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[John Busch @JohnBuschVI]

My latest OpEd in @CrainsChicago: As 1871 exits the Mart, a need — and an opportunity — opens up.

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Earlier this month, 1871 announced its departure from the Merchandise Mart, igniting debates about Chicago’s startup ecosystem. As a current founder and 1871 member, I know what many early-stage entrepreneurs need to succeed: focus and density. This shift is a pivotal moment for our tech scene.

Entrepreneurship is glorified suffering. Work at it for years, make a thousand good decisions, time it right, and you might bring your vision to life — improving the lives of your family, team, investors, and customers. It might just be worth it. But to survive the brutal early days of ideation, launch, product-market fit, and fundraising, founders need other founders who get it — swapping investor tips, critiquing products in real time, staying late at the office, and nodding knowingly over the rollercoaster. Silicon Valley thrives on this in-person, high-talent density; Chicago must too. Virtual communities, generic co-working spaces, and monthly meetups don’t cut it — I’ve tried.

At 1871, many founders I know felt our needs slipped from focus. It morphed into a broader ecosystem hub, juggling corporate programs, nonprofit partnerships, and university ties — worthy efforts, no doubt, but it no longer offers the strict founder focus a la Y Combinator. Now, Chicago must fill this gap with tight-knit, founder-first communities. Bright spots like @mhub for hardtech, Portal for life sciences, and, most recently, https://t.co/Nj2YVgw86y, a founder-led collective for venture-scale software startups prove it’s possible, echoing the in-person focus 1871 once had.

While ecosystem hubs like 1871 are still needed to connect stakeholders, our strength is heavily tied to the success of our early-stage founders. They’re the spark for our economic flywheel.

To founders: Come join or build these vibrant spaces. To investors and exited entrepreneurs: Back them to fuel growth. To civic leaders: Partner with us — our fates are linked.

Chicago tech’s future depends on keeping founders at its core. Let’s make no little plans — and rebuild the communities we need.

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

This is our motivation.

A world without readers is a society without life.

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The ILIAD Activity Feed...has activity!

When you finish a book, make sure to share your thoughts with others. It could be someone's next book!

[John Busch @JohnBuschVI]

I’m buying you a book!

We just launched our affiliate partnership with Amazon today.

To test it, I’ll pay for your book (of the first 10 people) that your first purchase through our @IliadBooks app.

1. Download the ILIAD Books app
2. Find a book you want to buy
3. Click the Amazon Purchase option
4. Buy it through your Amazon account
5. Comment “purchased” below and I’ll DM you!

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

Don’t let the playoffs interfere with your page count!

[Yahoo Sports @YahooSports]

AJ Brown today:

1 catch
10 yards
5 pages read

(via @NFLonFOX)

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@DanButtersChi @RaymondALopez 👋

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NEW FEATURE ✨

The ILIAD Activity Feed!

Finish, rate, review, and share your book recommendations to your followers 🤓

Discover and save recommendations from others 📚

Algorithm-free.

[Ascend: The Great Books Podcast @TheGreatB00ks]

High schoolers can read the Iliad.

[John Busch @JohnBuschVI]

I can’t believe how long I put off reading this book.

The one, the only, The Godfather by Mario Puzo.

[John Busch @JohnBuschVI]

It’s not business, it’s personal.

📖 The Godfather - by Mario Puzo

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

Sherlock Holmes is more than your typical whodunnit.

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

A true classic.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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The beauty of pain means a deeper love.

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

[John Busch @JohnBuschVI]

What is happening at our universities?

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A modern tragicomic masterpiece.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

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The wisdom of wizards.

The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

Your desires are not your own.

Wanting by @lukeburgis

[ILIAD @IliadBooks]

Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist

[Compounding Quality @QCompounding]

American Hedge Fund billionaire Bill Ackman is a learning machine.

"You can learn investing by reading books."

Here are his 9 favorite investing books everyone should read: