Best Media & Entertainment Companies in Illinois, United States
The 437 best Media & Entertainment companies in Illinois, United States in 2026, ranked by funding and momentum. Funding, investors, founders, valuation, tech stack and live signals. Top: Consolidated Communications.
Ranked: Best Media & Entertainment companies in Illinois
| # | Company | App-install YoY | Disclosed funding | Last round | Employees | Founder | Tech stack | Patents & IP focus | Recent signals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stridekick App based social fitness platform | +20% | $800K | 36 mo ago | — | John Contreras Co-Founder & CEO | Beehiiv RSS feedTurbopackNode.js+14 | — | — |
| 2 | 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 | 12 mo ago | 20 | Kiran Panesar Co-Founder & CTO | WebflowVimeoStripe+28 | — | 1 award |
| 3 | Trala App-based platform providing violin-related learning solutions | +14% | $18M | 36 mo ago | 37 | — | VarnishStripeGitHub Pages+8 | — | — |
| 4 | AccuRadio Online radio streaming platform | +5% | $2M | 141 mo ago | 12 | — | Node.jsFacebook LoginMicrosoft ASP.NET+32 | — | — |
| 5 | 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 | — | — |
| 6 | 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 |
| 7 | 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 | — | — |
| 8 | 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 | — |
| 9 | Consolidated Communications Provider of phone, voice, data, VoIP, and internet services for residential & business 35Tech top 21%Funding top 35%Product top 47%Talent bottom 49% All 10 signals ▾Techtop 21% Fundingtop 35% Producttop 47% Talentbottom 49% Globalbottom 37% Marketbottom 36% Growthbottom 36% Newsbottom 27% Fin. healthbottom 24% Moatbottom 12% Tech: 63 technologies across 6/8 capability areas · Cloud: Cloudflare Funding: Raised $1.8B across 6 rounds · 6 rounds over 12 yrs (0.5/yr) rank vs industry peers · Fliar Intelligence Index 35/100 | — | $1.8B | 39 mo ago | 2,690 | Bob Udell President and Chief Executive Officer | Cart FunctionalityDNNApple iCloud Mail+36 | — | — |
| 10 | 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 | — | — |
| 11 | Fello Online platform offering mental health support through peer to peer connections | — | $10M | 18 mo ago | — | Jeff Werring Co-Founder | WebflowPostHogGoogle Analytics+18 | — | — |
| 12 | ODDSworks Platform offering game development solutions for online and offline gambling operators | — | $2M | 13 mo ago | — | Shridhar Joshi Founder & CEO | — | — | 2 partnerships |
| 13 | 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 | — | — |
| 14 | Accel Entertainment Provides slot machines and amusement devices to bars, restaurants, gaming cafes, and truck stops | — | $40M | 24 mo ago | — | Gordon Rubenstein Co-Founder | HubSpot CMS HubSalesforceRaphael+22 | — | — |
| 15 | Packback Text book rental platform | — | $11M | 26 mo ago | 117 117 → 104 (-11%) | Daniel White Vice President | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+28 | — | — |
| 16 | Mozaic Payment processing solution for creators | — | $27M | 32 mo ago | 11 | Rachel Knepp Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+35 | — | — |
| 17 | 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 |
| 18 | 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 | — |
| 19 | BetSperts Provider of an online platform offering multi-category sport betting tips | — | $12M | 41 mo ago | 28 | Austin Harper Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+28 | — | — |
| 20 | 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 | — | — |
| 21 | 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 |
| 22 | Northernvue Provider of AI-driven technology solutions for casino table games | — | $1M | 26 mo ago | — | Lei Zhang Co-Founder | — | 8 patents Real-time video game performance monitoring hardware and analytics devices | — |
| 23 | 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. | — |
| 24 | 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 | — |
| 25 | 8 Track Entertainment Online platform providing multi-category news | — | $2M | 33 mo ago | 3 | Bill Harbin Co-Founder | WixSentryBootstrap+15 | — | — |
| 26 | Dose A media company that creates and distributes viral content | — | $34M | 126 mo ago | 53 | — | Node.jsGoogle CloudExpress+8 | — | — |
| 27 | Atlas World Sports Online platform offering sports betting prediction, news & tips | — | $200K | 24 mo ago | 21 | — | TypeScriptEnvoyZone.js+8 | — | — |
| 28 | Tickets Now Online Ticket Reseller | — | $34M | 233 mo ago | 200 | Mike Domek Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 29 | WomensForum Online community for women | — | $32M | 314 mo ago | 15 | — | — | — | — |
| 30 | NileGuide Local travel guides for planning trips to global destinations | — | $12M | 184 mo ago | 2 | Josh Steinitz Founder & CEO | NginxjQuery UIjQuery+5 | — | — |
| 31 | Music Dealers Global music licensing company | — | $6M | 132 mo ago | 24 | John Williamson Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 32 | FeedBurner Online platform offering management solutions | — | $8M | 254 mo ago | 30 | Steve Olechowski ex-Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 33 | Trippy Online social platform to raise/answer Q&A related to travel | — | $5M | 145 mo ago | 6 | J.R. Johnson Founder & CEO | Microsoft ASP.NETBootstrapNginx+30 | 2 patents Patents concentrated in computing, sensing & instrumentation | — |
| 34 | Wis.dm Social network based on yes or no questions | — | $5M | 227 mo ago | — | Will Koffel CTO and Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 35 | Viewpoints Consumer reviews platform | — | $5M | 228 mo ago | 103 | Matt Moog Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 36 | Picturelife Protect, share, store, and sell your photos with ease | — | $4M | 163 mo ago | — | Nate Westheimer Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 37 | General Lattice Provider of computer-aided design-based 3D modelling systems | — | $1M | 56 mo ago | 3 | Nick Florek Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 38 | 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 | — |
| 39 | BrooqLy App-based social platform for connecting with friends | — | $150K | 36 mo ago | 5 | Eleni Vardalos Co-Founder | — | — | 1 partnership · 2 expansions |
| 40 | Castos Podcast hosting platform empowering creators with monetization and audience growth tools | — | $756K | 59 mo ago | 5 | — | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+31 | — | — |
| 41 | Lotsa Helping Hands Online social platform for caregivers | — | $2M | 144 mo ago | 8 | Hal Chapel CEO & Co-Founder | WordPressMySQLPHP+16 | — | — |
| 42 | Ibetcha Social challenging and betting platform | — | $3M | 317 mo ago | 22 | Tal Cohen Co-Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 43 | ReadOz Provide platform for sharing publication online | — | $2M | 187 mo ago | 11 | Andrew Menasce Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 44 | EQDerivatives News and research platform for investors | — | $1M | 84 mo ago | 19 | Rob Mcglinchey Managing Director & Co-Founder | WordPress Block EditorWordPressApple iCloud Mail+17 | — | — |
| 45 | 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 | — |
| 46 | Cliqueshare Online platform to share images and videos with a selected group of people | — | $875K | 84 mo ago | 1 | Jason Schoepke Co-Founder | — | — | — |
| 47 | Foresyte App-based community platform for travelers | — | $200K | 49 mo ago | 6 | Dani Hristeva Co-Founder | WordPress Block EditorWordPressMySQL+14 | — | — |
| 48 | Fandium Social Sports App | — | $1M | 156 mo ago | — | Larry Lucas Founder & CEO | — | — | — |
| 49 | Hearken Online platform for journalists and audience to collaborate | — | $750K | 126 mo ago | 41 | Jennifer Brandel | WordPressMySQLPHP+15 | — | — |
| 50 | CFE Media and Technology Provides a cloud based content marketing platform | — | $700K | 193 mo ago | 34 | Jim Langhenry Co-Founder | CKEditorBootstrapMarionette.js+12 | — | — |
Top 12 Media & Entertainment companies in Illinois
#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
Acquired · Mattoon, Illinois · founded 1894 · 2690 employees$1.8Braised▾
Provider of phone, voice, data, VoIP, and internet services for residential & business
- Mar 2023Post IPO—
- Dec 2021Post IPO$75M
- Jan 2021Conventional Debt$150M
- Oct 2020Post IPO$350M
#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
Seed · Winnetka, Illinois · founded 2024$10.4Mraised▾
Online platform offering mental health support through peer to peer connections. It connects individuals facing challenges with peers who have overcome similar experiences by leveraging the power of shared lived experiences.
- Dec 2024Seed$10.4M
#9
Seed · Downers Grove, Illinois · founded 2020$2Mraised▾
Platform offering game development solutions for online and offline gambling operators. The company is involved in developing various online and offline gambling games like slots, casinos, and table and scratch-off games. It also provides content management solutions for casinos.
- Apr 2025Seed$397.7K
- Mar 2023Seed$2M
#10
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
#11
Public · Bolingbrook, Illinois · founded 2009$40.4Mraised▾
Provides slot machines and amusement devices to bars, restaurants, gaming cafes, and truck stops
- Jun 2024Post IPO—
- 2017Series B$7.9M
- Jun 2016Series B$32.5M
- 2010Seed—
#12
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
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