8 Students Receive 2026 Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowships to Work on Their Ventures Full Time

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation announced the eight recipients of the 2026 Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship (PF3), a program that supports graduating University of Chicago students who are committed to working full time on their startups.

Participating ventures may receive up to $24,000 through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), paid in installments over the course of a year. Fellows also receive ongoing support from the Polsky Center, including quarterly coaching check-ins.

PF3 is open to graduating UChicago students completing undergraduate or graduate degree programs. Applicants must be prepared to focus full time on their venture and have an incorporated business that has demonstrated credible traction.

The 2026 PF3 fellows and their startups are:

Sawiros Abebe, College ’26 // Haldune

Haldune automates debriefing, beginning with the military’s after-action review process. By transforming unstructured human accounts into a searchable repository of institutional knowledge, the platform helps high-stakes teams turn lessons learned into a lasting organizational asset.

Marta Majcherska-Agrawal, PhD ’26 // Revela Surgical

Revela Surgical is developing Revelascope, a novel videoscopic surgical retractor designed to improve visualization and ergonomics during complex procedures, including nipple-sparing mastectomies. By integrating a built-in camera and LED lighting, the device provides a real-time digital view of the surgical field while preserving the tactile feedback surgeons rely on.

Jolene Bernagene, MBA ’26 // The Dev Difference

The Dev Difference is a hiring intelligence platform that uses AI to conduct curated, multilayered first-round interviews. Designed for growing companies managing large applicant pools, the platform helps hiring teams gain deeper insights than a résumé alone can provide and identify candidates who are the best fit for each role.

Will Blanchard, MBA ’26 // WattShift

WattShift provides a single API that simplifies complex pricing structures across thousands of utilities. The platform enables manufacturers of thermostats, electric vehicles, heat pumps, batteries, and other connected technologies to help customers lower their energy bills while generating new recurring revenue through participation in the electric grid.

Sindhu Banerjee, MBA ’26 // BRAIV

BRAIV is building a precision psychiatry platform designed to help clinicians identify the right medications for patients sooner. By combining real-world outcomes data with machine learning, BRAIV aims to reduce trial-and-error prescribing and improve care for people living with depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions.

Suhan Selvan, MBA ’26 // Ampable

Ampable is building the home-charging infrastructure needed for the electric vehicle era while turning EV chargers into assets for the electric grid. The company helps multifamily properties electrify their parking facilities and connects their charging networks to the grid so vehicles can charge when energy is cleanest and least expensive. Its platform is designed to make charging more affordable for drivers, create new revenue and improve tenant retention for property owners, and support a more stable and resilient grid.

Matteo Caloia, College ’26 // (P)RiND

(P)RiND makes crunchy, oven-baked Parmesan snacks using high-quality Parmesan cheese and simple, all-natural ingredients. Each serving of (P)RiND Pops contains 30 grams of protein while remaining low in carbohydrates, gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian.

Shai Basys, MBA ’26 // Carelumi

Carelumi is a continuous credentialing and compliance platform that automates provider verification, licensing, payer enrollment, and privileging. By streamlining traditionally fragmented and time-intensive processes, Carelumi helps healthcare providers become credentialed and eligible to bill for their services more quickly.

For more information about the Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship, contact Paul Cavalieri at Paul.Cavalieri@chicagobooth.edu.