Remembering Ed Kaplan: A Legacy of Innovation, Generosity, and Lasting Impact
The Polsky Center and the entire University of Chicago community are mourning the loss of Edward Kaplan, MBA ’71, a visionary entrepreneur, generous philanthropist, and beloved member of the University community.
Ed passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 82, leaving behind a profound legacy that has shaped the lives of countless entrepreneurs at Chicago Booth and beyond.
As cofounder and former CEO of Zebra Technologies, Ed helped transform industries with his pioneering barcode technology. His engineering and entrepreneurial accomplishments earned him recognition as High Tech Entrepreneur of the Year as well as numerous other accolades. But it was his commitment to the next generation of innovators that made him a pillar of the University of Chicago community.
Ed had a strong connection to Chicago Booth. He was a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in the entrepreneurial category in 1996. He served on the Council on Chicago Booth from 1995 to 2019, and was a founding member of the Polsky Council, of which he remained an active and passionate supporter for more than 25 years.
His most lasting contribution was establishing the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) Fund, which supported the university’s flagship startup accelerator program. Ed endowed the NVC’s traditional track and played a vital role in its evolution into one of the top-ranked programs in the world. Now in its 30th year, the NVC has launched more than 800 ventures and raised over $2 billion in funding, directly influencing Chicago’s reputation as a thriving hub for entrepreneurship.
“Ed was not just a supporter, he was a true partner and friend,” said Ellen Rudnick, senior advisor and former executive director of the Polsky Center. “He believed in the transformative power of ideas and the people behind them. His generosity and vision elevated the work of the Polsky Center and the entire University.”
Steve Kaplan, Neubauer Family Distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, longtime NVC faculty lead, and friend of Ed Kaplan, also reflected on his impact.
“Ed was an important catalyst in starting Booth’s entrepreneurship program, strongly encouraging Bob Hamada to launch the world-class program that we now have. And once Bob greenlighted it, Ed provided great advice and introductions,” said Kaplan. “The Polsky Center, the University of Chicago, and the entire Chicagoland entrepreneurship ecosystem would not be what it is today without Ed.”
Beyond the Booth School of Business, Ed and his wife Carol gave generously to other areas of the university, including the Center for Jewish Studies. Their philanthropy reflected a shared belief in the value of education, community, and making the world a better place.