Entrepreneurship Events @ UChicago: May 2013

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invites you to join students, alumni, and faculty throughout May for the many entrepreneurship and private equity programs and events at UChicago.

Follow the links for more information, and check the Polsky Center blog and calendar frequently for new additions!

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Entrepreneurship Events @ UChicago: April 2013

Welcome back from spring break! The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invites you to join students, alumni, and faculty throughout April for the many entrepreneurship and private equity programs and events at UChicago. Follow the links for more information, and check the Polsky Center blog and calendar frequently for new additions!

Wakefield Presents: Chicago Uncubed
Thursday, April 4
River East Art Center 435 East Illinois Street Chicago, IL 60611
Register here
Students save 50% with discount code UCHISTUDENT
Alumni save 25% with discount code UCHIALUMNI
If you’re looking for a fulfilling career, enjoyable work environment, or are interested in the unique challenges faced by today’s start-up employees, consider attending Uncubed, the country’s most interactive recruiting series. Uncubed reimagines the job fair by mixing in music, entertainment, speakers, and drinks, and it connects attendees with otherwise hard-to-discover job opportunities in the areas of technology, design, marketing, and beyond at exciting young companies like Facebook, Twitter, Rdio, and Meetup. Check out a recap from the latest Uncubed in NYC here.

Energy Forward Conference
Friday, April 5
Gleacher Center 6th Floor, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Register here
The Chicago Booth Energy Group and Energy Club, with support from the Polsky Center and the Energy Policy Institute at Chicago, proudly present Booth Energy Forward 2013. Energy Forward will explore important topics in today’s global energy industry. As the largest business school energy conference in the Midwest, Energy Forward provides a unique opportunity for energy business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to interact with tomorrow’s captains of industry. Featuring four panels and three keynote presentations, Energy Forward is a once-a-year opportunity for students, professionals, and business leaders to meet and share ideas.

For those interested, on Thursday, April 4, the Clean Energy Trust is hosting the third annual Clean Energy Challenge in Chicago, the largest clean-tech business plan competition in the region. Consider purchasing tickets to both events for a discounted price.

Workshop: “How You Know You Have a Good Idea” with Waverly Deutsch
Thursday, April 11
Harper Center C03, 12 – 1:15 p.m.
Register Here
Are you mulling over a business idea, working on a business in an NVC track, or thinking about applying to Polsky Center programming in the coming year? In this session, Professor Waverly Deutsch will talk about what makes a great business idea and best practices for analyzing ideas to determine which can become a viable business. Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 10and feel free to bring your lunch to the session. If you have any questions, please contact Tom Ancona.

UChicago Gastro Conference
Saturday, April 13
Ida Noyes Hall, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Register Here
UChicago student group, EnvisionDo, is hosting the first-ever Gastro Conference. Celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, nonprofit directors, researchers, and entrepreneurs will gather to discuss what it means to start a business in the food industry. From panels on innovation to talks addressing food and poverty in Chicago, the conference will cover current trends and issues in the food space.

Accelerator Program Application Deadline
Monday, April 15
12 p.m.
Students who would like to apply to the Polsky Center Accelerator Program as a business must complete and submit their applications by noon on Monday, April 15. The Accelerator Program gives student teams the opportunity to work on their businesses in a collaborative and dynamic environment. Check here for details and a complete list of materials required for the Accelerator application.

Recipe for Success: Starting and Growing a Food Business in Chicago
Saturday, April 27
University of Chicago Law School, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Register Here
Are you hungry for more information about how to succeed in a food business? The UChicago Institute for Justice invites you to meet other Chicagoans who share your passion, and learn about legal and business strategies that can boost your venture. Please contact Brooke Fallon if you have any further questions.

Entrepreneurial Internship Program Rolling Admissions
Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis
Through the Entrepreneurial Internship Program (EIP), full-time first year MBA students participate in a subsidized full-time 10 week internship with a start-up. Students must have an internship offer or have narrowed down their search to one firm to apply. Application information can be found on the EIP website. Contact Tom Ancona with questions.

Polsky Center Staff Office Hours at 1871
Wednesdays in April
1871, 1 – 5 p.m.
Throughout April, Polsky Center staff members will hold office hours at our space in 1871. If you want to meet one-on-one to talk about your start-up idea, Polsky programs, or other entrepreneurship, PE, or VC-related items, email the following staff to set up a meeting:

·         Wednesday, April 3: Starr Marcello

·         Wednesday, April 10: Tom Ancona and Jonathan Allan

·         Wednesday, April 17: Erika Mercer and Meghan Fisher

·         Wednesday, April 24: Tracey Elder

Polsky Center “Thirsty Thursdays”
Thursdays in April
Harper Center 207, 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Want to learn more about or get involved in Polsky Center programs or meet staff and other entrepreneurially-minded students from across the University? Stop by our suite in the Harper Center on Thursday, April 4, 11, 18, or 25, grab a beverage, and mingle with others. Students and staff are invited to this casual meet up to network, discuss ideas, and learn more about entrepreneurship at UChicago.

Ongoing: Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Office Hours
The Polsky Center offers mentorship and coaching to the UChicago community through its Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) program. Three Chicago-based entrepreneurs are available to meet with students, alumni, and faculty throughout the 2012-13 academic year. To set up a meeting with an EIR, visit their O-Hours webpages:

·         Brian Coe brings biological sciences/healthcare expertise: www.ohours.org/briancoe

·         Mark Tebbe is focused on technology: www.ohours.org/marktebbe

·         Chris McGowan has many years of experience in the private equity industry: www.ohours.org/cmcgowan

If you have questions about these or other Polsky Center activities, contact Tracey Elder.