ADVANCING
innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world.
What We Do
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Impact
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago provides support for entrepreneurial careers, startup acceleration, technology commercialization, and local businesses.
We connect students, researchers, founders, investors, and industry partners to accelerate innovation. Through programs, events, mentorship, funding, technology licensing, and more, the Polsky Center helps bold ideas move from the lab, classroom, and community to the world.
Information for you
Find resources for your role
Who We are
About us
The Polsky Center is powered by a diverse network of professionals, advisors, mentors, and partners working together to advance innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Chicago ecosystem.
Our impact
at a glance
231
Invention Disclosures
$22M
Licensing Revenue
30
IP Licenses
Explore startups
Venture Gallery
View startups founded from across the University of Chicago ecosystem in a range of industries. Connect with founders directly if interested in their startup.
Featured News
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40 Startups to Present at Midwest Deep Tech Demo Day in San Francisco
The inaugural Deep Tech Demo Day in 2025, held at Pear VC in San Francisco. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the 40 startups from…
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$2.1 Million Awarded at the 2026 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; Cancer Pathology AI Company Takes First
Slideflow Labs, a cancer pathology AI company, has won first place at the 30th Annual Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), during which $2.1 million was…
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8 Midwestern Universities Launch Third Coast Foundry to Connect Startups with Bay Area Venture Capital
The University of Chicago, in partnership with seven other leading Midwestern universities, today announced the launch of Third Coast Foundry, a new San Francisco–based hub designed to strengthen…
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Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon 2026: Beyond the Hype
Last week, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Chicago Booth’s Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital (EVC) Group hosted the Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon 2026, the University of…
Upcoming Events
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Pizza with Polsky: College Student Programming Preview
Curious about entrepreneurship and innovation at UChicago? Join us for pizza and a look at the Polsky Center programs open to college students.
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Info Session: Innovation Fund Associates (IFA) Program
The Innovation Fund Associates (IFA) program is structured as a venture capital apprenticeship, where associates learn by doing as part of an interdisciplinary…
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Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop: ETA @ Booth
Join the Chicago Booth Entrepreneurship-Through-Acquisition (ETA) Group and the Polsky Center for a session on ETA opportunities and resources at Booth for full-time…
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Info Session: Water Street Private Equity Case Challenge (PECC)
The Water Street Private Equity Case Challenge (PECC) is a case competition that enables teams from Chicago Booth to assess the potential for…