Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program
The Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program was established to accelerate Chicago Booth’s offerings related to energy transition, renewable energy infrastructure, and entrepreneurial leadership, with the goal of training the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the core elements of the global energy transition.
Made possible by a generous $12.5 million gift from Chicago Booth alumnus Michael Polsky, MBA ’87, the founder, president, and CEO of Invenergy, the gift will enable students to benefit from expanded co-curricular educational programming, career support, courses, and other offerings focused on energy transition.
Entrepreneurial Funding
Inspired by the global need for innovation in the energy transition space, the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program will support student and faculty ventures through various funding opportunities.
Funding will be awarded to teams participating in select Polsky Center accelerators, including the New Venture Challenge (all tracks) and Build and Launch Accelerator, as well as to Booth-affiliated teams involved in other Polsky Center programs.
Educational Programs and Events
The gift will also support co-curricular educational opportunities, including:
- Entrepreneurial Internship Program support, providing stipends to current MBA students working for startups in the energy transition industry.
- Mentorship by entrepreneurial leaders in the field of energy transition through the Polsky Center’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Mentorship Programs.
- Career counseling to support students’ career development in this industry, offered in coordination with Booth Career Services and the Polsky Center.
- Energy transition keynote speaker events featuring current thought leaders from industry or the public sector.
Scholarship and Faculty Engagement
Michael Polsky’s generous gift also supports areas outside the Polsky Center, including scholarship support, faculty engagement, and curriculum development at Chicago Booth. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the following sites:
Michael Polsky’s $12.5 million gift is part of a larger donation to the University of Chicago totaling $25 million to establish the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy. Read more here >>
About Michael Polsky, MBA ’87
Michael Polsky, MBA ’87, is the founder and CEO of Invenergy, a leading privately held developer, owner, and operator of sustainable energy solutions. With nearly 30 years of experience in the energy industry, Polsky is widely recognized as a pioneer and leader in North America’s cogeneration and independent power industry.
In 2002, Polsky endowed the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago with a $7 million gift, creating a central hub for entrepreneurship education, venture creation, and innovation. He followed this up in 2012 with an additional $8 million to enable the Polsky Center to serve as a venture creation engine for the entire University. Through additional philanthropic support, including a $35 million gift in 2016, he helped expand the center’s mission across the University and beyond, supporting students, faculty, alumni, researchers, and community entrepreneurs.
In 2025, Michael and Tanya Polsky extended their support for energy innovation and leadership through a combined $100 million gift to the World Resources Institute (WRI) and UChicago. The gift established the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy, including significant support for the Polsky Center to expand energy transition entrepreneurship, startup funding, experiential learning, mentorship, and career support for students pursuing work in clean, abundant, affordable, and reliable energy.