Chris Gladwin is an American inventor, computer engineer, and serial entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of several industry-defining tech companies. From founding innovative ventures like MusicNow, Cleversafe, and Ocient to making groundbreaking contributions to data storage and analytics, Gladwin’s work has fundamentally reshaped modern IT solutions. Today, he remains a central figure in the growth of the technology ecosystem in Chicago and across the United States. Read more on chicago-future.
Biography
Chris Gladwin grew up in a family of medical professionals in suburban Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from Upper Arlington High School, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1986. This rigorous academic background served as the launchpad for his career in high-tech innovation.
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Following his time at MIT, Gladwin joined Martin Marietta (the defense contractor that later merged into Lockheed Corporation) as a manager for new technologies. There, he focused on the development of advanced database and storage systems.
In 1996, Gladwin founded Cruise Technologies, a pioneer in the mobile computing space that developed wireless tablet computers—years before they became mainstream. The company was eventually acquired by the NEC Corporation of America.
In 1999, he launched MusicNow, one of the first internet-based music subscription platforms. It secured licenses from major labels like EMI, Sony/BMG, Universal, and Warner Music Group. After building a significant user base, MusicNow was sold to Circuit City, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital music.
P33 Chicago
Gladwin is deeply committed to building Chicago’s tech identity. He serves as co-chair of P33 Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to transforming the city into a premier global technology hub while driving inclusive economic growth. Founded in 2019 by a leadership group including Penny Pritzker and Gladwin, the organization focuses on scaling startups and bridging the gap between local IT communities and global tech giants.
Cleversafe
One of Gladwin’s most notable achievements is Cleversafe, a Chicago-based company founded in 2004 that specialized in object storage. Cleversafe developed the “Dispersed Storage Network” (dsNet) technology, which secures and scales massive datasets by slicing and distributing them across multiple servers. Cleversafe became an industry leader with one of the most powerful patent portfolios in the field. In 2015, IBM acquired the company for approximately $1.3 billion, integrating its technology into the IBM Cloud Object Storage platform.
In 2016, he teamed up with George Kondiles and Joe Jablonski to co-found Ocient, a company focused on high-performance analytics for hyperscale data. Ocient has drawn significant investment from firms like OCA Ventures and In-Q-Tel to further advance its data processing capabilities.
With over 280 issued patents to his name, Gladwin is recognized globally as a leading innovator. His contributions to data storage and processing continue to be celebrated by experts worldwide.
Philanthropy and Civic Engagement
Gladwin is a vocal advocate for tech education and infrastructure. In 2015, he donated $7.6 million to the Illinois Institute of Technology to boost its computer science program and currently serves on the university’s Board of Trustees. He also spearheaded the creation of the Active Computational Thinking (ACT) Center at Illinois Tech, a hub for partnerships between academia and industry focused on AI and computational science.
Beyond tech, Gladwin chairs the board for “The Forge: Lemont Quarries,” a 300-acre adventure park near Chicago that opened in 2020. He is a strong proponent of conservation and the development of public spaces. His support was also instrumental in launching the Illinois Tech College of Computing in 2020, further solidifying Chicago’s status as a leader in high-tech education.
Chris Gladwin exemplifies the modern tech entrepreneur. Through his successful ventures, his influence on data infrastructure, and his commitment to community initiatives, he remains a defining figure in today’s technological landscape.