The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn't really about the fire. It's about what happened next—a remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects, and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations—born of passion and practical ingenuity—shaped not just Chicago but also the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day.
1871 exists to inspire, equip, and support extraordinary tech businesses. We deliver unfair advantages at scale. The team supports members made up of Chicago's brightest digital designers, engineers, and leaders shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what's possible.
Come to a place where you can share ideas, make mistakes, partner with others, work hard, grow professionally and change the world with a bit of luck. If that sounds like you, join us!
1871 seeks a professionally driven, creative, and highly motivated intern to support our Events Team.
This internship is from June 5 to August 7, 2025, and is virtual with occasional on-site collaboration. Hours and time commitment may be flexible if agreed upon by the supervisor and the internship candidate prior to the start of the internship.
Duties and Responsibilities
This internship will focus on planning and executing hands-on/tactical events. Responsibilities include:
- Annual fundraising solicitation and raffle assistance (collecting logos, sourcing companies, outreach).
- Physical event maintenance: name tags, swag, set-up, creative visuals, etc.
- Workflow reviews and event building reviews.
- 187Fun leadership and planning.
- Assist in managing event inquiries inbox and drafting responses for both internal and external audiences.
- Liaise with management to identify, plan, and deliver upcoming event needs.
- Communicate with the facilities team regarding meeting space set-ups, needs, dates, and times.
- Currently enrolled at an accredited university (recent grads will also be considered) with a focus in business, human resources, or a related field preferred.
- Experience planning events.
- Interest in actively learning about event planning and development.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks.
- Creativity to develop new event concepts.
- Strong interest in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- Self-starter with the ability to work autonomously and in cross-functional teams.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
- Comfort with interviewing entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Advanced computer processing skills, including Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
- Letters of recommendation from our leadership team.
- College credit (upon school approval).
- Work with some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs and startups in the country.
- Develop in-demand skills and enhance your resume with hands-on experience.
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What We Do
The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the fire. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day. Chicago’s brightest digital designers, engineers and entrepreneurs are shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what’s possible.
1871 is Chicago’s innovation hub and the #1 ranked private business incubator in the world. It exists to inspire, equip, and support early stage, growth stage and corporate innovators in building extraordinary businesses. 1871 is home to ~400 technology startups, ~200 growth stage companies, and ~1,500 members, and is supported by an entire ecosystem focused on accelerating their growth and creating jobs in the Chicagoland area. The member experience includes virtual and in person access to workshops, events, mentorship, and more. The nonprofit organization has 350 mentors available to its members, alongside access to more than 200 partner corporations, universities, education programs, accelerators, venture funds and others. Since its inception in 2012, more than 850 alumni companies are currently still active, have created over 14,500 jobs, and have raised more than $3.5 billion in follow-on capital.
Come to a place where you can share ideas, take initiative, work hard, grow professionally and, with a little luck, change the world. If that sounds like you, come join us.
Welcome to 1871.
**Please note, the jobs on our job page are positions with our startups.
