Supply Chain Innovation Lab

What Supply Chain Innovation Lab does

Supply Chain Innovation Lab is a sector-specific, cohort-based innovation program operated by 1871, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit global innovation hub headquartered in Chicago and founded in 2012 in the Merchandise Mart. The program is one of more than ten vertical innovation labs under 1871's umbrella — alongside AI, Climate Tech, Construction Tech, FinTech, FoodTech, Health Tech, InsurTech, Sports Tech, and Web3 labs — and is purpose-built to advance technology adoption within supply chain management by curating growth-stage and late-stage startups and connecting them with corporate partners, institutional investors, and industry experts during immersive programming weeks.

The lab's core deliverable is cohort programming: selected supply chain technology startups gain access to workshops, mentorship, curated introductions to enterprise buyers, and visibility through 1871's broader event calendar (Innovation Summits, Momentum Awards, Career Fair, and pitch competitions). The 2024 cohort was run in partnership with Accenture as a Core strategic and co-development partner. Distribution runs through 1871's owned channels, including its Hivebrite community portal, newsletter, the "Member Spotlight" YouTube vlog, and its LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook accounts — channels shared across all 1871 labs rather than ring-fenced for the supply chain vertical.

As a nonprofit, 1871 — and therefore the Supply Chain Innovation Lab — does not operate on a traditional commercial revenue model. The parent organization is funded through corporate membership fees (200+ corporate innovator partners), programming and event revenue, and charitable donations via its Annual Fund. Pricing for individual Supply Chain Innovation Lab participation is not publicly disclosed. The lab's strategic value to 1871 is primarily brand, sponsor-relationship, and pipeline reinforcement rather than direct top-line contribution.

Name

Supply Chain Innovation Lab

Legal name

1871

Website

https://1871.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Supply Chain Innovation Lab is a cohort-based innovation program run by 1871, a Chicago nonprofit innovation hub. It connects growth-stage supply chain startups with corporate partners, investors, and mentors, with Accenture as a 2024 strategic partner.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Startup Accelerator / Innovation Lab Program

NAICS

Process, Physical Distribution, and Logistics Consulting Services (541614)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Accelerators & Startup Programs (FSANAHAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Supply Chain Strategy & Network Design (BPAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Innovation lab programs
• Startup accelerator services
• Cohort-based programming
• Corporate startup partnerships
• Supply chain technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Supply Chain Innovation Lab is a sector-specific, cohort-based innovation program operated under 1871 (a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit innovation hub). It selects growth-stage and late-stage supply chain technology startups and runs them through structured immersion weeks, workshops, mentorship, and showcase events, while facilitating introductions to 1871's network of corporate partners (e.g., Accenture for the 2024 cohort), investors, and industry experts to support pilots, commercial validation, and fundraising. The offering targets both startup founders seeking ecosystem access and corporate partners seeking supply chain tech deal flow and innovation engagement.

Product overview

The Supply Chain Innovation Lab is a dedicated innovation lab program under 1871, a nonprofit global innovation hub. It is one of multiple sector-specific labs (alongside AI, Construction Tech, Climate Tech, Fintech, FoodTech, Health Tech, InsurTech, Sports Tech, and Web3 labs) that provide a platform for startups, industry leaders, investors, and venture capitalists to collaborate. The Supply Chain Innovation Lab focuses on driving technological advancement and innovation in supply chain management, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and industry-specific expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Supply Chain Innovation Lab: One of 1871's Innovation Labs focused on supply chain innovation and technology solutions.
• AI Innovation Lab
• Fintech Innovation Lab
• FoodTech Innovation Lab
• Climate Tech Innovation Lab
• Health Tech Innovation Lab
• InsurTech Innovation Lab
• Sports Tech Innovation Lab
• Web3 Innovation Lab
• Construction Tech Innovation Lab
• WMNfintech
• BLKtech Founders
• LTNtech Founders
• WMNtech Founders
• Momentum Awards

Products and services

• Supply Chain Innovation Lab A cohort-based innovation lab program operated under the 1871 innovation hub. It selects supply chain technology startups (growth-stage, late-stage, and relevant corporates) and runs structured cohort programming — including immersion weeks, workshops, mentorship, and showcases — to connect them with 1871's corporate partners (e.g., Accenture for the 2024 cohort), investors, and industry experts for pilots, commercial validation, and ecosystem engagement. Designed for supply chain tech founders and the corporate partners sponsoring or participating in the cohort.

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Accenture partnered with 1871 for the 2024 Supply Chain Innovation Lab, providing industry expertise and corporate partnership support to supply chain technology startups in the cohort.
• 1871coreStrategic or Co-development Partner1871 hosts the Supply Chain Innovation Lab as part of its Innovation Labs portfolio, providing the infrastructure, community, mentorship network, and corporate partnership access for supply chain innovators.

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MassChallenge: Global nonprofit startup accelerator with a cohort-based model and corporate partnership network analogous to 1871's broader hub structure. Comparable as a nonprofit ecosystem builder, though not exclusively supply chain focused.
• Y Combinator: The largest and most well-known global startup accelerator, frequently funding supply chain, logistics, and procurement startups within a generalist program. Comparable in being a cohort-based startup accelerator, but operates at much greater scale and with generalist rather than sector-specific positioning.
• Techstars: Global accelerator network with supply chain and logistics-relevant programs and a well-developed mentor/sponsor ecosystem. Comparable as a cohort-based startup accelerator, but operates broadly across sectors with deeper global brand recognition than the regional Supply Chain Innovation Lab.
• Flexport: Large digital freight forwarder and logistics platform that has run startup partnership and pilot programs in supply chain technology. Comparable as a supply chain technology ecosystem player, though operates as a commercial logistics business rather than an accelerator program.

Direct peers

• Plug and Play Tech Center: Global innovation platform that runs a dedicated Supply Chain & Logistics vertical connecting enterprise partners (often Fortune 500 shippers, 3PLs) with growth-stage startups via cohort-based programs. Closest functional analog to 1871's Supply Chain Innovation Lab.
• Maersk Growth: Maersk's corporate venture and accelerator arm focused on supply chain, logistics, and trade startups. Directly comparable as a corporate-backed innovation program targeting the same supply chain startup founder pool with a cohort-style engagement model.
• Prologis Ventures: Corporate venture arm of the largest logistics real estate operator globally, investing in and partnering with supply chain and logistics technology startups. Comparable as a logistics-industry corporate program serving the same supply chain innovation thesis.
• DHL Innovation Center: DHL's corporate innovation program running startup collaborations and pilots focused on logistics, supply chain, and last-mile technology. Directly comparable in operating model (corporate-sponsored supply chain startup engagement) and customer base (enterprise logistics buyers).
• SAP.iO: SAP's corporate startup accelerator program with explicit supply chain and logistics verticals, offering enterprise go-to-market support and co-innovation with SAP's enterprise customer base. Comparable in being a corporate-backed accelerator that funnels B2B supply chain startups into enterprise deals.

Emerging players

• Forum Ventures: Early-stage venture firm and operator of supply chain and B2B commerce accelerators. Comparable as a supply chain-focused startup program, though operates with an equity-investment model distinct from 1871's nonprofit cohort model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/1871tech
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@1871tech
• Facebookfacebook.com/1871tech
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1871tech
• Instagraminstagram.com/1871tech

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Supply Chain Innovation Lab