The Polsky Exchange is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to entrepreneurs and business owners looking for workspace and resources. If you are interested in membership, please fill out the Membership Interest Form.
Operated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Polsky Exchange is a 34,000-square-foot startup incubator featuring work and meeting spaces, a state-of-the-art Fabrication Lab, and a full calendar of programming and workshops designed to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures. Part of UChicago’s commitment to supporting economic development in the community, the Polsky Exchange has two buildings on Hyde Park’s vibrant 53rd Street corridor – Exchange North at 1452 E. 53rd St. and Exchange South at 1463 E. 53rd St.
Membership is open to business owners in the community as well as UChicago students, faculty, and staff actively working on entrepreneurial ventures or involved in Polsky Center programs.
As a member of the Polsky Exchange, the following resources are available to you:
- Workspace: Access to the workspace in Polsky Exchange North Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. This includes access to the conference rooms for hosting business meetings and conference calls, and access to the Tech Bar.
- Fab Lab: Opportunity to sign up for time and equipment authorizations at the Fab Lab maker space, located in Polsky Exchange South. Fab Lab staff are also available to offer expert design, prototyping, and product development guidance.
- Programs and Workshops: Invitations to weekly 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.
