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Overview

Operated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Polsky Exchange is a 34,000 square feet co-working space featuring a state-of-the-art Fabrication Lab and a full calendar of programming and workshops designed to help entrepreneurs translate their ideas and technologies into startups. Located on 53rd Street in Hyde Park, the Polsky Exchange incubates 15-20 companies at a time, and provides a full range of services to support thousands of companies connected to Polsky Center’s 3,000+ members. Membership is free to all UChicago faculty, staff, and students and entrepreneurs interested in accessing the Polsky Exchange and becoming a member of the Polsky Center can join for a nominal monthly fee.

The Numbers:

34,000

Square foot of co-working space

10-20

Startups housed in the Polsky Incubator at one time

3,200+

Members

450+

Events and workshops

Upcoming Events
2
Jun
Capital Access: Founders First Capital Partners
Tuesday, June 2, 2026  //  10:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
3
Jun
Credit Building Workshop
Wednesday, June 3, 2026  //  12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
4
Jun
Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) Finals
Thursday, June 4, 2026  //  8:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
5
Jun
Global New Venture Challenge (GNVC) Finals
Friday, June 5, 2026  //  9:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
8
Jun
Capital Access: Greenwood Archer Capital
Monday, June 8, 2026  //  10:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
9
Jun
Application Deadline: Polsky Founders Fund Fellowship (PF3)
Tuesday, June 9, 2026  //  3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
11
Jun
Tech Enablement Workshop Series: Map your AI Opportunity (AI Audit and Orientation)
Thursday, June 11, 2026  //  10:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
16
Jun
UChicago Science Incubator One-Year Anniversary Celebration
Tuesday, June 16, 2026  //  4:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
Come Check Us Out!
Tour

Come Check Us Out!

Interested in seeing the space? Throughout the year, tours are offered at the Polsky Exchange to check out the space, discuss membership options, and meet members of the Polsky Center team.

Where to find us

Locations

The Polsky Exchange has two spaces located on  53rd Street in Chicago’s vibrant, Hyde Park neighborhood.

Contact

Questions

Polsky Exchange North
Polsky Exchange North

1452 East 53rd Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60615

Hours

Open 7 days per week, 7 a.m. – Midnight
Phone: 777-702-2076

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Polsky Exchange South / Fab Lab
Polsky Exchange South / Fab Lab

1463 E. 53rd St., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60615

Hours

Co-working space:
Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Phone: 773-795-0075

Fab Lab:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wed, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.

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