Alchemist Chicago
Advance your early-stage startup with access to Alchemist’s Silicon Valley best practices and capital pathways, and UChicago’s innovation ecosystem. Read More
Alumni
Application Deadline: AI Research Commons Midwest Fellows Program
The AI Research Commons Midwest Fellows Program is a highly selective program connecting high-potential, inception-stage AI startups emerging from leading Midwest research universities with infrastructure, mentorship, and national investor networks. Launched in collaboration with the AI Research Commons (ARC), Microsoft, and NVIDIA, the program is open to faculty,… Read More
UChicago Tech Ventures Demo Day
The UChicago Tech Ventures Demo Day, hosted by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, is a signature event highlighting the next generation of deep tech startups emerging from the Midwest. Designed to spark dialogue and discovery of deep tech, the event will take place on July 20 during Tech… Read More
Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) Finals
Join us for the finals of the 30th annual Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC). NVC finalists will present to a panel of judges comprised of top investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. Prizes — which include cash awards and in-kind services such as legal and professional consulting services… Read More
George Shultz Innovation Fund Finals
The George Shultz Innovation Fund finals will feature startup teams who have been selected as finalists for potential investment. Each team will pitch to the advisory committee, consisting of advisors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts for a chance to receive up to $250,000 in investment funding for promising early-stage ventures in… Read More
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Finding Your “Best-Fit” Customers, Led by Liz Fischer
Join the Polsky Center and Liz Fischer, growth-stage tech CEO and Chicago Booth MBA ’15, for an informative workshop for founders and startup leaders who want to stop chasing every lead and start focusing on their highest-potential market. This session will help you evaluate the right size market for your… Read More
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Scaling with AI, Led by Phil Leslie
Join the Polsky Center and Phil Leslie for a dynamic follow up to his previous workshop exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping competitive intelligence and strategic decision-making. You already know how to prompt AI; now it’s time to build systems that act. This session explores how to set up autonomous… Read More
Application Deadline: Build and Launch Accelerators
The Polsky Center Build and Launch summer accelerators give teams the opportunity to work intensively and solely on their businesses and social enterprises in a collaborative and dynamic environment over the summer. The Build accelerator allows students to focus on building the key elements of their venture and validating assumptions around their market or customers,… Read More
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Early Stage Legal Matters and Raising Capital, with Scott Smedresman
Join the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Scott Smedresman, partner at Brown Rudnick LLP, for an informative and practical workshop designed to help founders navigate the legal landscape of forming a company, handling founder matters, and closing on first capital. This session will be in-person with a virtual… Read More
Annual Climate, Energy & Sustainability (CES) Conference
Led by keynote remarks from Michael Polsky, founder and CEO of Invenergy, the Annual Climate, Energy & Sustainability (CES) Conference convenes Chicago Booth students, alumni, and industry leaders for a full-day exploration of renewable energy pathways, evolving policy landscapes, and climate finance. Held at the University Club of Chicago, the… Read More
Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Competitive Intelligence – Using AI, with Phil Leslie
Join the Polsky Center and Phil Leslie to explore how AI is transforming competitive intelligence and giving today’s founders an advantage no previous generation has had. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to use AI to clearly see how competitors position themselves, who they truly target, and where they… Read More
Winter 2026 Collaboratorium
The Collaboratorium connects UChicago students with researchers, technologists, and faculty who want to explore the commercialization opportunities and business applications of their work. This event brings together Chicago Booth students, other graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, alumni, and faculty, and also includes opportunities for scientists and researchers to pitch and… Read More