Chicago-based technology incubator 1871 hosts WiSTEM, a unique program designed to cultivate success and opportunities for women in technology. The 12 companies and their founders began a sixteen-week curriculum in September. Twelve women led companies, including SpringFour make up the third cohort of WiSTEM 1871’s “The fundamental goal of WiSTEM has always been to produce, support, and positively impact the lives of women entrepreneurs,” said 1871 CEO Howard A. Tullman. “WiSTEM has surpassed and continues to surpass these goals by cultivating an environment that balances business and community and fosters opportunities across a wide spectrum. We are excited to welcome this new cohort of women to WiSTEM and the 1871 community.”

A focus on fostering opportunity for women entrepreneurs in technology has been a key objective for 1871. As part of the WiSTEM effort, it is customary for 1871 to welcome women business leaders to share their stories with the entire community. United States Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith, FirstLady Diana Rauner, Springboard Ventures founder Kay Koplovitz, uBeam founder Meredith Perry, Vosges Haut-Chocolat founder Katrina Markoff, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), and Digital Citizen Fund co-founder and CEO Roya Mahboobhave all recently visited 1871. 1871 has made it a point to connect with other women-led organizations such as Ms. Tech, Women Tech Founders and Lesbians Who Tech to create and host events centered around women entrepreneurs.Additionally, it was recently announced that 1871 would be the host location for Reboot Academy, an innovative organization that trains women for re-entry into the technology workforce.

“It has always been my mission to inspire and empower women entrepreneurs, ” says Vosges Haut-Chocolat founder Katrina Markoff. “The new cohort will undoubtedly help shape America’s culture, economy, and future at large.”

The members of the third WiSTEM class are:

Neurocern -Anitha Rao, MD, Co-Founder and CEO

Recordly – Anna Maikova,  Co-Founder, Yaryna Mykhyalyshyn, Co-Founder, Sintia Radu, Co-Founder

Wekaw – Angela Wang, Founder, and CEO

WeSolv – Stella Ashaolu, Founder, and CEO

ClassCrasher – Marylynne Schwartz, Founder + Ellena Berger, Co-Founder

TheSocReports – Carol Fowler, Co-Founder, and CEO

FetchFind – Jamie Migdal, Founder, and CEO

SpringFour – Rochelle Gorey, Co-Founder, and CEO

Taylored Wines – Rachel Portell, Founder, and CEO

Kaizen Health – Mindi Knebel, Founder, and CEO

VirtualKEY – Resha Shroff, Founder, and CSO

Olfactif – Tara Swords, Co-Founder, and CEO