Come learn about the thriving entrepreneurship and innovative ecosystem at the University of Chicago. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a resource for all UChicago faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as for local community entrepreneurs on the South Side of Chicago with no University affiliation. This past year, the Polsky Center launched the Alumni New Venture Challenge (ANVC), which is the fifth track of the nationally-ranked Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) startup accelerator program. The Alumni New Venture Challenge (ANVC) is open to all University of Chicago alumni who are in the process of launching and developing their startup ventures. The ANVC follows a similar phased timeline and rigorous, milestone-driven structure that is found in all tracks of the existing NVC. Alumni must apply to their local regional program and accepted startups will get the chance to receive dedicated support and mentoring from the Polsky Center and seasoned alumni entrepreneurs and investors across the globe. Semifinals are hosted in each local region and the ANVC global finals will be held in Chicago as part of UChicago Innovation Fest 2020. At the finals, alumni startups are competing for up to $100,000 in funding and prizes. Come learn about how to apply to the ANVC for the 2019-20 academic year and get a guided tour of the Polsky Exchange, a 34,000 square foot business incubator and startup hub on 53rd Street, which is managed by the Polsky Center and located in the heart of the growing innovation district of Hyde Park. Take a tour of the wide array of resources that are currently available to entrepreneurs and innovators who are Polsky members, including the state-of-the-art fabrication and prototyping lab, mentorship appointments with leading industry experts, the business incubator program, and more than 450 events and workshops per year to support entrepreneurs. Guided tours and free breakfast will be provided. The Polsky Exchange can be reached by taking either the Polsky or 53^rd Street University of Chicago shuttles. This event is part of Alumni Reconnect Weekend 2019 and is open to the public.

This event is part of UChicago Innovation Fest 2019, a month-long celebration of pioneering discovery and entrepreneurial endeavors at the University of Chicago. Organized by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the series of events, workshops and accelerator programs, including the globally recognized Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge, highlights the breadth and impact of innovation at UChicago in the areas of entrepreneurship and research commercialization, scientific advancements, and social and global impact. This year’s Innovation Fest will take place May 1-June 9, 2019. For more information, visit innofest.uchicago.edu.