Polsky Center Accelerator Program

Launched in June 2012, the Polsky Center Accelerator Program gives student teams the opportunity to work on their businesses and social enterprises in a collaborative and dynamic environment.

The Accelerator Program accepts 10 teams to particpate through a competitive selection process. These teams received funding, office space, access to Polsky Center staff, coaching from faculty, mentorship from alumni entrepreneurs and Chicago-area investors, and weekly programming designed to help them overcome many of the hurdles to launching a business. 
By talking with consumers, investors, and mentors, building prototypes, and continually refining their business models, these start-ups made notable progress over the 10 weeks of the program and in many cases moved from business plan to launch.