When DC-based startup campus 1776 was launched in February, founders thought it would take nine months to fill the space with companies. But co-founders Evan Burfield and Donna Harris (not pictured) tell us they've received over 160 applications and have accepted 75 who will be announced in about a week when it officially opens.At least 80% of applicants are from the DC region and the rest are from all over, including Silicon Valley, Chicago, and New York. (This is starting to sound more and more like The Real World.)"There's so much more startup activity than I really understood," Evan says. Above is founding team member Brittany Heyd (second from right) with the interior design team.

This is how the space looked in February when Evan and Donnaannounced 1776 at a press conference. Interior designer Maggie O'Neill is working on creating a work space that feels like "the coolest lounge you've ever been in." Donna says most of the startups are education and consumer tech firms, and the rest are health, energy, financial services, and transportation. The campus will also include a presence from embassies and universities that will also be announced at the opening. Startup delegations from Germany, Russia, and Israel are getting tours in the next few weeks.