Company lists
The Chicago edition · 2026

Media & Entertainmentcompanies in Chicago

Media & publishing, film & TV, music & audio, gaming & events, startups and more: the companies building media & entertainment in Chicago, Illinois, with their founders, funding, team size and business models.

487 company profiles35 with recorded fundingNovember 2026 edition
Chicago · Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Recent media & entertainment business events in Chicago

Funding, M&A, contract wins and launches involving 634 media & entertainment companies in Chicago, last 24 months: 6 M&A deals · 2 funding rounds. Newest first; companies and investors link to their Fliar profiles. Latest event in our news feed: May 2026.

M&AAcquisition · Announced

Affluence corporation acquires Triar Commerce LLC

Affluence Corporation (OTCID: AFFU), a diversified technology company focused on Smart City, Industrial IoT, and security software solutions, today announced that it has executed a…

Technology
Funding

Dose

wellness shot brand Dose raised $47 million this year

Wellness shot
M&AAcquisition · Announced

Audi, BMW, Daimler Consortium acquires Here

Nokia has finally confirmed the sale of its Here mapping business for €2.8bn ($3bn) to a consortium of Audi, BMW, and Daimler.

Mapping
M&AAcquisition · Rumored

Uber, Baidu acquires Here

Uber and Baidu, backed by Apax, were reportedly teaming up on a joint bid for Here.

Technology
M&AAcquisition · Rumored

BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen acquires Here

A consortium of German carmakers may be the only serious contender left in the contest to acquire Nokia's Here mapping unit.

Technology
M&AAcquisition · Announced

Creator Partners and Servco acquires Reverb

Meanwhile, Etsy announced after the quarter ended that it has decided to sell Reverb, a subsidiary marketplace it acquired in 2019, for $105 million in an all-cash transaction, Baker said.

Funding

Rush street interactive

LPL Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Rush Street Interactive during the 4th quarter valued at $173,000.

Investors Lpl financial
Online casino and sports betting
M&AAcquisition · Completed

The onion acquires Infowars

Alex Jones’s media company, Infowars, is now the property of satirical publication The Onion.

Media & Entertainment companies in Chicago, by funding and team

Few media & entertainment companies in Chicago, Illinois publish revenue, so this list compares what is on record instead: recorded equity funding, team size, revenue model, age and stage. The 50 companies below lead on recorded funding and team size among 487 active companies.

Showing 25 of 50

Provider of real-time video delivery platform for interactive experiences

Ott video
US$55.24mSeries B · Jun 2024
13-15% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Oct 2026
Subscription
13 yr2013
0none in 3 months · last posted Oct 2025

Provider of custom, one-of-a-kind songs created based on customers' personal preferences and occasions

Music tech
US$35.35mSeries A · Jun 2025
209-73% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Commission on transaction / E-commerce - product
11 yr2015
0none in 3 months

A media company that creates and distributes viral content

Internet first media
US$34.50mSeries B · Dec 2015
53+15% 12 mo to Dec 2022recorded Dec 2022
Advertising / Subscription
17 yr2009
0none in 3 months

Payment processing solution for creators

Music tech
US$28.35mSeries A · Sep 2023
13LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
13 yr2013
—No postings tracked

App-based platform providing violin-related learning solutions

Continued learning
US$19.53mSeries A · May 2023
18+23% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
10 yr2016
0none in 3 months

Provider of AI rights management platform protecting and licensing digital content

Generative ai
US$16.00mSeries A · Mar 2025
30LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
5 yr2021
0none in 3 months

Video content management and monetization solutions provider

Ott video
US$15.31mSeries A · May 2025
14+0% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
8 yr2018
0none in 3 months

Text book rental platform

Higher education tech
US$13.64mSeries B · Mar 2024
104+39% 12 mo to Dec 2022LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Renting / leasing
14 yr2012
0none in 3 months · last posted Apr 2026

Provider of an online platform offering multi-category sport betting tips

Sports tech
US$11.64mSeries A · Jan 2023
30-24% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Advertising / Commission on transaction
8 yr2018
0none in 3 months

Online platform for creators to create and sell content as collectible NFTs to their fans

Non fungible tokens
US$7.80mSeed · Feb 2024
21+33% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Advertising / Commission on transaction
4 yr2022
0none in 3 months · last posted Jun 2026

Real estate investment and deal recommendation firm

Internet first media
US$7.00mSeed · Jul 2022
44recorded
Commission on transaction / Renting / leasing
16 yr2010
0none in 3 months

Consumer reviews platform

Ratings and review platforms
US$5.00mSeries A · Jun 2007
103-35% 12 mo to Dec 2020recorded Dec 2020
Advertising / Affiliate marketing
20 yr2006
0none in 3 months

App for location sharing and customized event maps for fans at large events

Geographic information systems
US$4.61mSeed · Aug 2016
—Not available
Subscription
14 yr2012
—No postings tracked

Web3 platform with reward-based game NFTs

Pc & console gaming
US$4.29mSeed · May 2025
110+18% 12 mo to Dec 2020LinkedIn · Oct 2026
Subscription
9 yr2017
0none in 3 months · last posted Nov 2025

Blockchain-based production management solutions provider

Tech for film & tv
US$4.22mSeries A · May 2022
11+43% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
5 yr2021
0none in 3 months

Smart personal storage device for photos and videos

Online photos
US$2.64mSeed · Nov 2017
2LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
12 yr2014
0none in 3 months

Online radio streaming platform

Music tech
US$2.50mSeries A · Sep 2014
21-48% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Oct 2026
Advertising / E-commerce - service
26 yr2000
—No postings tracked

Online social platform for caregivers

Social platforms
US$1.95mSeed · Jun 2014
4LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
21 yr2005
0none in 3 months

News and research platform for investors

Investment tech
US$1.09mSeed · May 2019
20LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
12 yr2014
0none in 3 months

Platform connecting high-performing under-resourced students to companies and colleges

Social platforms
US$1.02mSeed · May 2024
24LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
4 yr2022
0none in 3 months · last posted Dec 2025

Provider of computer-aided design-based 3D modelling systems

3d printing
US$1.00mSeed · Sep 2021
5+0% 12 mo to Dec 2022LinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
8 yr2018
0none in 3 months

App-based content recommendation platform for movies and TV shows

Tech for film & tv
US$964kSeed · Aug 2025
3recorded
Advertising / Commission on transaction
13 yr2013
0none in 3 months

App based social fitness platform

Fitness & wellness tech
US$800kSeed · Jan 2023
3LinkedIn · Oct 2026
Subscription
12 yr2014
0none in 3 months

Online platform for journalists and audience to collaborate

Tech for digital publishers
US$750kSeed · Dec 2015
5+273% vs previous recordLinkedIn · Jul 2026
Subscription
11 yr2015
0none in 3 months

Mobile application for polling and sharing opinions

Social platforms
US$610kSeed · Sep 2020
12recorded
Subscription
9 yr2017
0none in 3 months
50 of 487 companies shown here · the full list is on Radar
Fliar Radar

Explore all 487 media & entertainment companies in Chicago on Radar

This page shows the top 50. Radar has the complete, filterable list with contacts and live company signals.

Open media & entertainment in Chicago on Radar
  • Every company, not just 50All 487 media & entertainment companies in Chicago, filterable by stage, funding, team size, revenue model and age.
  • Founders and decision-makersLeadership teams with roles and verified LinkedIn profiles, ready for outreach.
  • Live signalsFunding rounds, hiring, launches and M&A as they happen, with alerts on the companies you follow.
  • Save and exportBuild lists, compare companies side by side and export them from your Radar account.

Explore media & entertainment companies in Chicago by what you are looking for

Browse media and entertainment companies in Chicago for media production, streaming, and music. Compare media production companies and media entertainment businesses.

7 ways to explore media & entertainment in Chicago

Digital media & publishing companiesFilm, TV & video production companiesMusic, radio & podcast companiesGaming, sports & event ticketing companiesMedia & entertainment startups in ChicagoMedia & entertainment companies hiring in Chicago

Digital media & publishing companies

Find internet-first media, news, and digital publishing companies.

  1. Dose

    A media company that creates and distributes viral content

    Internet first media
    See in list
  2. Home Health Care News

    Online platform offering health-related news

    Internet first media
    See in list
  3. Skilled Nursing News

    Skilled Nursing News is an independent source for breaking news and up-to-date information on the skilled nursing industry.

    Internet first media
    See in list
  4. Becker's Healthcare

    Becker's Healthcare offers forward looking business news, analysis and guidance relating to the healthcare industry.

    Internet first media
    See in list
  5. Bayi

    We specialize in localizing Chinese, Japanese, and Korean media for Southeast Asian, European, and English-speaking audiences.

    Internet first media
    See in list

Film, TV & video production companies

Explore film studios, television production, and video technology companies.

  1. Phenix

    Provider of real-time video delivery platform for interactive experiences

    Ott video
    See in list
  2. SHOWRUNNER

    Blockchain-based production management solutions provider

    Tech for film & tv
    See in list
  3. Bracketology

    Operator of fantasy sports platform for reality television show competitions

    Tech for film & tv
    See in list
  4. A Company

    Withers Broadcasting is a mass media conglomeration, also partnered with Dana Communications, holding both radio and television studios in Missouri, Illinois and Kentucky with coverage into these states as well as into Arkansas, Tennessee and Indiana.

    Film & tv studios
    See in list
  5. WGN America

    WGN America, the flagship entertainment network of Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) is nationally distributed in 80 million homes via cable, satellite and telco, with entertainment programming including the original, scripted series “Salem,”?“Outsiders” and “Underground,” along with first-run synd

    Film & tv studios
    See in list

Music, radio & podcast companies

Find music technology, online radio, and podcast businesses.

  1. Songfinch

    Provider of custom, one-of-a-kind songs created based on customers' personal preferences and occasions

    Music tech
    See in list
  2. AccuRadio

    Online radio streaming platform

    Music tech
    See in list
  3. Chicago Public Media

    Chicago Public Media's flagship station, WBEZ 91.5 FM, is the region's premier public media service and Chicago's exclusive outlet for NPR programming.

    Radio tech
    See in list
  4. Brain.fm

    Developer of music designed to enhance focus and cognitive performance

    Disease self management
    Website
  5. Hubbard Chicago

    We are a full-service media company with legendary radio stations and cutting-edge digital solutions.

    Radio tech
    Website

Gaming, sports & event ticketing companies

Browse gambling technology, sports platforms, and event ticketing companies.

  1. BetSperts

    Provider of an online platform offering multi-category sport betting tips

    Sports tech
    See in list
  2. Atlas World Sports

    Online platform offering sports betting prediction, news & tips

    Sports tech
    See in list
  3. Donorpath

    Operator of an online platform providing various casino style games

    Gambling tech
    See in list
  4. Tailgreeter

    Online ticket booking platform for multiple events

    Online event ticketing
    See in list
  5. Moneythink

    Empowers students with financial tools for college success and reduced debt

    Gambling tech
    See in list

Media & entertainment startups in Chicago

Discover newer media and entertainment companies in Chicago.

  1. Vermill

    Provider of AI rights management platform protecting and licensing digital content

    Generative ai
    See in list
  2. GigaStar

    Online platform for creators to create and sell content as collectible NFTs to their fans

    Non fungible tokens
    See in list
  3. SHOWRUNNER

    Blockchain-based production management solutions provider

    Tech for film & tv
    See in list
  4. Reach Pathways

    Platform connecting high-performing under-resourced students to companies and colleges

    Social platforms
    See in list
  5. Bracketology

    Operator of fantasy sports platform for reality television show competitions

    Tech for film & tv
    See in list
53 companies in Chicago

Media & entertainment companies hiring in Chicago

See media and entertainment companies in Chicago that are hiring.

  1. Phenix

    Provider of real-time video delivery platform for interactive experiences

    Ott video
    See in list
  2. Packback

    Text book rental platform

    Higher education tech
    See in list
  3. GigaStar

    Online platform for creators to create and sell content as collectible NFTs to their fans

    Non fungible tokens
    See in list
  4. Mode Mobile

    Web3 platform with reward-based game NFTs

    Pc & console gaming
    See in list
  5. Reach Pathways

    Platform connecting high-performing under-resourced students to companies and colleges

    Social platforms
    See in list
15 companies in Chicago

Public media & entertainment companies in Chicago

Explore publicly listed media and entertainment companies in Chicago.

  1. Vivid Seats

    Online retailer of tickets for sports, concerts, and theater events

    Online event ticketing
    See in list
  2. Rush Street Interactive

    Tech-enabled solutions for gambling operators

    Gambling tech
    See in list
  3. Do312

    Online platform providing listings for local events, music, and nightlife

    Online event ticketing
    Website
  4. Midnight Rebels

    Provider of electronic music culture journalism, critical nightlife studies, and audio futurism

    Internet first media
    Website
  5. Urban Matter

    Online provider of news, entertainment, features, food, drink, health, travel

    Internet first media
    Website
6 companies in Chicago
Mobile reach

Top 10 media & entertainment apps from Chicago

The most-installed Android apps published by media & entertainment companies headquartered in Chicago — 68.7M installs between them. 33 companies on this page publish at least one app; each company (legal entity) appears once, with its most-installed app.

1 of 10
1

Make Money: Play to Earn Cash

by Mode Mobile

Installs57.7M
Rating4.493.6M ratings
Installs, year on year+14%
Last updatedMay 2026
View on Google Play ↗
Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 1Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 2Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 3Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 4Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 5Make Money: Play to Earn Cash screenshot 6
3

AccuRadio

by AccuRadio

Installs1.5M
Rating4.5263K ratings
Installs, year on year+5%
Last updatedFeb 2026
View on Google Play ↗
AccuRadio screenshot 1AccuRadio screenshot 2AccuRadio screenshot 3AccuRadio screenshot 4AccuRadio screenshot 5AccuRadio screenshot 6
4

Illinois Lottery Official App

by Illinois Lottery

Installs1.3M
Rating4.7274K ratings
Installs, year on year+33%
Last updatedApr 2026
View on Google Play ↗
Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 1Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 2Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 3Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 4Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 5Illinois Lottery Official App screenshot 6
5

Music for Focus by Brain.fm

by Brain.fm

Installs1.2M
Rating4.168K ratings
Installs, year on year+46%
Last updatedJun 2026
View on Google Play ↗
Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 1Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 2Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 3Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 4Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 5Music for Focus by Brain.fm screenshot 6
6

Stridekick Activity Challenges

by Stridekick

Installs463K
Rating4.743K ratings
Installs, year on year+20%
Last updatedJun 2026
View on Google Play ↗
Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 1Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 2Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 3Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 4Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 5Stridekick Activity Challenges screenshot 6
7

Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe

by Recz

Installs427K
Rating4.83525 ratings
Installs, year on year+78%
Last updatedApr 2026
View on Google Play ↗
Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 1Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 2Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 3Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 4Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 5Recz: Recommend, Connect, Vibe screenshot 6
RadarBrowse every media & entertainment company in Chicago on RadarOpen the full list and use the App Downloads and App Growth filters to keep only companies with a mobile app. This rail shows only the ten most-installed.Browse on Radar
For investors and data teams

Put this intelligence into your own tools

The figures on this page come from Fliar’s company, funding, hiring and news data. Use it through the Investor Intelligence API and company data exports, or explore every company, founder and investor in Radar.

Capital & corporate activity

Media & Entertainment funding and M&A across the United States

7,862 recorded equity rounds have gone to 43,989 media & entertainment companies in the United States — how much, at which stage, into which sub-sectors, from whom, and how Chicago compares. Debt, IPO and grant rounds are excluded.

equity rounds, last 12 months69

US$3.41bn

equity rounds, last 24 months234

US$10.68bn

raised over five yearsUS$34.40bn

1,694 rounds in the United States

M&A deals, Chicago6

last 24 months

Capital by year

Equity funding into media & entertainment in the United States

amount rounds
$4.2bn2018388
$4.0bn2019361
$4.2bn2020335
$11bn2021486
$7.6bn2022416
$2.1bn2023329
$3.0bn2024247
$7.4bn2025159
$3.0bn202657

Bars show US$ raised; the number under each year is equity rounds. 2026 is year to date. The peak year was 2021, with US$11.31bn across 486 rounds.

The funding ladder · five years

Rounds and typical cheque by stage

AngelUS$52.52m21 rounds · median US$1.40m
SeedUS$2.06bn984 rounds · median US$1.20m
Series AUS$3.42bn363 rounds · median US$7.00m
Series BUS$4.78bn162 rounds · median US$18.11m
Series CUS$3.60bn64 rounds · median US$36.25m
Series D+US$17.47bn75 rounds · median US$116.11m
Private equityUS$2.21bn20 rounds · median US$125.00m
Where the money went · five years

Most-funded sub-sectors

Film & tv studiosUS$4.50bn101 rounds · 77 companies
Social platformsUS$3.86bn242 rounds · 180 companies
Sports techUS$3.35bn54 rounds · 35 companies
Gambling techUS$3.21bn122 rounds · 70 companies
Investment techUS$3.18bn30 rounds · 15 companies
Music techUS$2.10bn183 rounds · 131 companies
3d animationUS$1.78bn52 rounds · 32 companies
Corporate activity · last 24 months

M&A in Chicago

6Acquisition

Most active acquirers

  1. Affluence corporation1
  2. Audi, BMW, Daimler Consortium1
  3. Uber, Baidu1
  4. BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen1
  5. Creator Partners and Servco1

Most acquired or merged

  1. Here3
  2. Triar Commerce LLC1
  3. Reverb1
  4. Infowars1

Each deal appears in the events strip at the top of the page.

Industry landscape report

Media & Entertainment Industry Landscape of Chicago

The financials above are one chapter. The full media & entertainment landscape of Chicago maps the whole industry — every segment, the capital behind it, the talent market and where the next opportunities are.

  • Market map of every sub-sector
  • Funding & company formation by year
  • Revenue, profit & financial strength
  • Digital footprint: traffic, apps, releases
  • Hiring, skills & pay
  • Founders & leaders
  • News & sentiment
  • Where demand runs ahead of supply
Read the media & entertainment landscape of Chicago

Media & Entertainment funding in Chicago

35 media & entertainment companies in Chicago have recorded equity funding, US$277.54m in total. Totals and round dates describe the historical record; they are not current valuations.

Founders and momentum in Chicago

Meet the people behind media & entertainment companies in Chicago. 112 of 487 companies list founders or leaders; where a public LinkedIn profile matches exactly, the expanded profile shows the photo, headline, location and education.

Explore Chicago media & entertainment companies by sub-sector

The most common specialisations among media & entertainment companies in Chicago. Open a company to see what it sells, who runs it and how far it has come.

Keep exploring media & entertainment in the United States and nearby markets.

Explore more lists: nearby cities and other sectors in Chicago

158 more company lists you can search, plus the Radar directory pages for each place.

Media & Entertainment in nearby cities

Media & Entertainment in other US cities

Other sectors in Chicago

Browse the Radar directory

Coming soon