Parallel Play is excited to announce the opening of its second popup location inside 2112, Chicago’s premier incubator dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs in the entertainment, creative, and lifestyle sectors.This new satellite space offers 2112 members + guests an immersive way to experience music, while serving as a hub for innovative programming, community engagement, and creative collaboration curated by the Parallel Play Popup team, in partnership with the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship.

Launched in Humboldt Park in September, 2025, Parallel Play is a popup concept, media platform, and hi-fi listening space dedicated to intentional encounters with sound, culture, and community. Operating between event, archive, and social experiment, Parallel Play ...

Posted: Monday, June 8, 2026

Leaders from Illinois and the United Arab Emirates’ Trade and Investment Office (UAE) convened at the Hyatt Centric Chicago O’Hare this week for a panel titled “From Incubation to Global Expansion: Building an Illinois–Abu Dhabi Corridor.” The event marked another milestone in the UAE Embassy’s engagement with, signaling a major step forward in strengthening bilateral ties in innovation, investment, and economic development. The visit builds on momentum from the Illinois Association for Global Trade’s (IAGT) January trade mission to Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Karim Gamal, Executive Director of the Trade and Investment Office, UAE Embassy in DC, emphasized the importance of deepening U.S.–UAE collaboration through sustained ...

Posted: Friday, April 24, 2026

The Richard L. Duchossois Foundation announced its support for the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship as part of its second round of grantee partners dedicated to expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and advancing inclusive economic growth across Chicago.

Grounded in the belief that the city’s most persistent social challenges can be addressed through innovation, diligence, and collaborative action, the RLD Foundation continues to invest in organizations creating measurable, lasting impact. Guided by the values of its founder, Richard L. Duchossois, the Foundation focuses its philanthropy on three core areas: Veterans, Entrepreneurs, and Strong Families.

Entrepreneurship remains a powerful pathway to economic mobility, particularly ...

Posted: Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Frontier Mission Network has been awarded support through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s prestigious Growth Accelerator Fund Competition.

Posted: Friday, November 28, 2025

Partnership signed during Galway–Chicago Sister Cities delegation visit aims to create new international pathways for creative entrepreneurs.

Chicago, IL – August 19, 2025 — A new international collaboration between two leading innovation hubs for the creative industries — 2112, Chicago, and CREW, Galway — was formally launched today with the signing of a Partnership Agreement at 2112’s headquarters in Chicago. The agreement was signed during an official visit by a delegation from Galway City, led by Mayor of Galway, Councillor Mike Cubbard.

The signing took place as part of the Chicago–Galway Sister Cities delegation visit, which brings together representatives from local government, industry, and education. The ...

Posted: Tuesday, August 19, 2025

StrmMusic, the smart label supercharging artists’ trajectories, has announced the appointment of Geoff Cubitt as CEO of StrmMusic North America. The company is establishing its North American headquarters in the centrally located, musically vibrant city of Chicago.

Cubitt will lead StrmMusic’s North American efforts from the company’s new headquarters in Chicago, at the city’s entertainment and tech hub, 2112. “In addition to being centrally located between music centers such as LA, NYC, and Nashville, Chicago is one of the top music cities in the U.S.,” Cubitt notes. “It also has a strong base of tech companies and resources. That put Chicago on the radar for us, but what put it over the top is 2112/Fort Knox, a unique hub of ...

Posted: Wednesday, June 25, 2025

2112 hosted an industry reception celebrating the launch of two new studios, further bolstering the Fort Knox Studios/2112 creative ecosystem.

Posted: Tuesday, June 3, 2025

The Desire Company has concluded its Series B funding round, catapulting its valuation to $97 million.

Posted: Saturday, June 1, 2024

After dedicated hours reviewing an incredible pool of applications, the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is thrilled to kickstart its inaugural Music Cohort, a hybrid three-month program that cultivates next steps for independent artists to advance their professional practice. Join us in welcoming the newest additions to the CCE family:Jessica Garcia-PaduaHarley ReidNaomi GrahamKathleen LieffersRaphael OlivierJulián Pujols QuallThese bright talents are set to embark on a journey of growth and development, guided by a dream team of industry experts, including:Randy Chertkow - Making Money With MusicCelia Rose - What up PitchesJanishia Jones- Encore Music Tech Solutions / So Saucy RecordsFaith Anderson- DBC BrandDe Aundre Slater- The DigilogueMartin Atkins - PPIMKelly ...

Posted: Monday, February 12, 2024

2112 has partnered with Dell for Startups on the development of two new studios focused on graphic design, video editing, and audio production.

Posted: Tuesday, January 9, 2024

By the end of the year, the city will have rough estimates for the capital expenses and operational costs for opening three music and art hubs at three cultural centers, with a Chicago group likely playing a large role in shaping the offerings and programs included in those facilities.

Posted: Thursday, June 15, 2023

The Desire Company – the world's only community of Experts who trial, test and share reviews of the products they genuinely use and trust – is excited to announce the opening of their new studio in Chicago. The company's new, innovative space is located in the heart of The Windy City at 2112, Chicago's first creative incubator. The space includes immersive set designs to film top Pros sharing honest recommendations, easy-to-follow how tos and hands-on classes.

Posted: Wednesday, April 27, 2022

A $20.2 million proposal for a 54-unit apartment complex and arts and technology hub has been chosen by a city panel as the best fit for 1.2 acres of city-owned land at the northwest corner of Sixth Street and North Avenue in Milwaukee’s Bronzeville district.

The Bronzeville Advisory Committee this week selected the project from three proposals submitted by developers in a response to a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the city last fall.

Dubbed the Bronzeville Arts and Technology Hub, the proposal for the three-story, mixed-use development was pitched by Milwaukee-based FIT Investment Group and Cinnaire Solutions.

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Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2022

Beverage Industry Vets Set To Redefine The Drinking Experience For A New Generation

Posted: Monday, March 28, 2022

2112 and the Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) announced the launch of SyncChicago, an initiative to grow Chicago’s commercial music licensing industry.

Posted: Friday, June 25, 2021

We're excited to officially welcome Shopflix to the 2112 Family! Congratulations Matt Matros, Lindsey Kilbride, and the entire Shopflix Studios team! Despite being a serial Chicago entrepreneur, Matros wasn't sure if he would launch Shopflix in the Windy City. He contemplated Austin, Nashville, and of course Los Angeles, which is home to the production talent needed to fuel the business. But he opted to stay in Chicago given its growing film production industry. "Most Chicago companies compete with Silicon Valley from a tech perspective. We’re a Chicago company that’s competing with Hollywood," he said. "Chicago is a good market for this."

Posted: Wednesday, June 16, 2021

How do you supercharge your own Defense system? Introducing hellowater Defense Powered by CYTO+. Hellowater Defense Powered by CYTO + is a game changing patented technology. CYTO+ creates a shield against incoming toxins by working with and bolstering our primary chemical processing engine, Cytochrome P450. When you are stressed, hydration and beneficials are crucial for maintaining the health of your immune system. hellowater Defense Powered by CYTO+ is our crafted blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and beneficial botanicals that provides everyday support of your immune system. CYTO+ bolsters P450 to target and eliminate toxins in the body, in particular, those that have evaded the body’s natural defenses and taken up residence in your cells.

Posted: Thursday, April 15, 2021

2112 has partnered with Comcast Business on the development of a Startup Studio, with additional support provided by Shure, Wintrust, Hughes Foundation, and Karp Designs. Conceived to support the transition to digital in response to COVID-19, the studio will provide free access to small businesses throughout Chicago for the creation of high-quality audio and video content, with priority given to engaging communities of color and other historically marginalized business owners. Access to the Comcast Business Startup Studio will be made available through partner incubators, innovation hubs, government agencies, and chambers of commerce throughout the city for businesses who need to build their online presence and do not have access to affordable space and equipment to create ...

Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2021

ROME, Jan. 11, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Against the backdrop of the worst public health crisis in more than a century, the Italian Trade Agency will introduce a new generation of technology startups – its largest and most ambitious ever – at the Consumer Electronics Show All Digital from January 11 to 14.

Posted: Monday, January 11, 2021

Amid Covid, news about small businesses shutting down seems inescapable, and rightfully somber. But for the newly-formed law firm, Zlatkin Wong, this outcome couldn’t be further from the truth. Read more to see how they firm got its start and overcame the challenges that the pandemic presented.

Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2020

2112 is thrilled to support the work of the Production Academy and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership’s (The Partnership) Opportunity Works program. The Opportunity Works program places young adults in paid internships, exposes them to viable careers, expands their skill sets and connects them to the training and resources they need to achieve long-term employment in growing industries.

Posted: Monday, July 23, 2018

Songistry’s community-based collaboration, social, workflow, and metadata management resource is opening an office in the Windy City at 2112.

Posted: Friday, July 6, 2018

"DePaul University's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center has added its name alongside more than 90 music and film start-ups by claiming space inside the arts-focused Old Irving Park tech incubator 2112, university officials announced Tuesday." Full Article

Posted: Friday, August 4, 2017

DePaul University is joining innovation hub 2112, the first university to formally join the space on Chicago’s Northwest Side that focuses on business development in music, video, film and creative technologies. 2112, launched in 2015, operates out of the 160,000-square-foot Fort Knox Studios. DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center is leading the university’s newly announced membership there, though the School of Music, College of Law and the College of Computing and Digital Media will also be able to use 2112 resources. Full Article

Posted: Friday, August 4, 2017

The future of Chicago’s entertainment industry is taking shape in an overlooked industrial corridor nestled along the Kennedy Expressway in Portage Park, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Tuesday. “I don’t think anyone would know this is here,” Emanuel said. “This is definitely a pearl in the oyster of Chicago.” Full Article

Posted: Monday, April 17, 2017