.

1871's eighth WiSTEM cohort will features 10 women-led businesses. To date, the 12-week program has graduated 88 companies and created more than 250 jobs. 

1871 and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), the Midwest’s largest Hispanic entrepreneur community, join forces to hold a five-part event series to celebrate, connect, and empower Hispanic entrepreneurs. 

FUND Conference returns to Michigan Avenue on October 25th in support of early stage companies and the entrepreneurial ecosystem. If you’re looking to meet active investors, make valuable connections, and learn from prominent business leaders, FUND Conference is the event to attend this fall! FUND connects growing businesses across all industries with accredited investors from over 25 states.

Relish Works and Gordon Food Service join 1871 to announce The Food Foundry, a 16-week accelerator program designed to support, connect, and propel innovative startups with solutions across the foodservice value chain (from farm to table).