• We are a space where ideas meet execution.

    We foster a creative and collaborative environment, so that you can produce your best work through education, business acceleration and events.

    Professional Development

    We provide, and host over 40 classes and workshops each month, with a curriculum that is accessible to startups, youth, veterans, and individuals at any stage of the entrepreneurial journey. Our hands-on tech classes cover cutting-edge technologies, help you learn new skills and make your software boundaries vanish. Each teacher has industry experience, and a unique perspective to be able to provide first-hand insights into the topic and its potential impact on various industries. Each session, from mobile and web development, to entrepreneurship and digital marketing is interactive and collaborative.

    Business Acceleration

    In addition to providing early-stage startups and freelancers with coworking space, tools to build their venture, and support for their business - as a member, we provide an exclusive E.L.I.T.E. (Entrepreneur, Leadership, Intelligence, Technology, and Empowerment) daily series with experts who share their insider perspective on cutting-edge knowledge, tools or methods. Each week we bring in an industry thought leader to break down emerging technologies and trends in a hands on workshop or 1-on-1 office hour meetings.

    Engaging Events

    Whether it's a Hack-a-thon, lecture, class, seminar, or meetup - We regularly host a wide variety of events here at BLUE1647. This includes speaker series with Data Scientists, experienced entrepreneurs, hack-a-thons, and company summits, to name a few. Click here to view our equipment and a glimpse of previous events we've hosted. Inquire about hosting an event in our open space or, for smaller events, renting our classrooms and conference rooms here.

    • Technical support (full AV & sound system)
    • Capacity up to 300 people (100 seated) in event space and conference rooms.

  • Our Community

    We are a diverse tech innovation center and coworking space, with programs that evolve with each member’s needs. Membership includes access to classes, events, amenities, and our dynamic community.

    Individual Student Basic Membership

    $24.99/month

    This membership is for College Students. Must have a college ID. Every innovative college student and budding professional, will want to have a BLUE Membership because it brings access to exclusive networking events, programming, and support for a diverse cross section of innovators to meet, work, and collaborate.

    • 1 BLUE1647 E.L.I.T.E. Workshop per month
    • Access to Coworking space
    • Access to Free events
    • Discount on Clubhouse fees
    • Access to Small Huddle rooms
    • Access to Printing Fax and Scan
    • Free access to Wifi Usage

    Business Premium

    $249.99/month

    Ideal for Members wanting to hold classes, meetups, or have a monthly event. There are shared conference rooms available for all to use, tech-enabled classrooms, as well as other common areas where you and your team can relax or work.

    • Unlimited E.L.I.T.E. Workshops per month
    • Access to Coworking space
    • 20 hours of Free Conference room credits/mo.
    • Discount on Event Space rental
    • Includes up to 4 Team members
    • Access to Printing Fax and Scan
    • Free Mailbox
    • Free Access to Wifi Usage

    Private Offices

    $500/month

      Office memberships include a private office best suited for businesses with up to two staff. We have a built-in desk top, access to printing copy fax station, conference room credits, one event space, and unlimited BLUE1647 Master Classes.

      • Unlimited E.L.I.T.E. Workshops per month
      • Dedicated office Space
      • Chairs included
      • Access to Printing Copy Fax and Scan
      • 20 hours of Free Conference rooms mo.
      • Access to all Coworking spaces
      • Discount on Rental of Interior Event Space
      • Up to 4 Team members allowed
      • Free Mailbox
      • Free Access to Wifi Usage

      Virtual Office

      $99/month

      • Unlimited E.L.I.T.E. Workshops per month
      • Free Mailbox 
      • 30 hours of time in Coworking space per month
      • 10 free Conference room hours per month
      • Free  access to Wifi usage

      Individual Premium

      $49.99/month

      Every entrepreneur, impact professional, and changemaker in Chicago will want to have a BLUE Membership because it brings access to exclusive programming, and support for a diverse cross section of innovators to meet, work, and collaborate.

      • Unlimited E.L.I.T.E. Workshops per month
      • Access to Coworking space
      • 10 hours of Conference room /mo
      • 5 hours of Conference room Credits
      • Access to Free events
      • Access to Printing Copy Fax and Scan
      • Free access Wifi Usage

      Business Basic

       

      $149.99/month

      • Unlimited E.L.I.T.E. Workshops per month
      • Access to Coworking space
      • 10 hours of Free Conference room credits/mo
      • Access to Printing Fax and Scans
      • Includes up to 2 team members
      • Discount on Interior Event Space 
      • Free Mailbox
      • Free Access to Wifi Usage

    • Join Our Community Of Creators

       

      Everything is month-to-month with no long-term commitments.

       

    • Locations

      Impacting communities through diversity, technology and entrepreneurship. 

      BLUE Lacuna

      2150 Canalport, Chicago, IL

      4811 Delmar Blvd.

      St Louis, Missouri​

      1401 Lasalle Lane.

      St. Louis, Missouri​

      Compton Unified School District.

      Compton, California

      S. Fourth Avenue

      Indiana​

      The Lab (Haiti)

      Blue1647 West

      Mar Vista Gardens

      11965 Allin Street Los Angeles CA

      Avalon Gardens

      701 E 88th Place Los Angeles CA

      William Mead

      1300 N. Cardinal Los Angles CA

      Imperial Courts

      1300 N. Cardinal Los Angles CA

    • Co-Learn

      A creativity-fostering space to empower today’s entrepreneurs. Participate in curated programming alongside business acceleration services, workshops, and work with member-run companies.

      UBS & Village Capital launch VC Pathways Program for Black/Latinx/Female Entrepreneurs Seeking Early-Stage Funding & Support

      UBS and Village Capital have partnered with Blue1647 and ImBlackInTech to bring their Pathways investment program to Chicago. VC Pathways is a national program that will train and support African American, Latinx and female founders to increase their competitiveness for seed-stage venture investment and early-stage incubator and accelerator programs. Learn more information about the VC Pathways offering and key local program dates.

       

      Build tangible skills in web, mobile, and design through workshops and classes.

      Code Chicago is a series of hands-on, mobile development, web programming and design workshops held at the innovation center, BLUE1647 / Blue Lacuna, where every participant will work with one another and join in the spirit of collaboration and learning. It is this aspect of education that we trust would resonate most with our participants — and that with an open atmosphere where no question is off limits, we see interesting and inspiring thinking about how to embrace the openness of technology as an opportunity palette — and to really push what might seem conventionally possible with a web browser, and a mobile device having an internet connection. Learn more here or signup for emailed event notifications.

      21CYP teaches youth advanced technology as a path to opportunity.

      Founded in 2011, the 21st Century Youth Project (21CYP) teaches advanced technology as a path to opportunity. The program focuses on improving skills Today (through teaching and tutoring), Tomorrow (through coaching and mentoring), and the Future (through internship placement), with an entrepreneurial focus. Key deliverables for student participants are creation of web and mobile apps for (Google Android, iPhone, iPad etc.), accompanying business plans, accrual of college credits and case studies on their resumes and portfolios because of hands-on tangible skills gained through internship placements. Parents and guardians can apply for monthly trainings & events for youth. Register for updates here.

      Direct access to leading experts.

      E.L.I.T.E. (Entrepreneur, Leadership, Intelligence, Technology, and Empowerment) is a daily series for BLUE1647 members, with experts who share their insider perspective on cutting-edge knowledge, tools or methods. Each week we bring in an industry expert to break down emerging technologies and trends in a hands-on workshop or 1-on-1 office hour meetings. Topics cover entrepreneurship, technology, data, digital marketing, sales, leadership, and more. Learn more here.

      Women in Technology & Entrepreneurship.

      The 1919 Women in Technology Initiative. The name of the women’s cohort pays homage to the 19th amendment and voting rights act for women. This initiative focuses on bringing together Chicago women in technology through education and collaborations. 1919 is in partnership with Accenture, one of the world’s leading organizations providing management consulting, technology and outsourcing services. Sign up for updates here.

      Educating and inspiring youth with the skills and resources to pursue opportunities in technology.

       

      Latina Girls Code was created to provide education, resources, and a community for young Latinas, ages 7 - 17, who are interested in the many fields of technology. Learn more here.

       

      Training youth in engaging coding programs.

      Our Coding and Minecraft Game Development Bootcamps will engage students excitement of learning in a fun way. After our Starter Bootcamp, students are invited to more advanced game development classes. They'll understand how to use Mod Coder Pack (MCP), how to create a new java file, decompiling and recompiling Minecraft Code and more. Apply here.

      Code Blue USA Hackathon Series.

      BLUE1647's CODE BLUE USA is a 12-month series of themed Hackathon's hosted throughout the United States to help bridge the tech gap in under-served communities. We’re closing the digital-divide in our communities and helping students access relevant tech programs. Learn more here.

       

      BLUEFund Rewards.

      BLUEFund Rewards is a rewards based crowdfunding platform that seeks to reach businesses, organizations and individuals that will contribute to the economic development of underserved communities. Learn more here.

      Empower your child to change the world.

       

      Blue Studios is the only Pre-K through 12th grade STEM pathway serving Chicagoland. Blue Studios is a partnership of Blue1647 and Paige & Paxton. These two award-winning programs have teamed up to provide students with the kind of engaging, robust STEM enrichment experiences that lay the foundation for future academic, professional and personal success. Learn more here. Download our mobile app from iTunes & Google Play. Sign up for updates here.

      Blue Gaming

      Blue Gaming is a first of its kind initiative that utilizes gaming and esports for social impact, human development, and community engagement. Our mission is to teach 21st century skills in a fun and engaging environment while making opportunities in gaming and esports more inclusive and accessible. Learn more here.

    • Download the Blue Studios App in both app stores today to plan and schedule your youth classes! From this mobile App you can view class schedules, sign-up for classes, view ongoing promotions, as well as view the studio’s location and contact information. Optimize your time and maximize the convenience of signing up for classes from your device. Download this App today!

       

    • Sign up for news from the field, workshops, classes, and upcoming events!

    • Leadership Team

      Innovators, Community Organizers, and Technologists

      Emile Cambry, Jr., Founder/CEO - is a business professor, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur born, raised in Chicago. After receiving his Bachelor's degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and his MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Emile gained experience in Investment Banking for J.P. Morgan Chase as well as teaching as he was a Professor at North Park University and recognized as one of the Top 50 Business School Professors. Perhaps Mr. Cambry’s largest project to date was founding the technology and entrepreneurship incubator, BLUE1647, expanding to several different locations across the Midwest. Emile has Produced films that have been licensed by HBO and Cinemax, as well as Showtime. Emile is the President of the Chicago International Social Change Festival which showcases films that heighten public consciousness. Rounding out Mr. Cambry’s experiences include being named on Chicago Crains Tech 50, a Top 100 Innovator in Chicago by the Chicago Tribune and a 40 Game Changer Under the Age of 40 awarded by WVON, Verizon Wireless, and Ariel Capital Management. Emile is also a recipient of the 2014 Impact Award by the Social Enterprise Alliance, and sits on Depaul University's Social Enterprise Collaborative.
      Kelley O. Cambry - Kelley is the co-creator of the Paige & Paxton Elementary STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum. Kelley and her team bring Paige & Paxton to life around the country through books, classroom curriculum and pop-up experiences (make-a-thons) in major cities in the U.S. to expose educators, kids and their parents to STEM education. Kelley was instrumental in leading nationally recognized STEM pipeline programs for girls and youth of color as one of the founding team members of the New York Chapter of Black Girls Code. She was also a lead member of the planning team for #YesWeCode youth hackathons, designed to expose middle and high school students to opportunities in computer science. After working with pipelining organizations, she realized the need to start STEM awareness and proficiency earlier in the funnel. She resigned her Assistant Vice President position at JP Morgan Chase to focus on Paige & Paxton, as the brand began to build traction by signing on major school systems, such as Chicago Public Schools. In addition to her role at JP Morgan Chase, Kelley has years of experience in financial services and digital marketing at Fortune 500 companies such as Walgreen Co., Discover Financial Services, and American Express. When Kelley is not working on Paige & Paxton, you can find her experimenting with recipes. Kelley is also an avid storyteller and has presented for General Assembly, 1871, New York University, Social Media Week, Internet Week and at the Chicago Moth. Kelley has been named "Crain's Chicago Business 20 in their 20s," received the "Power 30 Under 30™ award presented by Porsche in the Business category, received the "Chicago Scholars 35 under 35 Young Leaders Making an Impact" award, and was named a "Hero in Education" by the Soar Women's Empowerment Summit. Kelley is also a board member of the Evanston Community Foundation, which distributes over $1.3 million dollars in grants each year.
      Antonio Rowry, COO - Antonio Rowry is the COO of BLUE1647, an award-winning network of entrepreneurship and technology innovation centers, cofounder of the Edison Award-winning 21st Century Youth Project featured in CNN, Chicago Crain’s Business, SiliconANGLE, and Code Chicago where youth & adults receive cohort-based trainings in hardware and software development. Antonio graduated from DePaul University with a degree in Business Administration and Management, where he focused his studies on new venture enterprise and organizational frameworks. The same year, Antonio went on to win the Illinois Technology Associations “50 for the Future” award, which recognizes students for their outstanding achievement as future participants in the technology industry. With a passion for building organizations that make the world a better place, Antonio’s mission is to enhance diversity in tech and entrepreneurship.
      Kenneth Watkins, CSO - Kenneth Watkins is a Mobile and Web developer, speaker and instructor from Chicago. Kenneth also designed, and created applications (mobile and web) for organizations and Hackathons. Kenneth has worked with various sized organizations’ from startups to corporations. Additionally, Kenneth teaches and mentors high school and university students who are building applications and developing hardware products. He has keen awareness of multiple organizational perspectives, and has the skills to coordinate these functional views to achieve business goals.
      Jonathan Paul Cambry
      Tracy Powell, Managing Director of Blue Lacuna.
      Kaia Powell, Community Manager.
      Veronica Ludwig, Organizational Development Contributor to BLUE1647.
      Board Member, Michelle Singleton - Michelle D. Singleton grew up in Chicago, Illinois. A diverse background in manufacturing, finance, and engineering with experience from companies such as 3M, GE, PepsiCo and Honeywell. Currently, pursuing graduate studies in Mechanical and Power Systems Engineering in the Twin Cities area. A passion for community, financial literacy and STEM education has lead to board membership on Family Wise and Board Repair both non- profits in the Twin Cities area. Michelle is an avid reader who likes to travel, learn current software languages and teach financial literacy.
      Board Member, Martin Ankamah - Martin Ankamah completed his B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Tufts University and his M.B.A. at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He began his professional career at Procter & Gamble working as an engineer in materials development for films, adhesives and nonwovens in the feminine hygiene and diaper business. A strong interest in using strategy to maximize value and building higher performing organizations led him into brand management in P&G’s household care sector. To continue his career development and move closer to family, he joined ExxonMobil in Houston, TX as a market developer in the petrochemical division. He’s currently an account manager focused on providing solutions to customers that need high performance polyethylene, polypropylene and speciality resins for a variety of applications.
      Board Member, Dr. Anthony Williams - Dr. Anthony Williams was born and raised in the West Englewood Community on the South Side of Chicago. From there, he attended Occidental College in Los Angeles CA, where he was a standout athlete on the Men’s Baseball Team and high scholastic achiever, receiving a BA in Kinesiology/Pre-Medical Studies. Later, Dr. Williams received a PhD in Cancer Biology from the University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine. His thesis work focused on the development of micro- and nanoscale technologies to detect micrometastases and monitor therapeutic response in various cancers. Shortly following the defense of his thesis work, Dr. Williams co-founded a startup company, Circulogix, Inc, to commercialize a novel technology he developed as a graduate student, where he serves as its Chief Scientific Officer. Currently, Dr. Williams is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine in the Department of Surgery, Section of Urology. There, his studies are focused on 1) delineating mechanisms that drive castration-resistant prostate cancer, the lethal form of the disease, and 2) defining the biologic factors that play a critical role in driving prostate cancer disparities among African-American men. In this work, his primary objective is to expose key biomarkers and actionable drug targets against which novel therapies can be developed to improve clinical patient management. To date, Dr. Williams has co-authored over 20 book chapters, reviews and original research manuscripts, has received numerous accolades in honor of his work, including the UNCF-Merck Graduate Dissertation Fellowship, the UIC-Abraham Lincoln Research Fellowship Award, the AACR Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award, and holds several patents related to molecular diagnostic tools.

    • Events & Reservations

      BLUE|1647 facilitates member-led and community events - and expands collective knowledge with 250,000sq.ft. of unique event space, classrooms and conference rooms. Organizations and thought-leaders create a long-lasting impression for guests in a highly-hosted tech venue for presentations, professional talks, educational programs, and other extraordinary events. A BLUE|1647 host will guide your session including space selection, food and beverages, and technology.

       

      If you’d like to reserve space, or host an event at BLUE|1647, please fill out our Reservation Form below.

    • Contact Us

      Address: 2150 South Canalport Ave. Chicago, IL. 60608 2nd Floor.

      Public Open Hours: Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm, Saturday 10am-5pm | Plus evening and weekend programming.

      Guest policy: A member must accompany any guest at all times. All guests must be registered with the BLUE|1647 staff. The inviting member will be responsible for the guest’s actions at all times.

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    • General Inquiries

      Please contact us to set up a time to visit.

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    • Our Members

      Our members are inspired, hard-working creators who are committed to using their work in the world to create positive impact.  

      21st Century Youth Project

      Chicago International Social Change Film Festival

      Code Chicago

      Chicago Ruby

      Learning Dimensions

      Prenovate

      ChicagosNext

      Spanish with Salas

      Chicago Inventors Organization

      Paige & Paxton

      Charity Contributors of Chicago

      Impakt Studios

      Política Aberta

      Sprouting Leaders

      FLUIDITY

      Chase Charles Studio

      Expo Collective

      The IQ Loft

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      Would you like to support us?

       

       

      A donation to BLUE|1647 gives us the ability to support various programs throughout the year. We sincerely thank you for your generosity. BLUE|1647 is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

       

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    © 2018, BLUE|1647 a 501(c)(3) non-profit.