ADVANCING
innovative ideas and technologies from the University of Chicago ecosystem to the world.
What We Do
Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Impact
The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago provides support for entrepreneurial careers, startup acceleration, technology commercialization, and local businesses.
We connect students, researchers, founders, investors, and industry partners to accelerate innovation. Through programs, events, mentorship, funding, technology licensing, and more, the Polsky Center helps bold ideas move from the lab, classroom, and community to the world.
Information for you
Find resources for your role
Who We are
About us
The Polsky Center is powered by a diverse network of professionals, advisors, mentors, and partners working together to advance innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Chicago ecosystem.
Our impact
at a glance
231
Invention Disclosures
$22M
Licensing Revenue
30
IP Licenses
Explore startups
Venture Gallery
View startups founded from across the University of Chicago ecosystem in a range of industries. Connect with founders directly if interested in their startup.
Featured News
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40 Startups to Present at Midwest Deep Tech Demo Day in San Francisco
The inaugural Deep Tech Demo Day in 2025, held at Pear VC in San Francisco. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation today announced the 40 startups from…
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$2.1 Million Awarded at the 2026 Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge; Cancer Pathology AI Company Takes First
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…
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8 Midwestern Universities Launch Third Coast Foundry to Connect Startups with Bay Area Venture Capital
The University of Chicago, in partnership with seven other leading Midwestern universities, today announced the launch of Third Coast Foundry, a new San Francisco–based hub designed to strengthen…
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Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon 2026: Beyond the Hype
Last week, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Chicago Booth’s Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital (EVC) Group hosted the Rattan L. Khosa SeedCon 2026, the University of…
Upcoming Events
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Application Deadline: Market Navigator Program
The Market Navigator program helps business owners use market research and artificial intelligence tools to identify new clients/customers and better serve existing customers. Businesses with…
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Capital Access: JPMorgan Chase
This series features presentations by capital providers and information about how to access different forms of capital.This speaker for this event is Humberto…
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Small Business Development Center (SBDC) On-Deck Pitch
The Polsky Exchange On Deck Pitch is a Small Business Development Center initiative designed to help entrepreneurs develop and refine their pitching skills…
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Tech Enablement Workshop Series: Using AI to Elevate your Customer Experience (Automation and Responsiveness)
This session addresses one of the most common pain points for growing businesses: the gap between customer expectations for immediate responsiveness and the…
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Capital Access: Cleveland Avenue/CAST US
This series features presentations by capital providers and information about how to access different forms of capital. The speakers for this event are…