Quigley Celebrates Startup Day Across America with Entrepreneur Roundtable at 1871

CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) met with local startup companies at 1871, a digital co-working center, to discuss the importance of high-tech entrepreneurship and ways the government can support the industry. The event was held in conjunction with Startup Day Across America, an initiative of Engine, a technology research and education foundation.

New research published by Engine and the Kauffman Foundation highlights the outsized role played by new and young high-tech companies in national job creation. Each year, startups create an average of three million jobs across America, and without startups, there would have been no net job growth in the U.S. over the last 3 decades. Over the last three decades, the high-tech sector has been 23 percent more likely than the private sector as a whole to see new business formation.

"By fueling job creation and promoting innovation, 1871 and the startups utilizing this space play a vital role in America's long-term economic growth," said Rep. Quigley. "Lawmakers and the broader community must work together to support local entrepreneurs with smart policies and resources that will help their startups thrive."

Rep. Mike Quigley meets with local startup entreprenuers at the digital co-working center 1871.

"It's great to have Congressman Quigley visit 1871 to gain a better understanding of Chicago's dynamic startup community, the contributions they are making to our state's economy and what tools and support they need in order to expand and succeed," said Jim O'Connor, Jr., interim CEO and Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors, CEC & 1871.

"In a nation still emerging from an historic recession, it is vitally important -- now more than ever -- that we bolster the job-creating power of technology startups," says Mike McGeary, Chief Strategist for Engine. "Facilitating conversations between lawmakers and startups will engender mutual understanding that can positively impact the creation of policy important to tech startups."

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 and create jobs. He recently held a similar event with local manufacturers and educators to discuss the critical role science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education plays in the growth of the industry.

Located in the historic Merchandise Mart, 1871 is a 50,000-square-foot facility that provides Chicago startups 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).

Engine is a research and education foundation that supports the growth of technology entrepreneurship through economic research, policy analysis, and advocacy on local and national issues. Engine has worked with the White House, Congress, federal agencies, state and local governments, and also international advocacy organizations to educate and inform them of the changing face of American high-tech entrepreneurialism.