About Tech in the Middle

Today, the various groups and associations that define the Chicago area technology and entrepreneurial community largely generate their own resources from within. In talking with these groups, we continually hear that everyone wants to find some way to share their information and resources. Through sharing, we create a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. To effectively share, we need to communicate. In order to communicate, we need to know each other.

Attracting all of the different segments of the community (entrepreneurs, developers, designers, investors, universities, etc.) is probably the largest obstacle preventing this collective collaboration from becoming a reality. In order to effectively provide value for all the members of the community, representatives from each segment will have to work with one another to create the greatest value proposition. At its core, Tech in the Middle is a conference driven by the Chicago Technology community itself rather than any individual or small group.

Why Chicago?

Chicago has all the necessary components needed to create an ecosystem conducive to a technology hub similar to the Silicon Valley.

• Education

  We have top flight universities in DePaul, University of Illinois Champaign Urbana, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. This gives the area a lot of excellent researchers.

• Investment Capital

  Sources of investment are plentiful from those who have built their fortunes in manufacturing, the markets, logistics, healthcare and other verticals.

• Excellent Place to Live

  Chicago has the things that all people look for in a place they call home. We have great parks, a downtown with personality, world class museums, interesting neighborhoods, varieties of restaurants, plenty of sports teams, and nature activities close by.

• Business Environment

  The business tax environment is friendly when compared to other technology rich states such as California and Massachusetts.

Why Now?

The world economy is continually changing. The pace of innovation is still accelerating, creating opportunities for all. There is a huge opportunity, right now, to build a bigger, more vibrant tech community in Chicago. To get there, we must start somewhere. We at Tech in the Middle believe that one place to start a renaissance of the local community is at a conference. There, we will bring developers, entrepreneurs, investors, educators, and government together, acting as a catalyst for new friendships, new connections, and new businesses.