Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) is a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2020 that supports independent musicians, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs through membership, online courses (Making Money with Music), a 3-month artist cohort, a weekly podcast, signature events (Music Bloom Series, Club Creative), and mentorship, under fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alliance Illinois.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Center for Creative Entrepreneurship does
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) is a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2020 that operates as an educational and community hub for creative entrepreneurs, with primary focus on independent musicians and artists in the Chicago metropolitan area. CCE is structured as a pilot project under fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alliance Illinois (a 501(c)(3) statewide arts organization), with 2112 Chicago serving as programmatic lead and the Richard L. Duchossois Foundation functioning as primary funder.
CCE's product portfolio comprises an annual CCE Pro Package membership delivered via the ccelearn.org platform, the 'Making Money with Music' online course (11 music-business topics, 67 classes, 200+ articles developed with Randy Chertkow and Jason Feehan), the hybrid 3-month CCE Music Cohort training program, the weekly Global Industry Spotlights Podcast (~36-38 episodes annually, distributed on YouTube and Spotify), the Music Bloom Series professional-development events held at neighborhood Chicago venues, the Club Creative Monthly Series (~10 events per year), and additional recurring programming such as SONGxSONG workshops and the Dell Pitch Event. The technology layer consists of a website (cceglobal.org) and a course delivery platform (ccelearn.org); no proprietary AI, API, or mobile app surfaces are present.
Revenue mechanics mix earned income with foundation/corporate support. Earned revenue streams include annual membership subscriptions, course sales, and paid/free event programming; commercial partnerships provide member benefits (notably a 15% Shure discount) and studio access (Comcast Digital Studio). Funder relationships span Walder Foundation, Coleman Foundation, DCASE, Hughes Foundation, Arts Alliance Illinois, and corporate sponsors including Dell Technologies, Shure, and Comcast Business. The customer base is composed of individual creative practitioners (independent musicians, filmmakers, fashion professionals, visual artists) primarily in Chicago's Chicagoland region, with partnerships extending reach internationally through Music Innovation Hub, Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft, Music Tectonics, and Reverb.
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
- Legal name
- Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
- Website
- https://cceglobal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (CCE) is a Chicago-based non-profit founded in 2020 that supports independent musicians, filmmakers, and creative entrepreneurs through membership, online courses (Making Money with Music), a 3-month artist cohort, a weekly podcast, signature events (Music Bloom Series, Club Creative), and mentorship, under fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alliance Illinois.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Creative Industries Education
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs (EDAAAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business (EDAMAHAI), Business Planning, Pitching & Competitions (Pitch Decks, Demo Days) (EDAMAHAB), Career Exploration & Industry Exposure (Guest Speakers, Company Visits) (EDAMAHAJ), Certification & Credentialed Creator Programs (MPACALAI)
Keywords
Where Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: CCE generates revenue through annual membership subscriptions providing access to mentorship, free event admission, partner discounts (15% at Shure), and the Making Money with Music online course.
- Course Sales: Revenue from the award-winning 'Making Money with Music' course covering 11 music business topics, 67 classes, and 200+ articles, offered as part of membership or potentially separately.
- Event Programming: CCE organizes signature events and series including Music Bloom Summit, workshops, and panel discussions that drive community engagement and membership value.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CCE Pro Package membership with mentorship, events, and course access |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Center for Creative Entrepreneurship operates as an educational and community hub for creative professionals, delivering an annual membership program (CCE Pro Package) that bundles mentorship, free event admission, partner discounts, and access to an online music business course. Core offerings include the "Making Money with Music" online course (11 topics, 67 classes, 200+ articles), the 3-month hybrid CCE Music Cohort training program for independent artists, signature event series (Music Bloom Series, Club Creative Monthly), and weekly podcasts featuring creative-industry conversations.
Product overview
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship operates as an educational hub for the creative economy, offering a suite of programs and services including a membership program (CCE Pro Package) providing mentorship, event access, and partner discounts; the 'Making Money with Music' online course; the CCE Music Cohort 3-month training program; the Global Industry Spotlights Podcast and The.BlkRoom Podcast; the Music Bloom Series professional development events; and Club Creative Monthly events. The organization focuses on supporting entrepreneurship in creative industries through educational resources, networking, programming, and collaboration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CCE Music Cohort: A hybrid 3-month program cultivating next steps for independent artists to advance their professional practice, supporting artists in the Chicago and Chicagoland area
- Music Bloom Series
- Global Industry Spotlights Podcast
- Club Creative Monthly Series
- SONGxSONG
Products and services
- CCE Pro Package Membership
Quantifiable outcome
- 6 artists supported in 2024 CCE Music Cohort through 3-month hybrid program
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Navy PiercoreNavy Pier supports Music Bloom Series and artist development, providing paid opportunities to over 3,000 artists each year through its FREE year-round programming. Strategic partner for neighborhood-based music programming.
- Dell TechnologiesmajorSponsor supporting CCE programming and events. Dell provides technology resources and participates in Dell Pitch Event programming.
- ShuremajorEquipment partner providing CCE members with 15% discounts on select purchases. Shure is a professional audio equipment manufacturer supporting the music community.
- Comcast BusinessmajorSponsor providing digital infrastructure and studio resources. Comcast Business provided the Comcast Digital Studio for member shoots.
- World Business ChicagomajorEconomic development organization supporting CCE's mission to strengthen Chicago's creative economy.
- 2112 ChicagocoreProgrammatic lead for CCE, providing industry expertise and infrastructure for music and creative industry development.
- Music Innovation HubmajorInternational partner organization supporting music innovation and creative industry development.
- Music TectonicsmajorConference and media organization covering music technology, partnering on industry events and knowledge sharing.
- ReverbmajorMusic equipment marketplace and platform, partnering on industry programming and music tech discussions.
- ISO Pro AcademymajorMusic industry education platform, co-presenting Music Bloom programming at Hyde Park Arts Center.
- Randy Chertkow and Jason FeehancoreAward-winning music business educators who co-developed the 'Making Money with Music' course offered through CCE membership. Their course has received recognition from Billboard Magazine.
- Camila Vick (The.BlkRoom)minorInitiated by singer-songwriter Camila Vick, The.BlkRoom provides a creative haven for artists. CCE partners to support this initiative and integrate it into programming (Music Bloom 2024 at Garfield Park).
- mHUB ChicagomajorHardware and product development accelerator, partnering on Pilot Readiness events and startup programming.
- Hyde Park Arts CenterminorVenue partner for Music Bloom programming, hosting events in collaboration with ISO Pro Academy.
- Marz BreweryminorVenue partner for Music Bloom events, collaborating with LatiNxt Music Festival and Future Rootz.
- Overflow CoffeeminorVenue at original Veejay Records offices, hosting Music Bloom programming and industry discussions.
- Hamburg Kreativ GesellschaftminorInternational creative industry organization from Hamburg, Germany, supporting cross-border creative economy exchange.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths2 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Creative Entrepreneurship financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Creative Entrepreneurship
What does Center for Creative Entrepreneurship do?
The Center for Creative Entrepreneurship operates as an educational and community hub for creative professionals, delivering an annual membership program (CCE Pro Package) that bundles mentorship, free event admission, partner discounts, and access to an online music business course. Core offerings include the "Making Money with Music" online course (11 topics, 67 classes, 200+ articles), the 3-month hybrid CCE Music Cohort training program for independent artists, signature event series (Music Bloom Series, Club Creative Monthly), and weekly podcasts featuring creative-industry conversations.
Is Center for Creative Entrepreneurship a public or private company?
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Creative Entrepreneurship founded?
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Center for Creative Entrepreneurship based?
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Creative Entrepreneurship make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are course Sales and event Programming.
Does Center for Creative Entrepreneurship have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Creative Entrepreneurship.
What industry is Center for Creative Entrepreneurship in?
Center for Creative Entrepreneurship's product category is Creative Industries Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAEAG, Personal Enrichment & Creative Arts Programs, with a secondary code of EDAMAHAI, Leadership, Management & Teamwork for Business. Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.