Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation serves as the central hub for entrepreneurial activity and technology commercialization at the University of Chicago. Its core mission is to bridge the gap between groundbreaking academic research and market-ready ventures, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for students, faculty, and alumni. The center provides comprehensive resources, including educational programs, mentorship, and crucial access to capital, aiming to transform innovative ideas into impactful businesses.

A cornerstone of the Polsky Center's funding initiatives is the renowned New Venture Challenge (NVC), a nationally recognized startup accelerator program. The NVC has a long history of launching successful companies by providing rigorous training, mentorship, and significant prize money. For instance, the 2023 MBA NVC alone awarded over $1.7 million in cash and in-kind prizes to participating teams, demonstrating the substantial financial support available to emerging ventures. Beyond the NVC, the Polsky Center also manages the George Shultz Innovation Fund, a dedicated seed-stage venture fund that provides direct investment to promising University of Chicago-affiliated startups.

Through these diverse mechanisms, the Polsky Center supports a wide array of ventures spanning deep technology, life sciences, clean energy, and social impact. The George Shultz Innovation Fund, for example, typically deploys investments ranging from $100,000 to $250,000, targeting early-stage companies with high growth potential. By combining educational rigor with strategic financial backing, the Polsky Center plays a pivotal role in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs and driving economic development within Chicago and beyond.