Startup Funding Opportunities
The Polsky Center provides capital to student-, faculty-, staff-, and alumni-led startup companies through capstone programs such as the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge, the George Shultz Innovation Fund, and the Polsky Build and Launch Accelerators.
We also have partnerships with external funds to support startups from across the University of Chicago ecosystem.
Programs
New Venture Challenge (NVC)
Offered to: Startups Led by Students and Alumni at the University of Chicago
There are four tracks of the NVC through which startup teams compete for more than $1 million of investment each year.
George Shultz Innovation Fund
Offered to: IP-Based Startups and Inventions at the University of Chicago
The George Shultz Innovation Fund invests up to $250,000 in promising startups from the UChicago ecosystem.
Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship Program (PF3)
Offered to: All University of Chicago Students
PF3 provides fellows with up to $24,000 in a SAFE investment paid out quarterly over a period of one year.
Alchemist Chicago
Offered to: Any founders, no UChicago affiliation required
Select startups chosen to participate in Alchemist Chicago receive a $50,000 SAFE investment.
Duality
Offered to: Any founders, no UChicago affiliation required
Startups chosen to participate in Duality receive a $50,000 SAFE investment.
Polsky Build and Launch Accelerators
Offered to: Startups Led by Students and Alumni at the University of Chicago
These accelerators provide a $10,000 SAFE investment to startups and a $5,000 stipend to eligible founders.
Harper Court Ventures
Harper Court Ventures is a $25 million deep tech fund that invests in transformative technologies emerging from the University of Chicago ecosystem.
UCM Ventures
As part of the University of Chicago, UCM Ventures provides access to clinical, operational, and entrepreneurial resources. Their partnership with the Polsky Center strengthens their ability to support early-stage companies in refining and scaling innovations.
