New Chicago technology center to help start-ups

State officials say a new digital technology center in downtown Chicago will help early-stage start-up companies.

The 50,000-square-foot center will provide space for up to 400 people or roughly 100 new companies. The center has office space, work space and is designed to let new businesses collaborate.

The center is named “1871” after the period of massive rebuilding during the year of the Great Chicago Fire. The center is located at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago and is scheduled to open in May.

Gov. Pat Quinn says the state is providing $2.3 million from a capital plan.

More than a dozen of the first tenants were announced on Wednesday, including SimpleRelevance. It's a company that provides personalized technology for e-commerce merchants.