Operated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Chicago, the Polsky Exchange is a 34,000 square feet co-working space with 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.
Overview
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.
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.
Polsky Incubator
The Polsky Incubator provides space, mentorship, and support to early-stage startups, helping them achieve critical milestones and grow into sustainable businesses.
Fabrication Lab
The Fab Lab offers entrepreneurs opportunities to transform their ideas into physical objects to share, test, and perfect.
Workshops and Events
Over 450 of 'em. Get access to a wide variety of events, workshops, speakers, panels, challenges and more.
Upcoming Events
Join us to learn critical skills for starting your own business and networking with fellow entrepreneurs.
17
Dec
Polsky Exchange Member Year-End Lunch
9
Jan
Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)
9
Jan
Application Deadline: Booth Investment Thesis Challenge (BITC)
9
Jan
Application Deadline: Winter 2026 Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Discovery Cohort
12
Jan
Investing Essentials: From Associate to Partner – The Neuroscience Behind Being an Effective Leader
12
Jan
Midwest Biotech Startup Showcase in San Francisco
14
Jan
NVC@30 Fireside Chat: Insights from NVC Winner Kyle Swinsky, MBA ’19
14
Jan
Application Workshop and Quick Pitch: New Venture Challenge (NVC) and Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)
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.
Polsky Exchange North
1452 East 53rd Street, 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60615
Hours
Open 7 days per week, 7 a.m. – Midnight
(773) 702-2076
Polsky Exchange South / Fab Lab
1463 E. 53rd St., 2nd Floor
Chicago, IL 60615
Hours
Co-working space:
Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
773-795-0075
Fab Lab:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Wed, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
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