Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago Unclaimed

Accelerates student ventures, generating billions in funding and value.

Intensive support for students to develop and fund their entrepreneurial ventures.

Accelerates deep tech startups with specialized training and funding.

Empowers entrepreneurs with workspace, mentorship, and extensive programming.

Accelerates early-stage science startups with advanced facilities and experienced guidance.

Facilitates commercialization of inventions from research at UChicago through licensing and partnerships.

Access a variety of educational workshops and training at your convenience.

Learn to utilize AI in business workflows for competitive advantage.

Gain resilience and practical strategies for operating acquired businesses from industry leaders.

Gain valuable insights on applying emotional intelligence to investing careers.

Access tailored insights into capital funding for small businesses from experts.

University-Affiliated Startups

University-affiliated students and faculty building ventures seeking education and funding.

University Research Spinouts

University-origin deep-tech startups seeking licensing, funding, and strategic partnerships.

Local Entrepreneurs And Small Businesses

Local entrepreneurs seeking mentorship, programs and workspace.

Programs that provide intensive coaching, mentorship, structured tracks, and funding outcomes to accelerate student and early-stage ventures toward market traction.

Workshops, courses, and on-demand learning focused on founder skills, investor readiness, sector-specific operational capabilities (including AI), and career pathways in entrepreneurship.

Capabilities that manage invention disclosure, licensing, industry partnership formation, and commercialization pathways to move university research into licensed products or startups.

Events and programming that connect founders with capital providers, teach fundraising best practices, and prepare teams to make effective investor asks.

Physical infrastructure, wet lab space, and domain-focused incubation that support life sciences, quantum, clean energy, and data science ventures with equipment, management expertise, and collaborative facilities.

New Venture Challenge

The New Venture Challenge is Polsky Center’s top-ranked accelerator program with five tracks designed to accelerate student ventures. It has graduated over 300 active companies that have raised more than $2.3 billion in funding and generated more than $15.4 billion in value.

• Raise Funding Efficiently
  The program enables startups to leverage resources and mentorship for effective fundraising, connecting them with investors and opportunities crucial for growth.
• Join a Robust Alumni Network
  Participating in the NVC integrates startups into a network of successful alumni who have navigated similar challenges, fostering collaboration and support.
• Create Significant Market Impact
  Startups graduating from the NVC have demonstrated exceptional market value, contributing positively to the economy and setting benchmarks for success.
• Gain Expert Guidance
  Participants benefit from the insights of seasoned entrepreneurs and experts, providing critical guidance that enhances business strategies and execution.
• Tailored Pathways for Ventures
  The program offers distinct tracks catering to various business types, allowing teams to choose the pathway that best matches their market strategy and needs.

Build and Launch Accelerators

The Build and Launch accelerators provide students the opportunity to work intensively on their ventures in a collaborative environment with access to coaching, programming, and funding.

• Secure Funding To Grow Ventures
  Selected teams gain access to funds needed to advance their projects, allowing them to focus on growth and expansion without financial burden.
• Enhance Skills With Expert Coaching
  Participants receive expert coaching to strengthen their entrepreneurial skills, navigate challenges, and develop their business ideas effectively.
• Collaborate With Peers And Experts
  Teams work alongside peers and advisors, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages knowledge sharing and innovation.

Polsky Deep Tech Ventures

Polsky Deep Tech Ventures integrates Chicago Booth’s entrepreneurial training with deep foundational scientific research, offering domain-specific accelerators in addition to startup services, education, and funding to move discoveries toward market.

• Leverage Booth’s Expertise
  Harnessing Chicago Booth's resources enhances entrepreneurial training vital for startups.
• Provide Specialized Support
  Facilitating tailored support ensures startups receive focused guidance in their technical fields.
• Access Comprehensive Resources
  Offering a broad range of resources empowers startups to scale effectively and efficiently.
• Secure Early-Stage Capital
  Providing avenues for funding stimulates startup growth and market entry.
• Connect With Industry Leaders
  Bridging startups with established industry leaders fosters innovation and investment opportunities.
• Enhance Entrepreneurial Skills
  Workshops aim to enhance skills critical for success in the tech startup landscape.

Polsky Exchange

Polsky Exchange is a member-driven hub offering workspace access, more than 450 annual programs and workshops, and mentorship from over 100 specialists. It also houses a Small Business Development Center providing no-cost, one-on-one confidential business advice to entrepreneurs and business owners.

• Leverage Expert Mentorship
  Members receive one-on-one support from experienced mentors, assisting them in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
• Access Tailored Business Advice
  The center aids both pre-venture entrepreneurs and established business owners with strategic advice and support.
• Participate in Dynamic Learning
  Members can attend workshops to enhance their skills, gain insights, and connect with fellow entrepreneurs.
• Utilize Collaborative Workspace
  Members enjoy a professional environment to develop their ideas and business ventures, with resources available onsite.

UChicago Science Incubator

The UChicago Science Incubator provides early-stage life sciences, quantum, clean energy, and data science startups with access to state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, wet lab space and equipment, and seasoned management expertise. Located in Hyde Park Labs, it brings together startups, researchers, and industry experts.

• Provides Expert Guidance
  Expert management support assists startups in navigating early-stage challenges.
• Offers Advanced Facilities
  Access to cutting-edge equipment and support services enhances startup development.
• Access to Wet Lab Facilities
  Essential resources for life sciences startups to conduct vital experiments and research.
• Situated at Hyde Park Labs
  Proximity to the University of Chicago’s campus fosters collaboration with researchers and faculty.
• Fosters Collaborative Innovation
  Encourages partnerships that enhance innovation and commercial viability of technologies.

Technology Licensing & Transfer (Polsky Tech Commercialization)

Polsky Center’s Tech Transfer Office manages technology licensing and commercialization, serving as the central resource for transforming discoveries into products, services, and ventures.

• Access Resources For Inventions
  The initial step for researchers to gain support in patenting and commercializing their discoveries.
• Transform Research Into Market-Ready Solutions
  Allows companies to leverage University-developed technologies to create impactful products.
• Catalyze Ideas Into Impact
  Fosters collaborations between researchers and businesses to accelerate the development and market entry of new technologies.
• Explore Innovation Portfolios
  Highlights successful UChicago startups and technological innovations, connecting them with potential partners.
• Secure Investment For Startups
  Provides financial support to early-stage ventures based on UChicago research and innovations.

Polsky On Demand

Polsky On Demand is an online portal of workshops and trainings that can be accessed on demand.

• Access Workshops Anytime
  Polsky On Demand provides users with flexible access to a diverse set of educational resources, allowing them to engage in learning at their own pace and schedule.

Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Scaling with AI

Entrepreneurship Essentials E2: Scaling with AI is a Polsky Center workshop exploring how to set up autonomous AI agents that plan, decide, and execute real business workflows, turning AI from a thought partner into an operator.

• Transform AI Functionality
  This feature enables businesses to shift AI's role from merely providing insights to actively participating in decision-making and operational tasks.
• Implement AI Agents
  Participants will learn the necessary steps to deploy AI systems capable of autonomously managing business tasks, facilitating increased efficiency and effectiveness.
• Hands-on Learning
  Participants engage in interactive exercises that reinforce the application of AI strategies in business, ensuring effective skill acquisition.
• Flexible Attendance Options
  This feature provides attendees with the option to participate in-person or virtually, accommodating various preferences and needs.

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition ETA Workshop focuses on resilience and the mindset needed to operate acquired businesses, with insights from industry leaders and opportunities for networking.

• Develop Resilience Skills
  The workshop emphasizes the importance of resilience, equipping participants with the mindset needed to navigate challenges in entrepreneurship.
• Gain Valuable Industry Insights
  Participants learn directly from experienced industry leaders who share their knowledge about overcoming challenges in business operations.
• Connect With Peers And Experts
  The workshop fosters connections, allowing participants to expand their professional network and collaborate with peers and industry experts.

Investing Essentials: Lessons from Failure

Investing Essentials: Lessons from Failure is a Polsky Center workshop focused on emotional intelligence, guiding participants to connect personal life lessons with strategies for building a successful career in investing.

• Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence Skills
  Participants will learn how emotional intelligence plays a critical role in investment decision-making and how to apply it effectively.
• Connect Life Lessons To Your Career
  This feature emphasizes how personal experiences and lessons learned can inform and enhance one's approach to a career in investing.

Capital Access: Mona Ventures

Capital Access: Mona Ventures is a Polsky Center event series featuring capital providers and guidance on accessing forms of capital, including what makes a successful ask and examples of success stories.

• Learn Effective Ways To Ask
  Gain insights on structuring your capital ask, ensuring clarity and impact to attract funding.
• Gain Insights From Real Scenarios
  Explore real-world examples of successful capital access and how they achieved their goals to learn practical approaches.
• Understand Funding Options
  Learn about various funding sources available for businesses, including grants, loans, and angel investments.