Join us for an engaging evening showcasing 27 emerging deep tech startups from the Alchemist Chicago accelerator!

Who is invited to attend?

Students from the University of Chicago, Northwestern, the University of Illinois Chicago, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and the Illinois Institute of Technology are invited to participate!

What you can expect:

More than a showcase of cutting-edge technologies, the event offers the chance to meet potential cofounders, discover startups you may one day join, and build connections that can shape your entrepreneurial journey.

Attendees will engage directly with startup teams, contributing perspectives on market opportunities, competitive landscapes, and business models. These conversations allow students to demonstrate academic rigor and business insight while forging meaningful professional relationships.

Networking also plays a central role. Partnerships with startups are not guaranteed, but students may connect with founders who are exploring collaborations and seeking the right talent.

What is Alchemist Chicago?

Alchemist Chicago, a premier early-stage accelerator for deep tech, is a partnership between Alchemist and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Located near legacy-industry hubs ripe for disruption, Alchemist Chicago links world-class research with Silicon Valley best practices, capital, and global networks, positioning founders to turn scientific breakthroughs into market-defining companies.

AGENDA:

5:00 p.m. – 5:10 p.m. // Registration

5:10 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. // Opening Remarks (Samir Mayekar)

5:15 p.m. – 5:20 p.m. // Introduction (Shyama Majumdar)

5:20 p.m. – 6:05 p.m. // Alchemist Chicago Startup Pitches

6:05 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. // Networking

Thank you to IBM and our event sponsors.