Chicago Media & Entertainment Tech Summit 2026

Where Creative Tech
Meets Capital.

The premier summit and pitch competition shaping the future of media, entertainment, and creative technology in Chicago.

Date July 22, 2026

Location Chicago, Illinois

Hosts 2112 & CCE

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The Opportunity

Chicago is the next great creative tech capital.

Music, film, fashion, sports, gaming, immersive tech — Chicago's creative industries are converging with world-class manufacturing, enterprise infrastructure, and a rising founder community. What's been missing is a stage.

The Chicago Media & Entertainment Tech Summit fills that gap: a high-impact gathering of founders, investors, and industry leaders at the forefront of the creative economy.

Who Attends

Built for builders, backed by capital.

A curated gathering across the full creative technology ecosystem — from first-time founders to Fortune 500 innovation leaders.

Founders & startups in media and entertainment tech

Venture capitalists, angels & corporate innovation leaders

Creative industry executives across music, film & fashion

Economic development & civic leaders

Service providers and ecosystem builders

Corporate partners seeking innovation & talent

Programming

The conversations shaping what's next.

Curated panels and fireside chats exploring the intersection of technology, creativity, and capital.

01 Why Chicago: The New Capital of Creative Technology and the Future of Media →

02 Dual-Use Technology: Where Creative Tech Meets National & Enterprise Applications →

03 The State of Creative Tech Investment in 2026 →

04 Immersive Chicago: XR, Virtual Production & Experiential Innovation →

05 Fan Engagement 3.0: The Future of Sports, Music & Live Experiences →

06 HardTech Meets Hollywood: Chicago's Manufacturing Edge in Creative Innovation →

07 Corporate Innovation & Startup Collaboration in Entertainment →

08 Inclusive Innovation: Expanding Access to Capital in Creative Tech →

Pitch Competition

Five finalists. Real stakes.

An elite pitch competition spotlighting Chicago's most compelling creative technology companies, with direct pathways to capital and global exposure. Finalists must have a minimum of one year of operation and recorded operating income. 15–20 additional entrepreneurs will be spotlighted throughout the event.

Cash prizes — Judge's Choice & Audience Choice
Equity investment opportunities from attending VCs
Hardware, software & business services packages
One-year memberships to 2112 (mentorship, workspace, network)
Professional pitch videos & headshots
One finalist selected to pitch at Music Tectonics Conference, Santa Monica
Global exposure opportunities & press coverage

$50K+ Total awards

5 Elite finalists

Chicago has a manufacturing edge, a creative soul, and the infrastructure to build the next generation of media technology.

Mission & Impact

Building a more inclusive creative economy.

We prioritize founders from low-to-moderate income neighborhoods and historically underserved communities — while strengthening Chicago's broader creative tech ecosystem.

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Expanding Access to Capital

Connecting underrepresented founders with investors committed to inclusive innovation.

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Global Visibility

Putting Chicago founders on the world stage through media, press, and conference partnerships.

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12 Months of Support

Post-event programming, mentorship, and ecosystem integration for all participants.

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Retaining Creative Talent

Keeping Chicago's next generation of creative tech leaders building in the region.

Partnership

Sponsor the future of Chicago's creative economy.

Position your organization at the center of innovation. Direct access to founders, investors, and creative industry leaders — with measurable community impact.

Past supporters include Dell Technologies · Shure · Comcast Business · Wintrust Financial

Capital Partners

Direct access to the investors who matter.

Confirmed and invited capital partners include venture funds, angel investors, corporate venture arms, community lenders, CDFIs, and economic development organizations.

World Business Chicago

Mindset Ventures

Music Tech Ventures

Capitalize VC

Music Tectonics

VRAR Chicago

A proven track record of helping founders raise over $150 million in capital.

Get Involved

Help shape Chicago's creative future.

Join us in building the region's most important stage for media and entertainment technology.