2112 is a music, film/video, creative and technology incubator in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)CHICAGO — Higher education and music innovation are intersecting in Chicago as DePaul University joins 2112 – the first of its kind music, film and technology incubator on the city’s Northwest Side. The arrangement, led by DePaul’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
with support from the College of Law, College of Computing and Digital
Media, and the School of Music, will allow all students unprecedented
access to resources, industry experts and customized programming at
2112’s 20,000-square-foot Portage Park facility.
“No matter what business or career you enter, the
skill sets of entrepreneurship and innovation are important for
sustainable success,” said Bruce Leech, executive director of the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center in DePaul’s Driehaus College of Business.
“We believe by joining 2112 we will reach a more diverse group of
DePaul students and alumni who are interested in starting a business in
these areas.”
Bruce Leech, left, and Abigail Ingram of the Coleman Entrepreneurship Center at DePaul with Amor Montes de Oca and Scott Fetters, right, of 2112. (DePaul University/Kathy Hillegonds)Located within the 160,000-square foot B2B creative
industry ecosystem of Fort Knox Studios, 2112 is Chicago's first
incubator focused on the development of entrepreneurs and disruption in
music, film/video and creative technology. 2112 member businesses
include intellectual property and immigration lawyers, marketing and
consulting firms, technology developers and film production companies.
“Providing
DePaul University students with educational resources, physical
workspace and real world industry experience perfectly aligns with
2112’s vision to help define the future of the creative industries,”
said Scott Fetters, director of 2112. “It’s a privilege for 2112 to support DePaul's long-standing commitment to its students.”
DePaul
will have an office at 2112 for classes and meetings, which will
provide networking and collaboration opportunities for students and
alumni interested in developing and launching businesses. In addition,
DePaul faculty will be resources for 2112 members seeking advice, Leech
added.
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DePaul University Media Contact:
Lorene Yue
lyue3@depaul.edu
312-362-7788
2112 Media Contact:
Ryan Arnold
ryan@desotostate.com
312-600-7380