small - Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Overview

Operated by the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 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 in two buildings on 53rd Street in Hyde Park, the Polsky Exchange incubates 15-20 startup companies and provides a full range of services to support its 3,200+ members. 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.

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

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

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

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.

Feb

Application Deadline: Spring 2026 I-Corps Program

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 // 3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): How Startups Miss Their Market and How to Avoid it with Jeff Berman (Part 1 of 2)

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop: From Initial Call to the First 100 Days

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop: From Initial Call to the First 100 Days

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): How Startups Miss Their Market and How to Avoid it with Jeff Berman (Part 2 of 2)

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Application Deadline: George Shultz Innovation Fund

Friday, February 13, 2026 // 3:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Team Building Reception: New Venture Challenge (NVC) and Social New Venture Challenge (SNVC)

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 // 4:30 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Feb

Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Financial Model Storytelling with Christina Hachikian

Thursday, February 19, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

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