The Polsky Global Forum: Angel Investing is designed to teach participants about angel investing as an alternative investment class. The event will feature a session on ‘Angel Investing 101’, where participants will learn the basics of angel investing, why not to do it, how to start investing, the due diligence process, and how to close a deal. Attendees will hear from experienced angel investors and work through an investment simulation. The Forum will also feature special sessions related to impact investing and current opportunities in sectors such as energy, financial services, or healthcare. The event will conclude with a University of Chicago Alumni Entrepreneur Demo Day, featuring startups from the region that are currently fundraising.

The goal of this program is to provide education on angel investing to alumni that have the financial means, risk appetite, and general interest in funding entrepreneurial endeavors. By the end of the program, attendees will have an understanding of how angel investing works and gained enough preliminary information to inform their decision on whether they’ll go forward with becoming an angel investor. Attendees will also learn about impact investing and how they can incorporate a social mission into their investment strategy, as well as hear from industry experts about investment opportunities in specific sectors.