News

$2.1 Million Awarded at the 2026 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; Cancer Pathology AI Company Takes First

June 5, 2026

Slideflow Labs, a cancer pathology AI company, has won first place at the 30th Annual Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), during which $2.1 million was awarded to...

From NVC Finalist to Global Investor, Koichiro Nakamura Continues to Support the Program That Helped Shape His Path

June 1, 2026

As part of the NVC@30 celebration, Nakamura reflected on his journey from Booth student and two-time NVC finalist to Sozo Ventures cofounder, Polsky Council member, NVC judge, and longtime supporter...

Rattan L. Khosa Took a Risk to Build Something New and Now Helps NVC Founders Do the Same

May 28, 2026

Rattan L. Khosa speaks to the students at SeedCon 2025. As part of the NVC@30 celebration, Rattan L. Khosa, ’79, reflected on his entrepreneurial journey, his connection to Booth, and...

10 Startups to Compete for Over $1 Million at 30th Annual Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge Finals

May 21, 2026

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the 10 teams advancing to the finals of the 30th annual Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), the Chicago Booth School...

Global New Venture Challenge Announces 7 Finalists Competing for Investments

May 20, 2026

2024 GNVC Winner Investable Seven teams have been selected for the 19th annual Global New Venture Challenge (GNVC) finals, taking place on Friday, June 5. The GNVC is a track of the New...

The Polsky Center Announces the Inaugural AI Research Commons Midwest Fellows Program Cohort

May 19, 2026

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the inaugural cohort of startups selected to participate in the AI Research Commons (ARC) Midwest Fellows Program, a highly selective initiative designed...

From Mississippi to the Last Frontier: Ben Frazer’s Path to ETA in Alaska

May 18, 2026

Growing up in a small town in Mississippi, entrepreneurship was close to home for Ben Frazer, MBA ’25. His father founded a business in 2000, and from an early age...

The Cofounder Test Too Many Startups Skip

May 12, 2026

The following article was written by Ale Breuer, clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and originally published in Crain’s Chicago on April 20. More than 23%...

The Polsky Center Announces the 20 Startups Selected for India Deep Tech Accelerator

May 6, 2026

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the 20 startups selected to join the inaugural cohort of the India Deep Tech Accelerator, a global accelerator designed to help high-potential, Indian...

The Polsky Center Announces 2026 Build and Launch Summer Accelerator Cohorts

May 5, 2026

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the startups selected to participate in the 2026 Build and Launch Summer Accelerators — intensive, 10-week programs designed to help student...

NVC@30 Fireside Chat with Sebastian Rivas Explores Building Andes from NVC Winner to Real Estate Asset Platform

April 30, 2026

As part of the NVC@30 Fireside Chat series, the Polsky Center welcomed Sebastian Rivas, MBA ’21, founder and CEO of Andes, to discuss his entrepreneurial journey, his experience in the...

The Coasts Don’t Own Innovation. They Just Own the Capital.

April 24, 2026

Innovation is no longer confined to a few coastal cities. We know that well in the Midwest. Across the region, our universities, research labs, and entrepreneurs are launching companies in...

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