Polsky Small Business Growth Program

The Polsky Center seeks highly-motivated UChicago graduate and undergraduate students looking to gain experience in business consulting and create positive social impact.

What You Will Get:

• Work in teams to carry out a full, 11-week consulting project, working closely with small businesses on the South and West Side of Chicago to address challenges related to growth and innovation. Groups will consist of student consultants and a senior-level business coach who will provide expert mentoring and advice. Students will receive a small stipend for their project work.
• Training on growth marketing and innovation topics, research and analysis approaches, best practices and processes for consulting engagements, and skills for managing successful client relations.
• Opportunity to work closely with Booth Professor Craig Terrill.

Who Should Apply:
Preference will be given to students with interest in business management, entrepreneurship, small businesses, social impact via economic growth in an urban setting, and/or consulting. The program will accept both undergraduate and graduate level students currently enrolled at the University of Chicago.

Application Process:
The student application is closed for the 2022 winter cohort.

For questions, please contact Isra Omar at iomar@uchicago.edu.

The Polsky Small Business Growth Program supports small business owners to help them grow and scale their businesses through consulting work completed by top student talent.

What You Will Get:

As clients, business owners receive free consulting services from teams of student consultants, supervised by Chicago Booth faculty. This work will be organized into a three-month engagement that includes in depth research and analysis, regular touchpoints between client and team, and the development of a final report.

Who Should Apply:
Companies that have been in business for at least one year and have annual revenue exceeding $150,000 are eligible to apply. Preference will be given for minority-owned, women-owned, or veteran-owned small businesses that are located on the South and West Side of Chicago. Owners seeking to grow their business, either in terms of increasing revenue or entering new markets are encouraged to apply.

Application Process:
The client application is closed for the 2022 winter cohort.

For questions, please contact Isra Omar at iomar@uchicago.edu.