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Overview

Operated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the Polsky Exchange is a 34,000 square foot 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 in two buildings on 53rd Street in Hyde Park, the Polsky Exchange provides a full range of services to support 3,200+ members and their startups, including the 15-20 startup companies in the Polsky Incubator. Membership is free to all UChicago faculty, staff, and students, and community-based entrepreneurs with no affiliation to the University of Chicago can become a member and get access to the Polsky Exchange 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

Join The Fun. Become a Member.

Join The Fun. Become a Member.

Educational opportunities, co-working space, mentorship, access to the Fab Lab, and monthly breakfasts are just a few perks of becoming a member of the Polsky Exchange.

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Polsky Incubator

Polsky Incubator

The Polsky Incubator provides space, mentorship, and support to early-stage startups, helping them achieve critical milestones and grow into sustainable businesses.

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Fabrication Lab

Fabrication Lab

The Fab Lab offers entrepreneurs opportunities to transform their ideas into physical objects to share, test, and perfect.

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Workshops and Events

Workshops and Events

Over 450 of 'em. Get access to a wide variety of events, workshops, speakers, panels, challenges and more.

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Upcoming Events

Join us to learn critical skills for starting your own business and networking with fellow entrepreneurs.

8
Dec
Application Deadline: Introduction to Venture Capital, Winter 2026
Monday, December 8, 2025  //  3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
17
Dec
Polsky Exchange Member Year-End Lunch
Wednesday, December 17, 2025  //  12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
9
Jan
Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)
Friday, January 9, 2026  //  8:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
9
Jan
Application Deadline: Booth Investment Thesis Challenge (BITC)
Friday, January 9, 2026  //  3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
9
Jan
Application Deadline: Winter 2026 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Discovery Cohort
Friday, January 9, 2026  //  3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
12
Jan
Midwest Biotech Startup Showcase in San Francisco
Monday, January 12, 2026  //  7:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
14
Jan
NVC@30 Fireside Chat: Insights from NVC Winner Kyle Swinsky, MBA ’19
Wednesday, January 14, 2026  //  12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time
14
Jan
Application Workshop and Quick Pitch: New Venture Challenge (NVC) and Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)
Wednesday, January 14, 2026  //  5:00 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.

Choose a Date
Where to find us

Locations

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

Contact

Questions

Contact us
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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Get Started with the Polsky Center

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