grow
your business with the Polsky Exchange.
local Business Owners
Through the Polsky Exchange and the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange, local business owners gain access to experienced advisors, educational programs, and a network of resources designed to strengthen operations, expand opportunities, and build long-term success.
Members include business owners and innovators in the community, as well as UChicago students, faculty, and staff who are actively working on entrepreneurial ventures or involved in Polsky Center programs. As a member of the Polsky Exchange, you have access to several resources, including co-working space.
The Polsky Exchange is on Hyde Park’s vibrant 53rd Street corridor and is open Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Polsky Exchange Programs
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Business Acumen Series
Strengthen core business skills through workshops focused on strategy, operations, finance, and decision-making.
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Capital Access Series
Learn how to access funding and capital resources through workshops and presentations from investors and lenders.
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E-Commerce Growth Program
Help grow your business online through coaching, digital strategy, and e-commerce support.
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Focus Group
Gain insights into your target market, customers, and competitive landscape to inform smarter business decisions.
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Innovate2Market
Explore the commercial opportunities and potential impact of your products and ideas.
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Market Navigator
Use market research and AI-powered tools to identify customers, analyze markets, and uncover growth opportunities.
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On Deck Pitch
Strengthen your pitch and presentation skills to better communicate with investors, lenders, and partners.
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Small Business Financial Fundamentals
Build stronger financial management skills to help support and grow your business.
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Small Business Growth Program
Address key business challenges and determine new strategies for business growth with support from UChicago grad students.
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Small Business Market Research Clinic
Work with Chicago Booth students to conduct market research and uncover new business opportunities.
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Tech Enablement Series
Learn how digital tools and emerging technologies can help improve business operations and growth.
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The New Business Start Support Program
Turn an idea into an official business through one-on-one advising and hands-on compliance support.
Small Business Development Center
The Illinois Small Business Development (SBDC) Center at the Polsky Exchange offers no-cost, one-on-one confidential business advice to pre-venture entrepreneurs and existing business owners seeking assistance with growth plans, marketing strategy, financial reviews, and more.
Polsky Exchange FAQs
The Polsky Exchange is not accepting new members at this time, but our staff will contact you when membership reopens in summer 2026.
Interested in being a member of the Polsky Exchange? Fill out our waiting list form.
As a member of the Polsky Exchange, the following resources are available to you:
- Workspace: Access the workspace at the Exchange Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm. This includes access to the conference rooms for hosting business meetings and conference calls.
- Small Business Development Center: Offering no-cost, one-on-one confidential business advice to pre-venture entrepreneurs and existing business owners seeking assistance with growth plans, marketing strategy, financial reviews, and more.
- Programs and Workshops: Invitations to workshops on innovation and entrepreneurship topics, and assistance in applying to the Polsky Center’s free, cohort-based programs for community entrepreneurs such as the Small Business Growth Program and Small Business Financial Fundamentals.
- Mentorship: The Polsky Center has 100+ mentors who are ready to meet with you virtually or in person and assist you in navigating your business challenges and to plan for growth and scale.
- Tech Bar: On-site IT Services assistance for members is available at Polsky Exchange North.
Your membership swipe card remains active; please use it to enter the building. The building has security personnel available to monitor access to the Polsky Exchange, allow members to come in and out as needed, and maintain a safe and welcoming environment. If you are not yet a member, please join our waiting list here >>
Naaman Williams at the IT services desk at Polsky Exchange North can assist with printing and grant access to the printer to active members.
For questions about Polsky Exchange programming, email Barbara Agyapong at bagyapong@uchicago.edu.
For questions about the Small Business Growth and Small Business Financial Fundamentals programs, email Isra Omar at iomar@uchicago.edu.
To contact our Small Business Development Center, reach out to SBDC Director Vince Beachum at beachum@uchicago.edu.
To reach our on-site Tech Bar, email Naaman Williams at ncwill@uchicago.edu.
For all general inquiries, email polsky@uchicago.edu.