​Emerging Tech Innovation Summit 2026: Policy, Power & Production

​The future of technology isn’t just being coded—it’s being regulated, scaled, and funded.

​Join 1871 for a comprehensive, full-day summit bringing together builders, investors, policymakers, and enterprise leaders across AI, Quantum, and Web3. This year, we’ve combined our specialized tracks into a single powerhouse day. Step into the room to separate hype from reality, explore the guardrails shaping development, and see the next generation of breakthrough startups pitch live.

​The Agenda At-A-Glance

​🏛️PART 1: The Policy Track | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

​Before you build the future, you have to understand the boundaries. We’re kicking off the morning with an in-depth look at the shifting regulatory landscape governing emerging technologies.

​🤝 MORNING AGENDA:

​< 8:30 DOORS OPEN. Please arrive promptly before 9am.>

​9:00 Welcome remarks
9:10 Keynote: The Myth of the AI Race by Alvin Wang Graylin
9:55 Panel 1: Who Is Responsible When AI Acts? with Jason Rosenweig, PhD, Senior Policy Advisor Illinois Department of Human Rights + TBA
10:30 Panel 2: Sustainable Transportation of the Future with Landon Campbell (Moderator) + Lara Dailey (WayMo) + Rep. Buckner (IL) + Sen. Hastings (IL)
11:00 Panel 3, Presented by the Digital Chamber and the IL Blockchain Association: Illinois Digital Assets Bill — Mike Frisch (IL Blockchain Association) + Olta Andoni (Digital Chamber)
11:40 Close — Closing + Three Asks

​🤝 THE MIDDAY CONNECT | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

​Network, grab lunch, and dive into focused, concurrent community tracks:

• ​Claude Code Meetup: Hosted in partnership with Anthropic— A 20 minute AMA Session with Claude with open networking for founders, developers, and builders.

• ​Private Corporate Innovation Meetup: Closed-door collaboration for enterprise leaders.

• ​Private Founder & Investor Lunch: Curated networking for founders and funders.

​💥 PART 2: The Innovation Track | 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

​The afternoon shifts gears into pure execution, scaling, and fundraising.

​• Opening Innovation Keynote

​• 1871 Founder Showcase: Meet the companies moving the needle in AI, Quantum, and Web3.

​• $25K TechRise Pitch Competition: Watch top founders battle it out live on stage for a piece of a non-dilutive $25,000 prize pool.

​• 1871 "Short Series" Conversations: Our signature, rapid-fire 20-minute expert conversations with live Q&A. This year's hot topics include:

​How to Maintain a Moat in AI Development

​What is the Real Speed Limit of AI? (Featuring leaders from ComEd, Clayco, and Current exploring physical infrastructure bottlenecks)

​How Emerging Tech is Defining the Future of the Workforce

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​👥 Who Should Attend?

• ​Founders & Builders looking for funding, technical meetups (Anthropic), and actionable growth strategies.

• ​Investors scouting the next wave of midwest tech talent at the TechRise pitch competition and 1871 Founder Showcase.

• ​Enterprise Leaders & Policy Enthusiasts needing to de-risk their tech roadmaps against upcoming regulations and infrastructure constraints.

​Note on Ticketing: This is a combined, full-day event. Your registration grants you access to both the morning Policy track and the afternoon Innovation track. Select mid-day lunch sessions are private and require separate RSVPs.