technologists - 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 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 startup companies and provides a full range of services to support its 3,000+ members. Membership is free to all UChicago faculty, staff, and students and entrepreneurs with no affiliation to the university can become a become a member 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.

Mar

Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) Workshop: Power in Business Partnerships: Collaborate, Divide & Conquer

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Mar

Chicago Booth Private Equity Conference 2026

Friday, March 6, 2026 // 7:30 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Mar

College New Venture Challenge (CNVC) Finals

Friday, March 6, 2026 // 1:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Mar

SBDC Day Breakfast & Business Spotlight

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 // 10:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Mar

Entrepreneurship Essentials (E2): Early Stage Legal Matters and Raising Capital, with Scott Smedresman

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Mar

NVC@30 Fireside Chat: Insights from New Venture Challenge (NVC) Alum Mariana Castillo Lopez, MBA ’16

Monday, March 30, 2026 // 12:00 p.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Apr

Polsky Exchange Capital Access: Hyde Park Bank/Beverly Bank (Wintrust)

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 // 10:00 a.m.
Note: All in-person events are listed in local time; virtual events are listed in Central Time

Apr

Polsky Exchange Capital Access: Allies for Community Business

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 // 10:00 a.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.

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Where to find us