Best Media & Entertainment Companies in Chicago, United States
The 325 best Media & Entertainment companies in Chicago, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: The Athletic.
Ranked: Best Media & Entertainment companies in Chicago
| # | Company | App-install YoY | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founder | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brain.fm Developer of music designed to enhance focus and cognitive performance | +46% | $225K | 99 mo ago | 13 | Daniel Clark CEO | SentryFacebook LoginGoogle Sign-in+23 | 576 patents Robotic mapping, sensor calibration, and feature detection for autonomous navigation systems. | 1 launch |
| 2 | Stridekick App based social fitness platform | +20% | $800K | 36 mo ago | — | John Contreras Co-Founder & CEO | Beehiiv RSS feedTurbopackNode.js+14 | — | — |
| 3 | Mode Mobile Web3 platform with reward-based game NFTs 57Customers top 18%Tech top 33%Talent top 38%Fin. health top 42% All 10 signals ▾Customerstop 18% Techtop 33% Talenttop 38% Fin. healthtop 42% Fundingtop 44% Markettop 50% Growthbottom 48% Productbottom 40% Globalbottom 39% Moatbottom 38% Customers: Play-Store rating 4.49★ across 3,568,337 ratings (1 apps) · Review volume +5% in 6 mo Tech: 42 technologies across 6/8 capability areas · Cloud: Amazon S3, Amazon Web Services rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 57/100 | +14% | $5M | 13 mo ago | 20 | Kiran Panesar Co-Founder & CTO | WebflowVimeoStripe+28 | — | 1 award |
| 4 | Trala App-based platform providing violin-related learning solutions | +14% | $18M | 36 mo ago | 37 | — | VarnishStripeGitHub Pages+8 | — | — |
| 5 | AccuRadio Online radio streaming platform | +5% | $2M | 141 mo ago | 12 | — | Node.jsFacebook LoginMicrosoft ASP.NET+32 | — | — |
| 6 | Songfinch Provider of custom, one-of-a-kind songs created based on customers' personal preferences and occasions | — | $35M | 11 mo ago | 70 | Josh Kaplan Co-Founder and Chief Legal Officer | Cart FunctionalitySentryZendesk+25 | — | — |
| 7 | StreamLayer Video content management and monetization solutions provider 37Moat top 25%Patents top 33%Innovation top 34%News top 38% All 10 signals ▾Moattop 25% Patentstop 33% Innovationtop 34% Newstop 38% Talenttop 38% Fundingtop 42% Producttop 47% Techbottom 46% Globalbottom 31% Marketbottom 25% Moat: Editorial + unicorn rating 7/10 · IP moat: 24 patents Patents: 24 patents matched (strict assignee match) · 17 filings since 2022 vs 7 in 2017-21 rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 37/100 | — | $13M | 13 mo ago | 20 | John Ganschow Co-Founder | WebflowSentryWistia+17 | 24 patents Real-time interactive video streaming with overlay graphics and audience engagement features | 1 partnership |
| 8 | Vermill Provider of AI rights management platform protecting and licensing digital content | — | $16M | 15 mo ago | 21 | Dan Neely Co-Founder & CEO | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+34 | — | — |
| 9 | CharacTour App-based content recommendation platform for movies and TV shows | — | $904K | 9 mo ago | 3 | — | PHPLaravelVue.js+9 | 8 patents Patents concentrated in electrical & electronics | — |
| 10 | Phenix Provider of real-time video delivery platform for interactive experiences | — | $55M | 24 mo ago | 57 | Stefan Birrer Co-Founder | WebflowAmazon Web Servicescore-js+16 | — | — |
| 11 | Bracketology Operator of fantasy sports platform for reality television show competitions | — | $488K | 8 mo ago | 7 | Kaitlyn Hurley Co-Founder & CMO | Beehiiv RSS feedWordPressMySQL+43 | — | — |
| 12 | Packback Text book rental platform | — | $11M | 26 mo ago | 117 117 → 104 (-11%) | Daniel White Vice President | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+28 | — | — |
| 13 | Mozaic Payment processing solution for creators | — | $27M | 32 mo ago | 11 | Rachel Knepp Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+35 | — | — |
| 14 | GigaStar Online platform for creators to create and sell content as collectible NFTs to their fans | — | $8M | 28 mo ago | 12 | Mohammed Asfour Co-Founder & COO | HubSpot CMS HubAmazon Web ServicesFancyBox+21 | — | 1 job opening · 3 launchs |
| 15 | The Athletic Online sports media company | — | $140M | 76 mo ago | 433 433 → 915 (+111%) | Adam Hansmann Co-Founder & President | — | 19 patents Integrated protective sports apparel and equipment for impact mitigation | — |
| 16 | BetSperts Provider of an online platform offering multi-category sport betting tips | — | $12M | 41 mo ago | 28 | Austin Harper Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+28 | — | — |
| 17 | Tastytrade Online platform publishing content focusing on investment | — | $60M | 95 mo ago | 156 156 → 204 (+31%) | Tom Sosnoff Co-Founder & CEO | ContentstackSentrySalesforce+37 | 10 patents Mobile securities trading and real-time aggregated market/educational data platform | 1 launch |
| 18 | Reach Pathways Platform connecting high-performing under-resourced students to companies and colleges | — | $1M | 24 mo ago | — | Jeffery Beckham Co-Founder & Co-CEO | WixSentryBootstrap+12 | — | — |
| 19 | Reverb Online marketplace for used musical instruments | — | $47M | 106 mo ago | 113 113 → 249 (+120%) | — | Cart FunctionalitySentryZendesk+36 | 2 patents AI-driven word generation and personalized content profiling using NLP techniques. | — |
| 20 | Here Real estate investment and deal recommendation firm | — | $7M | 47 mo ago | 44 | — | BeehiivSentryHeadless UI+17 | 94 patents AI-driven dynamic object detection and location-based content management systems | — |
| 21 | Dose A media company that creates and distributes viral content | — | $34M | 126 mo ago | 53 | — | Node.jsGoogle CloudExpress+8 | — | — |
| 22 | WomensForum Online community for women | — | $32M | 314 mo ago | 15 | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | Atlas World Sports Online platform offering sports betting prediction, news & tips | — | $200K | 24 mo ago | 21 | — | TypeScriptEnvoyZone.js+8 | — | — |
| 24 | NileGuide Local travel guides for planning trips to global destinations | — | $12M | 184 mo ago | 2 | Josh Steinitz Founder & CEO | NginxjQuery UIjQuery+5 | — | — |
| 25 | Music Dealers Global music licensing company | — | $6M | 132 mo ago | 24 | John Williamson Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 26 | FeedBurner Online platform offering management solutions | — | $8M | 254 mo ago | 30 | Steve Olechowski ex-Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 27 | Wis.dm Social network based on yes or no questions | — | $5M | 227 mo ago | — | Will Koffel CTO and Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 28 | Viewpoints Consumer reviews platform | — | $5M | 228 mo ago | 103 | Matt Moog Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 29 | Picturelife Protect, share, store, and sell your photos with ease | — | $4M | 163 mo ago | — | Nate Westheimer Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 30 | Monument Smart personal storage device for photos and videos | — | $3M | 103 mo ago | 9 | — | Webflow EcommerceWebflowStripe+16 | 5 patents Personal cloud storage devices for digital media streaming and management | — |
| 31 | General Lattice Provider of computer-aided design-based 3D modelling systems | — | $1M | 56 mo ago | 3 | Nick Florek Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 32 | Lotsa Helping Hands Online social platform for caregivers | — | $2M | 144 mo ago | 8 | Hal Chapel CEO & Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | — | — |
| 33 | Ibetcha Social challenging and betting platform | — | $3M | 317 mo ago | 22 | Tal Cohen Co-Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 34 | ReadOz Provide platform for sharing publication online | — | $2M | 187 mo ago | 11 | Andrew Menasce Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 35 | Where I've Been Interactive Travel Map | — | $2M | 194 mo ago | 10 | Michael Dalesandro ex-CEO | — | 4 patents Travel booking and itinerary management software with graphical user interfaces | — |
| 36 | EQDerivatives News and research platform for investors | — | $1M | 84 mo ago | 19 | Rob Mcglinchey Managing Director & Co-Founder | WordPress Block EditorWordPressApple iCloud Mail+17 | — | — |
| 37 | Fandium Social Sports App | — | $1M | 156 mo ago | — | Larry Lucas Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 38 | Foresyte App-based community platform for travelers | — | $200K | 49 mo ago | 6 | Dani Hristeva Co-Founder | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+14 | — | — |
| 39 | Hearken Online platform for journalists and audience to collaborate | — | $750K | 126 mo ago | 41 | Jennifer Brandel | WordPressMySQLPHP+15 | — | — |
| 40 | TruePublic Mobile application for polling and sharing opinions | — | $200K | 68 mo ago | 12 | Arsen Gevorgyan Co-Founder & COO | — | — | — |
| 41 | TransFS Digital information platform for personal finances | — | $510K | 190 mo ago | — | Sean Harper CEO | — | — | — |
| 42 | CloudSpotter Automatic photo aggregation and sharing platform | — | $360K | 120 mo ago | — | Ryan Jacobs Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 43 | Visual Labs AI-based music videos creation platform | — | $20K | 36 mo ago | — | William Stanford Co-Founder | — | 8 patents ML-driven cross-channel marketing attribution and predictive analytics for touchpoint effectiveness | — |
| 44 | Sunny Bump Product discovery for parents | — | $375K | 162 mo ago | 1 | Kale McNaney Co-Founder & CTO | — | — | — |
| 45 | Windy City Media Network Online platform offering multi-category news | — | $303K | 170 mo ago | — | Brett Rosin Co-Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 46 | Donorpath Operator of an online platform providing various casino style games | — | $250K | 153 mo ago | 52 | — | — | — | — |
Top 12 Media & Entertainment companies in Chicago
#1
Series A · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2015 · 70 employees$35.3Mraised▾
Provider of custom, one-of-a-kind songs created based on customers' personal preferences and occasions. It is a digital platform that enables customers to commission personalized, one-of-a-kind songs based on their preferences and memories. The platform connects customers with professional musicians, allowing them to create unique soundtracks for special occasions.
- Jun 2025Series A$1.9M
- Jun 2023Series A$9.5M
- Aug 2022Series A$17M
- Apr 2022Seed$4.9M
#2
Series A · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2018 · 20 employees$12.8Mraised▾
Video content management and monetization solutions provider. It offers technology solutions for video content and video monetization. It offers an audience engagement platform focused on streaming video that provides engagement between viewers, premium rights holders, and sponsors.
- May 2025Series A$1.8M
- May 2025Conventional Debt—
- Oct 2024Conventional Debt—
- Oct 2024Series A$756K
#3
Series A · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2021 · 21 employees$16Mraised▾
Provider of AI rights management platform protecting and licensing digital content. The platform offers tools to manage terms, conditions, and usage rights for content. It helps content owners protect against unauthorized use, deepfakes, and distribution. The platform also provides content monitoring and risk assessment services. It aims to enable content owners to capitalize on revenue streams from generative AI.
- Mar 2025Series A$16M
#4
Seed · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2017 · 20 employees$4.6Mraised▾
Web3 platform with reward-based game NFTs. It provides games that are integrated into the Blockchain network, which enables players to trade in in-game assets. Its features include play-to-earn and engage platforms, games, and fan rewards.
- May 2025Seed$3M
- Dec 2024Seed$33.4K
- Dec 2023Seed$1.3M
- Apr 2020Conventional Debt$354.4K
#5
Seed · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2013 · 3 employees$903.5Kraised▾
App-based content recommendation platform for movies and TV shows. It enables users to connect with other fans on the platform based on their interests. It also provides a database of fictional characters in various movies and tv shows.
- Aug 2025Seed$60K
- Aug 2024Seed$40K
- Jun 2023Seed$17K
- Jun 2022Seed$90K
#6
Series B · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2013 · 57 employees$55.2Mraised▾
Provider of real-time video delivery platform for interactive experiences. The platform delivers synchronized, low-latency video streaming. It supports various applications, including sports, betting, and auctions. The platform offers features such as server-side ad insertion and digital rights management.
- Jun 2024Series B$3.4M
- Dec 2022Series B$12.4M
- Mar 2021Series B$16.9M
- Aug 2020Series B$3M
#7
Seed · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2022 · 7 employees$487.5Kraised▾
Operator of fantasy sports platform for reality television show competitions. It provides a platform for users to create fantasy leagues and predict outcomes. The platform offers various game modes, including daily pools and season-long fantasy leagues. Users can earn coins and other rewards by participating and winning in these games.
- Sep 2025Seed$100K
- Feb 2025Seed$387.5K
#8
Series B · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2012 · 117 employees$11.1Mraised▾
Packback is an online textbook rental platform.Packback has served over 130K students nationwide and is backed by $3M+ in venture funding from notable investors including Mark Cuban, Howard Tullman, and Mark Tebbe. Packback also provides a price Comparison tool to compare prices from the textbook renters on the web. Packback also operates Packback questions, a social Q&A platform.
- Mar 2024Series B—
- Jan 2019Series A$2.5M
- Jan 2018Series A$4.2M
- Sep 2017Seed$1.5M
#9
Series A · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2013 · 11 employees$27Mraised▾
Payment processing solution for creators. Provides platform enabling payment through multiple currencies. Enables to split earnings, royalty, and donations with creators, and collaborators around the world with the way they want to be paid. Reaches creators all over the world, making to collaborate with and pay creators anywhere and at scale.
- Sep 2023Series A$25.6M
- Sep 2018Series A$2.4M
- Seed$400K
#10
Series A · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2016 · 37 employees$18.1Mraised▾
App-based platform providing violin-related learning solutions. It offers tutorial videos and daily lessons for the students. It also allows them to chat with the instructor and enables the instructors to provide instant feedback to the students. It also provides a practice journal. Available on both Android and iOS devices.
- May 2023Series A$19.5K
- Dec 2022Series A$14.5M
- Dec 2021Series A—
- Jul 2020Series A$3.5M
#11
Seed · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2022 · 12 employees$7.8Mraised▾
Online platform for creators to create and sell content as collectible NFTs to their fans. It is a blockchain-based platform enabling YouTube creators to partner with fans, sell fans fractional royalties via NFTs, and create new revenue streams. The fans can trade their NFTs while creators receive perpetual transactional revenue from every sale in the secondary market.
- Feb 2024Seed$3M
- 2022Seed$4.8M
#12
Acquired · Chicago, Illinois · founded 2016 · 433 employees$139.5Mraised▾
The Athletic is a subscription-based, local-focused sports media brand targeting the premium fan segment. The Company claims to provide the most credible insider information in sports media by combining privileged locker room access with a deep reliance on analytics.The company is currently focused in two markets, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area. It is backed by Precursor Ventures and Y Combinator.
- Jan 2020Series D$50M
- May 2019Series C$22M
- Oct 2018Series C$40M
- Mar 2018Series B$20M
Funding & investor landscape
Notable founders
Market landscape — 10 sub-themes by coverage
Share of Media & Entertainment coverage by sub-theme.
Regulatory-risk over time rising
Funding & growth over time
funding rising · growth rising
Common questions
Sweetie watches where the money and the users are piling in. She covers sector wealth and momentum — the install curves and revenue pools that show which corners of the market are quietly on fire.