The Polsky Center provides a range of opportunities to help students, researchers, faculty, and community members pursue their entrepreneurial endeavors or careers in private equity, venture capital, entrepreneurship through acquisition, or technology commercialization.
From market exploration to startup acceleration, and more, foster ideas and scale with a range of programs and workshops.
Learn how to acquire, operate, and grow small businesses through education, mentorship, and access to experienced ETA practitioners.
On the investing side, the Polsky Center supports the aspirations of students and alumni interested in a career in private equity and venture capital.
Launch and grow a company through the University’s nationally recognized startup accelerator program with four specialized tracks.
Access venture development support and the opportunity to pitch for up to $250,000 in potential investment.
Accelerate AI startups through technical resources, mentorship, investor connections, and commercialization support.
Advance your early-stage startup with access to Alchemist’s Silicon Valley best practices and capital pathways, and UChicago’s innovation ecosystem.
Work alongside private equity mentors to develop investment theses and gain real-world deal analysis experience.
The Polsky Center Build and Launch accelerators give teams the opportunity to work intensively on their businesses over the summer.
Prototype, test, and iterate AI product ideas using modern tools to build applications and accelerate early development.
Strengthen core business skills through workshops focused on strategy, operations, finance, and decision-making.
Learn how to access funding and capital resources through workshops and presentations from investors and lenders.
Showcase your research, technology, or ideas and develop a better understanding of the next steps to pursue a business opportunity.
Launch your startup as an undergraduate with mentorship, guidance, and hands-on support to build, test, and refine your idea.
Connect with startups to explore pilot opportunities, partnerships, and emerging technologies.
Test assumptions, validate ideas, and engage directly with customers to better understand problem-solution fit.
Accelerate your quantum startup with mentorship, funding opportunities, and access to Chicago’s leading quantum ecosystem.
Help grow your business online through coaching, digital strategy, and e-commerce support.
The Polsky Center's Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a nationally-ranked accelerator program in the U.S.
Gain hands-on investing experience through internships, coursework, and mentorship with leading PE and VC firms.
Work directly with startups through paid summer internships as a full-time, first-year Chicago Booth student or a continuing second-year student.
Connect with Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mia Saini Duchnowski to advance your venture, find inspiration, and build peer communities.
Build foundational startup skills through workshops covering strategy, finance, marketing, sales, and venture development.
Explore entrepreneurship through acquisition through unique programming, mentorship, and community-building opportunities.
Access mentorship, educational programming, and hands-on experiences as you prepare for a career in entrepreneurship through acquisition.
Gain insights into your target market, customers, and competitive landscape to inform smarter business decisions.
The Global New Venture Challenge (GNVC) is a track of the New Venture Challenge dedicated to Chicago Booth Executive MBA students worldwide. Second-year students in the Chicago Booth Executive...
Explore the commercial opportunities and potential impact of your products and ideas.
Perform diligence on emerging technologies and gain hands-on experience evaluating startup opportunities.
Investing Essentials is designed for students interested in learning about and pursuing careers in the private equity and venture capital space.
Launch a mission-driven venture with mentorship, funding opportunities, and support to design and grow impact-focused organizations.
Build financial modeling skills to analyze leveraged buyouts and evaluate investment opportunities with confidence.
Use market research and AI-powered tools to identify customers, analyze markets, and uncover growth opportunities.
Connect with breakthrough startups, investors, founders, and industry leaders at an annual demo day in San Francisco.
Strengthen your pitch and presentation skills to better communicate with investors, lenders, and partners.
Identify and address real-world problems and learn how to assess “technology-problem fit,” the first step in the commercialization process.
Learn how to apply and commercialize your research, while gaining access to venture creation resources and networking opportunities.
Explore leadership, innovation, and investment opportunities shaping the future of energy transition.
Connect with fellow alumni founders for peer support, coaching, and founder-focused discussions.
Receive funding and venture support to help continue building your startup after graduation.
Work alongside the Polsky Center’s commercialization team to evaluate technologies and support startup development.
Connect with alumni mentors for guidance on careers in private equity and venture capital.
Engage with investors, operators, and industry leaders shaping the future of private equity.
Hear from entrepreneurs and investors sharing lessons on startup growth, leadership, and venture creation.
Hear from entrepreneurs and investors sharing lessons on startup growth, leadership, and venture creation.
Build stronger financial management skills to help support and grow your business.
Address key business challenges and determine new strategies for business growth with support from UChicago grad students.
Work with Chicago Booth students to conduct market research and uncover new business opportunities.
Support local businesses through paid internships focused on strategy, operations, and growth.
Learn how digital tools and emerging technologies can help improve business operations and growth.
Turn an idea into an official business through one-on-one advising and hands-on compliance support.
Connect with deep tech founders, explore new investment opportunities, and engage with a dynamic community of innovators.
Receive commercialization guidance and global connections for your deep tech startup emerging from India’s leading research institutions.
Explore careers in private markets through workshops, theory, case studies, and networking opportunities.
Experience the venture capital process firsthand through the world’s largest venture capital investment competition.
Hear from venture capitalists, explore industry trends, and connect with peers in informal networking sessions.
Receive mentorship and guidance from experienced operators, investors, and acquisition entrepreneurs.
A case competition that enables teams to assess the potential for a leveraged buyout of a publicly-listed company.
