Exploring Innovation: My Experience at the 2112 Creative Incubator in Chicago

Chris on the Creatvie Trampoline

2112: The Creative Trampoline You Didn’t Know You Needed

I like buses, subways, and all sorts of public transportation, so yesterday, I got the #78 and took it west, way west, to find the 2112 Incubator in Chicago. A couple of weeks ago, I met this guy named Joe who told me about this space, and I was curious—mighty curious.

I arrived early, sat outside, and read this book about the poet William Blake. It always seemed to me that Blake was mad, but I found inspiration in that madness. He gave me some ideas about Jijiji and how I might position it. That's where I find my marketing inspiration—from a mad 18th-century poet.

What is 2112?

2112 isn’t just a measurement of square footage—it transcends the physical space ( which is massive if you include Fort Knox Studios) to become a vibrant hub, a full-on mad pinball collision of creativity, drive, and big, weird, beautiful ideas that bounce off the walls like electrifying sparks.

Within this dynamic environment, inspiration and innovation ricochet and evolve, creating a transformative atmosphere. It’s the stark contrast between sitting alone in a quiet room, feeling a little freaked out and isolated in your headspace, grappling with self-doubt and uncertainty, and instead experiencing the thrill of bouncing on a trampoline of support, imagination, and people who get it.

I don't really know what goes here, but I felt like some cool stuff goes on here. Or maybe more importantly, I could make some cool stuff go on here,

Collaboration flourishes. The energy is palpable; Artists, entrepreneurs, thinkers, and dreamers—new concepts and experimentation.

2112 is a community and a culture. That's all you need sometimes. When I was a kid, we used to do things together in neighborhoods, bars, and cafes. I miss all that, but this is 2025, so finding a place like 2112 might help fight the creativity ennui that settles over all of us, especially in these constipated times.

I hope 2112 catalyzes personal and collective growth. It’s a reminder that we are not alone but part of a larger tapestry of creativity. Passion collides. That's what we're all looking for.

Running a creative business can feel like rolling a boulder uphill—lonely and relentless. But when you plug into a space like 2112, maybe the grind shifts. Suddenly, you’re not solo. You’re surrounded by filmmakers, music makers, and tech builders ready to collaborate.

Collaboration is king. And this kingdom is on the west side of Chicago? It rocks.