venture development
The Polsky Center’s venture development team consists of industry experts with deep experience in venture capital, technology commercialization, and building early-stage companies.
The team works closely with founders to develop commercialization strategies, validate market opportunities, and prepare for fundraising while connecting them with the talent, capital, and networks needed to grow.
At the same time, the team partners with investors to provide access to deal flow, facilitate meaningful connections with founders, and create unique opportunities for engagement.
For Founders
We help founders navigate the hardest part of innovation: turning a breakthrough into a scalable business. From first customer conversations to investor engagement, we sharpen strategy, validate commercial pathways, build investor readiness, and connect companies to the capital, talent, and networks required to grow.
Our role spans:
- Venture creation and commercialization strategy
- Founder and startup execution support
- Investor preparation and fundraising strategy
- Market validation and business development
- Strategic connections to VCs, operators, advisors, and industry partners
Our objective is to accelerate the path from discovery to funded, high-impact companies.
For Investors
We work with investors as long-term partners in building companies, sharing deal flow from across the UChicago ecosystem, providing visibility into high-potential ventures before they hit the market, and facilitating connections between investors and founders based on stage, sector, and strategic fit.
How we engage investors:
- Advisory and board opportunities: Connections to companies seeking experienced operators and investors in a formal advisory or governance capacity
- Curated deal flow: Regular sharing of vetted, stage-appropriate opportunities
- VC dinners and roundtables: Invitations to private gatherings with founders and Polsky Center leadership
- Incubator access: Invitations to visit the UChicago Science Incubator and Third Coast Foundry to meet resident companies and engage directly with founders in our spaces
- Demo days and pitch events: Access to cohort showcases and founder pitch events
- Founder introductions: Targeted, one-on-one introductions to founders
- Ecosystem convenings: Invitations to broader Polsky Center events
