Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program
The Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program was established to accelerate Chicago Booth’s offerings related to energy transition, renewable energy infrastructure, and entrepreneurial leadership, with the goal of training the next generation of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the core elements of the global energy transition.
Made possible by a generous $12.5 million gift from Chicago Booth alumnus Michael Polsky, MBA ’87, the founder, president, and CEO of Invenergy, the gift will enable students to benefit from expanded co-curricular educational programming, career support, courses, and other offerings focused on energy transition.
Entrepreneurial Funding
Inspired by the global need for innovation in the energy transition space, the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Program will support student and faculty ventures through various funding opportunities.
Funding will be awarded to teams participating in select Polsky Center accelerators, including the New Venture Challenge (all tracks) and Build and Launch Accelerator, as well as to Booth-affiliated teams involved in other Polsky Center programs such as the science accelerators Duality, Resurgence, and Transform, and George Shultz Innovation Fund.
Educational Programs and Events
The gift will also support co-curricular educational opportunities, including:
- Entrepreneurial Internship Program support, providing stipends to current MBA students working for startups in the energy transition industry.
- Mentorship by entrepreneurial leaders in the field of energy transition through the Polsky Center’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence and Mentorship Programs.
- Career counseling to support students’ career development in this industry, offered in coordination with Booth Career Services and the Polsky Center.
- Energy transition keynote speaker events featuring current thought leaders from industry or the public sector.
Scholarship and Faculty Engagement
Michael Polsky’s generous gift also supports areas outside the Polsky Center, including scholarship support, faculty engagement, and curriculum development at Chicago Booth. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the following sites:
- Scholarship support (Admissions) >>
- Faculty engagement and curriculum development (XXXXX) >>
Michael Polsky’s $12.5 million gift is part of a larger donation to the University of Chicago totaling $25 million to establish the Polsky Energy Transition Leadership Academy. Read more here >>