college Students
Explore entrepreneurship, join startup teams, build innovative ideas, and gain real-world startup experience while completing your undergraduate degree at UChicago.
Our impact
at a glance
1,000+
Students Engaged Annually
400+
Startups Launched
30+
Student Programs
Entrepreneurship Starts Here
Whether you are exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, joining a startup team, or developing your own venture, the Polsky Center provides opportunities for College students to gain real-world experience, build entrepreneurial skills, and connect with founders, mentors, and investors across the UChicago ecosystem.
OPPORTUNITIES
Accelerators, startup competitions, and venture-building opportunities for undergraduate founders.
- College New Venture Challenge
- Build & Launch Programs
Hands-on exposure to startups, investing, and venture capital through experiential learning and mentorship.
- VC Programming Investment Workshops
Connect with founders, investors, and Polsky advisors for startup guidance and support.
- Office Hours
- Founder Mentorship
Gain practical experience through internships, collaborative projects, and innovation-focused opportunities.
- Startup Internships
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Featured Programs
New Venture Challenge
Launch and grow a company through the University’s nationally recognized startup accelerator program with four specialized tracks.
Build and Launch Summer Accelerators
Spend the summer advancing your startup, research, or business idea through immersive programming designed to help founders at different stages.
Collaboratorium
Showcase your research, technology, or ideas and develop a better understanding of the next steps to pursue a business opportunity.
Student Success Stories
College Founder
College Student, MBA ’04
The UChicago Science Incubator provides early-stage life sciences, quantum, clean energy, and data science companies with access to state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, cutting-edge wet lab space and equipment, and seasoned management expertise.
Located in Hyde Park Labs, a 300,000+ square-foot facility near the University of Chicago’s main campus and medical center.
College Founder
College Student, MBA ’04
Third Coast Foundry is a new physical space in San Francisco for partner university-founded startups and teams traveling to the Bay Area.
Designed to improve access to venture capital and networks on the West Coast without requiring startups to relocate, it provides opportunities for investors, alumni, and other partners to engage through meetings, events, and programming. At its core, Third Coast Foundry is a bridge between Midwest innovation and coastal capital.
College Founder
College Student, MBA ’04
The UChicago Science Incubator provides early-stage life sciences, quantum, clean energy, and data science companies with access to state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, cutting-edge wet lab space and equipment, and seasoned management expertise.
Located in Hyde Park Labs, a 300,000+ square-foot facility near the University of Chicago’s main campus and medical center.
Connect Across the UChicago Community
College students have access to a cross-disciplinary community of founders, researchers, MBA students, investors, and mentors through programs, events, and collaborative spaces like the Polsky Exchange.
Events
Start Building What’s Next
Build your startup
Access programming and funding to launch and grow your startup.
Form a team
Connect with other students who are building startups across campus.
Find a mentor
Book one-on-one meetings with industry experts and experienced entrepreneurs.