Startup Resources
Faculty interested in launching a startup company can engage with the Polsky Center in a number of ways through the Polsky Center's numerous programs and resources. The following Polsky Center programs are designed specifically for faculty and researchers:
Mini-Courses
Entrepreneurship for Science and Medicine
Taught by a Chicago Booth professor and seasoned business executive with experience in both mature and emerging biotech and pharmaceutical businesses, this 5-week course will explore the process of research commercialization, with an emphasis on an introduction to business concepts.
Introduction to Venture Capital
Taught by Chicago Booth professor Scott Meadow, who has over 30 years’ experience as a general partner with four venture capital and private equity firms, this 5-week course explores the fundamentals of raising money through venture capital investment.
Team Formation
Collaboratorium
The Collaboratorium unites UChicago students with researchers, technologists, and faculty interested in teaming up together to commercialize new innovations. As a pitch and networking event, faculty are selected to present their research in order to recruit Booth
students, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars, and alumni who are interested in commercializing UChicago research and
technologies. Students and faculty are matched and have the opportunity to work together to explore the commercialization opportunities
and business applications of the research innovations.
Funding
George Shultz Innovation Fund
The George Shultz Innovation Fund provides up to $250,000 in co-investment funding for early stage ventures coming out of University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermilab, and the Marine Biological Laboratory. The core mission of the George Shultz Innovation Fund is to help researchers turn their innovations into ventures that advance cutting-edge technologies, generate significant financial returns, and create lasting impact for humankind.
UChicago Startup Investment Program
An initiative through which the University coinvests alongside established venture funds in startups led by UChicago faculty, students, staff and alumni. The University has set aside $25 million from its endowment to invest in startups that are raising an early round of funding, (typically Series A).
Programs and Accelerators
Polsky I-Corps
The Polsky I-Corps program empowers UChicago faculty, scientists, researchers, and students to test the commercial potential of their research and ideas. Supported with funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and run by the Polsky Center, the I-Corps program provides a $2,500 micro grant from the NSF and is specifically designed for participants working on innovative projects related to the STEM fields.
Compass Deep Tech Accelerator Program
Built on a 25-year history of launching successful ventures, Compass is the Polsky Center’s deep tech accelerator program for University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory researchers interested in launching new startup companies. The goal of the Compass accelerator is to select the most-promising startups and technologies and provide a comprehensive set of resources to get those companies launched and investor-ready in six months.
Duality Quantum Accelerator
Duality is the first accelerator program in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to supporting the launch and growth of quantum companies.
Led by the Polsky Center and the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), along with founding partners, the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign, Argonne National Laboratory, and P33, Duality is a 12-month program based in Chicago that offers innovative quantum startups a comprehensive set of resources, including entrepreneurial and business training, mentorship, technical expertise, industry exposure, funding, and the opportunity to access state-of-the-art facilities.
Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge
The Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC) is a nationally top-ranked accelerator program. Companies that have been successfully launched through the NVC include Grubhub, Braintree/Venmo, and Simple Mills. Faculty and researchers must work with a currently enrolled graduate student in order to apply to the NVC. Teams apply in the Winter Quarter and accepted teams enroll in the Spring Quarter class, which will provide support to advance the business and connect with investors.