Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

University fund · University of Chicago · Chicago

UChicago's entrepreneurship center; runs NVC (>$1M/yr), George Shultz Innovation Fund (up to $250k), PF3 ($24k SAFE), Build/Launch ($10k SAFE), Alchemist Chicago & Duality ($50k SAFE)

About

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation operates as the University of Chicago's entrepreneurship center and university fund based in Chicago. It backs early-stage companies through funding vehicles like the George Shultz Innovation Fund, PF3, Build and Launch, and accelerator partnerships including Alchemist Chicago and Duality. The center also hosts the New Venture Challenge, which distributes over one million dollars annually to university-affiliated startups.

What they run

The Polsky Center has organized seven events, splitting activities primarily across Chicago along with sessions in the Bay Area. Their calendar emphasizes presentation formats, including three demo days and multiple pitch nights. A central fixture of their programming is the recurring Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge, which accounts for four editions and returns to Chicago for its next pitch night scheduled on March 31, 2027.

Who attends

Events target pre-seed and seed founders working across both software and deep technological domains. Audiences include builders in artificial intelligence, machine learning, climate and energy, biotechnology, medtech, and hardware. While the New Venture Challenge welcomes startups from across sectors, programs tied to the Shultz Innovation Fund and Deep Tech Ventures draw scientists, researchers, and technical entrepreneurs developing intellectual property in quantum, life sciences, clean technology, and immunotherapy.

https://polsky.uchicago.edu

Upcoming events

Past events

More events in Chicago