BMO Harris Bank announced on Wednesday it has teamed up with 1871 for the second annual Innovation Program. According to the bank, the startups accepted into the program will receive mentoring from the BMO Harris team, as well as access to the 1871 space and resources, which includes more than 500 workshops per year. The startups will also have a chance to win a cash prize of up to $25,000 (first place), $15,000 (second place), and $10,000 (third place) at the culmination of the program. The program will run from July to October.
BMO Harris Bank revealed to be eligible startups must have the following:
- Startups must have a technology startup that falls within one or more of the following sectors: lending, financial advice, digital functionality, and data analytics.
- Startups should have a beta product ready to demo.
- The startup’s team must consist of more than one person, all based in Chicago or the state of Wisconsin at the time of application.
- All startups that meet the above requirements are eligible. The startups are not required to be an existing member of 1871, gener8tor, or Kinnektor.
The deadline to apply for the 2018 BMO Harris/1871 Innovation Program is 8:59 a.m. CT on May 29th.