Chicago Booth Students
Collaboratorium
The Collaboratorium unites UChicago students with researchers, technologists, and faculty who want to explore the commercialization opportunities and business applications of their work. A great opportunity for Chicago Booth students, other graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, alumni, and faculty to connect, the program includes an opportunity for scientists and researchers to pitch as well as network with students about their cutting-edge research and technologies.
Polsky I-Corps
The Polsky I-Corps program empowers UChicago scientists, researchers, and students to test the commercial potential of their research and ideas. Supported with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and run by the Polsky Center, the I-Corps program is specifically designed for participants working on projects related to the STEM fields.
Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge
More recently, currently-enrolled Chicago Booth students are applying to take a UChicago science and technology startup through the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), Polsky’s top-ranked accelerator program. Phlaxis, a company founded by Eugene Bell Professor in Tissue Engineering at UChicago Jeff Hubbell, is developing a vaccine to prevent and treat peanut allergies. With the support of students, the company won second place and received nearly $280,000 in investment through the 2021 NVC.
Compass Deep Tech Accelerator Program
Built on a 25-year history of launching successful ventures, Compass is the Polsky Center’s deep tech accelerator program for University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory researchers interested in launching new startup companies. Chicago Booth students can join one of the Compass teams either as a Business Development Fellow or a Science Innovation Fellow.
George Shultz Innovation Fund
Managed by the Polsky Center, the George Shultz Innovation Fund provides up to $250,000 in co-investment funding for early stage tech ventures coming out of University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and the Marine Biological Laboratory. Chicago Booth students often join a startup team and develop the business plan for these early-stage science and technology companies.