DEPAUL UNIVERSITY JOINS 2112

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.”

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.

###

About 2112

2112 is Chicago’s first business incubator focused on the development of entrepreneurs in music, film/video and creative industry-focused technologies. Through community, educational opportunities and access to capital, 2112 creates a truly fertile ground for the professional development and acceleration of its members. More information on 2112 can be found at 2112inc.com.

About Coleman Entrepreneurship Center
DePaul's Coleman Entrepreneurship Center is a partner to the university's nationally ranked academic entrepreneurship program in the Driehaus College of Business. The center serves as an entrepreneurial hub for students, faculty and alumni, as well as the broader Chicago business community.

About DePaul University
DePaul University was founded in Chicago in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), a Roman Catholic religious community dedicated to following the ideals of St. Vincent de Paul, the 17th century priest for whom the university is named. With more than 23,000 students and some 300 academic programs, DePaul is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, nonprofit university in the Midwest. It is nationally recognized for incorporating service learning throughout its curriculum and preparing its graduates for a global economy. DePaul’s tradition of providing a quality education to students from a broad range of backgrounds, with particular attention to first-generation students, has resulted in one of the nation’s most diverse student bodies. More information is available at DePaul.edu.