Our Mission

Our Mission

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is bridging the gap between knowledge and practice, idea and action, and research and impact through education, partnerships, and new venture creation.

OUR HISTORY

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation drives venture creation and technology commercialization within the University of Chicago and the surrounding community. Through education, partnerships, and new venture support, the Polsky Center advances the knowledge and practice of entrepreneurship and accelerates the commercialization of research. The Polsky Center helps students, faculty, staff, alumni, researchers and local entrepreneurs navigate the complex process of creating and growing a startup.

Polsky's Evolution

Our Timeline

1898

University of Chicago Business School founded.

1996

No entrepreneurship concentration.

3 classes taught by practitioners.

Dean Hamada decides Chicago needs a strong entrepreneurship program.

Program aims:

  • Mix of research and practitioner faculty.
  • Mix of classroom/experiential learning.
  • Student facing.

1998

  • Entrepreneurship concentration introduced.
  • Kauffman Foundation gives Booth $1M grant to start entrepreneurship center.
  • Ellen Rudnick, ’73, hired as Executive Director.

2002

  • Michael Polsky, ’87, leading energy entrepreneur, endows center.
  • Staff, faculty, and programming increase dramatically.

Polsky is proud to partner with

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