CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DeVry Education Group (NYSE:DV), a global provider of educational services, and 1871, Chicago’s entrepreneurial hub for digital startups, today announced the launch of an EdTech Incubator to attract and support the nation’s best education technology startups focused on improving teaching and learning in higher education.
“At 1871, we’re working to enable entrepreneurs to address some of education’s biggest challenges,” said Howard A. Tullman, 1871 CEO. “Chicago’s vast network of schools, educators and students presents a wide range of opportunities for technology to dramatically improve the way students receive education. These startups will offer flexibility, ease of access, cost-effectiveness and the ability to transform every student’s educational experience based on individual abilities and needs.”
Startups accepted into the EdTech incubator will receive access to educational leaders across DeVry Group’s institutions, which include American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education; Carrington College; Chamberlain College of Nursing; DeVry Brasil; DeVry University; Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. Together, they will prototype new technologies across a range of academic needs. In addition, startups that join the EdTech Incubator will receive mentorship, coaching and feedback to help improve their products and the opportunity to become long-term DeVry Group partners.
“DeVry Education Group’s diverse institutions provide a global test kitchen that can help startups create innovative educational technology and validate their beta products,” said Jeff Dunn, senior director of research and development at DeVry Education Group. “Working together, we can quickly assess the technology’s potential impact on a wide range of student experiences.”
DeVry Group plans to recruit two cohorts of three to five startups, each focused on specific domains or student challenges. The selection process will begin this fall, with the goal of having startups move into the EdTech Incubator space as soon as construction is complete. Startups will be considered along a spectrum of criteria, including new approaches to teaching, learning and improving student outcomes.
“We’re looking for innovators with big ideas, who can help us reimagine education for the digital age and the future,” Dunn said. “1871, well-known for attracting technology entrepreneurs from across the world, and the city of Chicago, with its bedrock of leading educational institutions, provides a unique opportunity for ed-tech companies. We’re excited to be part of this endeavor and are confident that we’ll see some very exciting educational technologies that will advance teaching and learning.”
As part of its commitment to the EdTech incubator and 1871, DeVry Group will offer business education workshops to help these startups grow and succeed, and events to engage Chicago’s community of higher-education experts.
The incubator will be located in 1871’s new 25,000-square-foot expansion space, which will also support incubators for food technology, financial technology, real-estate technology, the Internet of Things, woman-owned technology businesses and veteran-owned technology businesses. DeVry Group, a founding sponsor of 1871, will be the exclusive sponsor of the EdTech Incubator.
About DeVry Education Group
The purpose of DeVry Education Group is to empower its students to achieve their educational and career goals. DeVry Education Group Inc. (NYSE: DV; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a global provider of educational services and the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Carrington College California, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. These institutions offer a wide array of programs in business, healthcare, technology, accounting and finance.
About 1871
1871 is an entrepreneurial hub for digital startups. Located in The Merchandise Mart, the 75,000-square-foot facility provides Chicago startups with programming, access to mentors, educational resources, potential investors and a community of like-minded entrepreneurs that help them on their path to building successful businesses. 1871 is the flagship project of the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.
