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Quigley Celebrates Start-Up Day Across America with Entrepreneur Roundtable at 1871

August 5, 2014

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) celebrated Start-Up Day Across America at 1871, Chicago’s premiere digital co-working center, where he met with local start-ups to discuss the importance of high-tech entrepreneurship and ways the government can support the industry.

“From Silicon Valley to Chicago, start-up businesses are fueling job creation and driving economic growth but taking tremendous financial risks in the process,” said Rep. Quigley. “Start-Up Day is an important reminder of how lawmakers and the broader community can support local entrepreneurs with policies and resources that foster innovation and help start-ups thrive. Here in Chicago, we are incredibly fortunate to have 1871 leading the way by bringing together the brightest technological minds in the area to share ideas, collaborate and create.”

New and young high-tech companies play an outsized role in national job creation, according to research from the Kauffman Foundation. Small businesses have produced 100% of the net job growth over the last 20-years, and start-up companies are producing an average of three million jobs annually. According to Start-Up America, nationwide, 27 percent of start-ups are owned by women and 33 percent of start-ups are owned by minorities. These start-up companies are involved in a variety of industries including technology, retail, healthcare, entertainment, consulting and education.

"Start-ups and entrepreneurs are the primary creators of new jobs in the United States," said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. "In Chicago, 1871's graduates have added nearly 500 jobs over the past two years. We are pleased to welcome Congressman Quigley to 1871 for Start-Up Day Across America as we discuss the policies that support innovation and highlight the critical role that 1871 members and other start-ups play in growing the United States economy."

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2014.08.05 Start Up Day

Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-05) meets with 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman and Chicago entrepreneurs in celebration of Start-Up Day Across America. (Photo courtesy of 1871)

Rep. Quigley is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, a group of congressional lawmakers that promotes policies that harness American ingenuity, innovation and entrepreneurship to grow our economy. He was a supporter of the 2012 Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act and cosponsored an original part of this legislation that focused on helping businesses raise the capital needed to expand and create jobs.

Located in the historic Merchandise Mart, 1871 is a 50,000-square-foot facility that provides Chicago start-ups with affordable workspace and access to mentors, programming, educational resources, potential investors and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Opened in May of 2012, 1871 is a project of the non-profit Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center (CEC).