Challenge Cup Global Startup Competition Launches in Chicago

For Immediate Release

Challenge Cup Global Startup Competition Launches in Chicago

Application Period Open for Startups in Education, Healthcare, Energy and City Challenges

Chicago, U.S.A.—September 26, 2013—Today, 1871, a co-working hub for digital startups, in partnership with 1776, a Washington, D.C.-based incubator platform located a few blocks from the White House, announced the opening of Challenge Cup applications for Chicago and the surrounding region. Challenge Cup is a startup competition spanning 16 cities around the world and culminating in Washington, D.C. to find the world’s most promising startup tackling education, healthcare, energy and city challenges.

Startups interested in competing can apply now through October 11th at challengecup.1776dc.com/apply.

The Midwest region’s competition will be hosted at 1871 and will feature a 2-day “pop up accelerator” including mentorship sessions from Challenge Cup judges, investors and prominent local entrepreneurs.

Startups will compete in the following categories:

• Education: Helping more people receive high-quality education opportunities while reducing costs
• Health: Improving health outcomes while reducing costs
• Energy: Powering expanding populations around the world while reducing harmful side effects
• Smart Cities: Making cities more safe, convenient and sustainable in areas such as transportation, public safety and government services

The competition will culminate in a week-long festival produced by 1776 in partnership with Tech Cocktail in May 2014 in Washington, D.C. that will bring together 64 winning startups from around the world—along with corporate partners, investors, policymakers and media—to crown the winner of the Challenge Cup. The top eight finalists will all receive an investment from 1776.

”We are thrilled to officially open the competition and start fielding applications in our first eight cities,” said Donna Harris, co-founder of 1776. “Challenge Cup will shed light on startups addressing the most pressing, global challenges and help to forge new connections and close gaps within the global startup ecosystem. Let the competition begin!”

Challenge Cup was kicked off by a $180,000 grant from the District of Columbia and is being produced in partnership with Tech Cocktail and iStrategyLabs. Global Partners also include The Aspen Institute and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 1776 is also partnering with Global Entrepreneurship Week, embassies and trade groups internationally and a global network of incubators to help organize and promote the events in their countries.

“Challenge Cup highlights one of the core principals of 1871 – entrepreneurial innovation. We are excited to partner with 1776 and be one of the 16 host cities to identify some of the nation’s brightest entrepreneurs as they compete against their peers to solve global challenges through innovation,” said Melissa Lederer, CMO of Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center and 1871.

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About Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup is a global competition to identify and celebrate the most promising startups tackling the biggest challenges. Startups with the potential for transformative solutions in areas of global importance will compete in regional competitions in 16 cities around the world from October 2013 through March 2014.

Challenge Cup will conclude with a festival in Washington, D.C. in May 2014 during which the finalists from the regional competitions will compete for the final Challenge Cup. The festival will also include themed meetups, a policy day, and other community events. For more information, visit: challengecup.1776dc.com

About 1776
1776 is a major initiative focused on helping entrepreneurs seeking to reinvent our lives as citizens. Located just blocks from the White House, 1776 convenes and accelerates startups from around the world by connecting them to the political, intellectual, social and financial capital that make Washington, DC unique. Visit http://www.1776dc.com or @1776dc on Twitter for more information.

About 1871
1871 is the flagship project of The Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC), a non-profit organization that supports entrepreneurs on their path to building high-growth, sustainable businesses that serve as platforms for economic development and civic leadership. 1871 fulfills the CEC’s vision of a central address for entrepreneurs in Chicago. CEC runs and operates the workspace, develops programming, organizes events and ensures that the culture of 1871 allows entrepreneurs the greatest opportunity for success. Visit http://www.1871.com or @1871Chicago on Twitter for more information.

Media Contact:
1776
Lisa Throckmorton
703-287-7803
1776dc@speakerboxpr.com

1871
Melissa Lederer
312-543-9537
melissa@1871.com