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Polsky Center Teams with Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago to Mentor Young Entrepreneurs

Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to providing innovative programs in a safe and positive environment to empower the city’s youth to reach their full potential, is proud to announce the kick-off of its second round of the StartUp LaunchPad program.

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) to connect University of Chicago Booth School of Business students with young entrepreneurs through the StartUp LaunchPad program.

The BGCC program is an advanced initiative designed to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs – aiming to foster business acumen, creativity, and confidence among participating BGCC members by creating, planning, testing, pitching, and launching their first startup in their community.

This year, through a partnership with the Polsky Center, BGCC members will have the unique opportunity to work with Chicago Booth MBA candidates who will serve as mentors to help program participants refine their business ideas, sharpen their pitches, and enhance their overall entrepreneurial strategies.

>> Applications to be a mentor are due February 10 at 3:00 p.m.

“At the Polsky Center, we have been fortunate to see students have incredible success with their startup ventures, and we are always trying to find new ways to support them and offer experiences for them to learn,” said Paul Cavalieri, senior associate director of small business operations at the Polsky Center. “Through StartUp Launchpad, we are providing our student entrepreneurs at Chicago Booth an opportunity to share what they have learned while gaining new experiences and perspectives by working with Chicago’s next generation of founders.”

During its pilot last year, StartUp LaunchPad awarded more than $20,000 in seed funding to five teams.

“This initiative is breaking barriers and opening doors to success for those who may not have had access to such mentorship and support to turn their business ideas into reality,” said Marco De La Rosa, chief program officer at Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “What truly sets this program apart is its real-world funding and commitment to representation and inclusivity.”

StartUp LaunchPad is presented in partnership with Uncharted Learning, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial skills in young minds. The success of the program marks a significant step forward in equipping young entrepreneurs with the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.

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