2112 Creative Industries Incubator

Still trying to wrap my mind around all we saw at 2112 Creative Industries Incubator yesterday! I have a feeling that I’ll be chewing on the experience for a while, but here’s what I already can’t stop thinking about: for any ecosystem to thrive, methodology matters. 2112 is evidence of that. What a powerful example of community-centered partnership and design giving way to something far greater than could have been imagined individually. Thanks to the entire team for the welcome, and the huge part you play in making #Chicago truly world-class. #myfunjob

?? 2112 Creative Industries Incubator led by Scott Fetters = building a world class creative startup ecosystem right here in #Chicago! ?? Thank you to the visionary Scott Fetters and his team for welcoming Team World Business Chicago to 2112 Creative Industries Incubator, #Chicago's first #business incubator focused on development of entrepreneurs in #entertainment, #creative industries, and #lifestylebrands. ? Located within their 160,000 square-foot campus, the #B2B #creativeindustry ecosystem includes both Fort Knox Studios and 2112 Creative Industries Incubator: a powerhouse combo that attracts local and national talent. ?? What started as a rehearsal space has turned into a global culture production powerhouse, right here in #Chicago. Their vision: uniting fragmented industries and serving creative entrepreneurs to grow the region’s #creative sector. 2112 Creative Industries Incubator had also launched an educational initiative, a #workforcedevelopment arm, and has built an impactful network of international partners. Attracting and cross-pollinating talent, ideas, and resources, Scott Fetters and his 2112 Creative Industries Incubator colleagues built an impressive model that can serve other cities and regions around the world. ?? I’ve known Scott and 2112 Creative Industries Incubator for years, and their work is so impressive: serving more entrepreneurs, launching more impactful initiatives, and building more partnerships every year. From the very beginning, they saw the immense potential with our city’s creative economy. Chicago has deep creative roots (film, TV, music, design, & more) and a reputation for cultivating talented artists: 2112’s continued growth is building next generation of great Chicago’s entrepreneurs and innovators. This is one of the few places in the world with the proper resources and community to support the development of a #startups in #creativetech. ?? Thank you Scott, Elle Ramel, and 2112 Creative Industries Incubator for an incredible experience to a take a behind-the-scene tour of our city’s #creativetech landscape! ??Portage Park neighborhood, City of Chicago

2112 Creator House joined forces with Own.App, Center for Creative Entrepreneurship, Cutting Edge, and DAWn Audio earlier this month in Austin for an exclusive, immersive experience that was all about content, technology, and business innovation. The event showcased 2112’s global partner network with programming throughout the day hosted by Sound Music Cities, LLC, Music Managers Forum-US (MMF-US), ATX Musicians, Austin Creative Alliance, EQ Austin, Business Iceland, Iceland Music Music Tectonics, Showpass, NIVA - National Independent Venue Association, and DAWn Audio. Panels also included 2112 members Hillel Frankel of McGlinchey Stafford, Diego Pinzon of DAWn Audio, Maulin Hemani of FanPad, and Julian McCrea of Open Sesame Media, Inc. Special thanks to our corporate partners Showpass, Dell Technologies, and Shure Incorporated and f&b partners Tito's Handmade Vodka, BeatBox, and Louisiana Seafood. Video by 2112 Member Emerald Resources

This week's 2112 Creative Industries Incubator newsletter features a list of free partner programming, Taste of Iceland's return to Chicago, and community news from Music Tectonics, Chicago Media Composers and Lyricists, SZNL, Creator Collective, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, Shure Incorporated, VRAR Chicago, and Wallifornia: https://lnkd.in/ge62TmZm

Chicago, It’s Time to Lead in XR! Did you know that immersive technology is already transforming industries like manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and education? Are Chicago businesses are falling behind in adoption compared to other major markets? We’re hosting the Chicago XR Summit on June 4, 2025, at Illinois Institute of Technology. This isn’t just another conference - it’s a hands-on exhibition where business leaders can experience XR solutions firsthand and see proven results. Join us and discover how virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) can impact your business today. Don’t miss this opportunity to position your company at the forefront of Chicago’s next big tech movement. June 4, 2025 Illinois Institute of Technology Get Connected: Link in Comments #ChicagoXRSummit #TheNextEvolution #XR #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #BusinessInnovation #TechnologyLeadership

Heading to sxsw? We have joined forces with Own.App to showcase members, friends, and partners at 2112 Creator House Wednesday, March 12th. You can find more info and a list of partner events throughout the week from Midwest House, Funded House, Iceland Airwaves, and Music Tectonics in this week's 2112 newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gZHRFH47

I've studied 2112 Creative Hub for years and have long considered it the gold standard of creative hubs. We talk to a lot of cities that want to build something similar—but nothing could have prepared me for seeing it in person. WOW. 2112 is even more expansive, welcoming, and organically built than I imagined. An authentic creative ecosystem that is also a tight knit community. What struck me the most wasn’t just the space itself, but how it has evolved over time—through smart leadership, an authentic process, and a deep understanding of creative industries. After a brutal travel day, I ended up driving to Chicago just to catch a flight back to Austin. In some ways, it was a blessing in disguise, because it gave me the chance to finally experience 2112 in person, and it was absolutely worth it. I know we can’t simply replicate 2112 in every city, but there’s so much to learn from how they built it. It’s not just about infrastructure; it’s about vision, execution, and long-term commitment. Huge thanks to Scott Fetters for the tour! If any city is serious about developing a creative hub, you need to call Scott, his unique approach is something special. #CreativeHubs #MusicEcosystem #2112 #CreativeIndustries #Leadership #Musiccities

Energy filled the room at 2112 this past Thursday as we brought together Chicago’s innovation ecosystem to pitch their SXSW event to the South by Southwest-bound crowd. Our incredible panelists led a dynamic Q&A, offering insights and setting expectations for what’s ahead in Austin this March. The moment you step through the doors of 2112 Creative Industries Incubator, you can feel the energy—something special is always in motion. It’s Chicago at its best: a dynamic hub where creative entrepreneurs, come together to collaborate, innovate, and turn ideas into reality. Keep up with all-things Chicago at SXSW at Midwest House's page: https://lnkd.in/gwNqfWHw Thank you to everyone who grabbed the mic to make their pitch: Samir Mahafzah from Pie Laura Griffis from TriNet Ivonne Romo from The Auditorium Jeffery Beckham Jr from Chicago Scholars Eddy Mejia from Earnest Agriculture Joe Mullenbach from Fluid Reality And our amazing panelists: Ted Velie from Midwest House Scott Fetters, host at 2112 Creative Industries Incubator Mellini Monique from Vocal Culture Garden Nicole McCarthy, World Business Chicago And last but certainly not least thank you to Sugar Bliss, Taylor Mason, Catan Pisco and Inspiro Tequila, LLC for the amazing Chicago food and drink!

?? ?? SATURDAY MARCH 8TH, 2025 ?? ?? Midwest House 2025 The Riley Building 315 Lavaca St, Austin, TX, 78702 9AM - 9PM ?? ?? CHICAGO DAY?? ?? It's back y'all...last year more than 3000 of you came to celebrate Chicago Day with our good friends at World Business Chicago, so you we had to run it back. Joining in on the fun will be the Obama Foundation, Microsoft, 2112 Creative Industries Incubator, Portillo's, Pie, Kribi Coffee Co., Jeppson's Mal?rt, 1871, Chicago:Blend, Axios, foode, Farmer's Fridge, and many many more. Saturday will also include a morning celebration for International Women's Day that features Populous, Union Heritage, Ally, AnitaB.org, Hummingbirds, & Capitalize VC. Full schedule drops next week, but let it be known that Chi is showing up in 2025. Abin Kuriakose Nicole McCarthy Manleen Rajput Arantxa Valverde Scott Fetters Elle Ramel Stephanie Miller Billy N. Alya Adamany Woods Gregory Grossman Madelyn Rutter Ellie Davis Samir Mirza Beatriz de Souza Kauffmann Tessa Flippin Joey Mak Kenneth C. RSVP here to Get The List: https://lu.ma/qpgbuopz