It is a mistake to describe 1871 as a startup incubator. It is much more than that. Aside from being an accelerator, it is a clubhouse, an education facility, a meet up space, and…an incubator of incubators. Case in point, “The Bunker”. The Bunker is a technology incubator housed in 1871, focused on veterans-operated, veteran-focused startups. It is one of several focused accelerators planned for 1871.
The concept of these “vet-tech” businesses is brilliant because they make simple sense. Startups (and businesses of all types) need strong, creative leadership. Not only do veterans come with that leadership built in, they come with the ethos and experience that combines creativity and hard work into the mix.
In fact, The Bunker itself is run by such a leader. CEO Todd Connor is an Operation Iraqi Freedom Navy veteran, where he served aboard the USS BUNKER HILL. He is also a successful entrepreneur who recently led the city of Chicago’s military high schools program. “Great start-up businesses need great leaders who know how to ‘get it done’ amidst uncertain and challenging circumstances,” Connor tells us. “This is what veterans bring.” While you can occasionally catch him slipping into the vernacular of the military, within minutes of meeting him, you understand that he adds compassion and empathy to the valuable list of leadership attributes. And that mix is what will make The Bunker an important differentiator for Chicago’s startup scene.
Jaime Velez is a friend of mine and is the CEO & Founder of WebForce1 Corp. This was one of The Bunker’s first residents in the first cohort. He described the need for such an organization this way: “Not every veteran wants to transition to an employee role upon separation from active duty, and most are already built as entrepreneurs. We see problems, we take charge, and we don’t rest until the mission is completed. That’s what entrepreneurship is all about and that’s what we do”. He adds “I am honored to become part of the first cohort class of this outstanding community that shall serve as a model for many more to come”.
Microsoft shares Jaime’s and Todd’s view that vets helping vets build successful businesses is a powerful formula. Just ask Microsoft’s own Vice President of Military Affairs, Chris Cortez. A 33 year Marine and Commanding General himself, Cortez has said that “regardless of your profession, someone with experience within an organization should spend time with a person with less experience and help them through the learning process”. Cortez notes that vets bring specific applicable skills – which include teamwork, drive, determination and intelligence – to business. The Bunker will tap directly into those skills to give Chicago one more way to fuel our entrepreneurial engine.
