The world needs entrepreneurs more than ever and David Cohen and a few startup founders are going to tell us why. This series brings together seasoned entrepreneurs, global startup leaders, and experts from Comcast NBCUniversal's network to provide founders with practical advice and original solutions to the challenges they now face. As co-founder of Techstars - a global network of more than 2,000 startups and the largest, most active seed stage investor in the world - David Cohen has advised and guided […]

Join students in the University of Chicago Law School’s Innovation Clinic and its director, Assistant Clinical Professor Emily Underwood, to learn about basic intellectual property considerations relevant to startups. We will discuss the various types of intellectual property that a startup should be aware of, how to ensure that the startup has all rights in its own intellectual property, and some best practices for protecting intellectual property going forward. This will also include a detailed discussion of non-disclosure or confidentiality […]

In this session, we’ll learn and practice the power of listening to build strong connections quickly. We describe great listeners as people we admire, like, trust and enjoy working with. But how do they listen differently from how others listen? The don’t just listen actively, they listen empathically! To listen empathically involves not only hearing what someone says (and being able to recreate it), but paying attention to what’s not being said. For example, paying attention to how people are behaving, to […]

Corporate Finance Structure: Debt Financing REGISTER HERE Join this discussion about what it means to borrow money from a bank in order to start, grow or expand your business in this class led by Javier Placencia of Wintrust. Learn what it takes to prepare a loan package, how your request will be evaluated by a commercial lender, and what is expected from your business and you as an owner in terms of repayment. How will your credit history play into […]

Quick Pitches are a forum for those with business ideas to pitch to their peers, get immediate feedback, and ask for any help they might need. Pitches are short (1 minute) and should be focused on the idea and entrepreneurs’ needs. Every presenter walks away with feedback, suggestions from the audience, and offers to help. This is a great opportunity to practice your pitch and find new teammates before exploring other Polsky Center programs. Register Here: https://polsky.uchicago.edu/event/quick-pitches/

In a world of information overload, it can be hard to know where to start beyond “Googling it.”  Secondary market research enables you to leverage market information that’s already compiled for you, which supplements what you learn in your primary market research. This workshop will introduce key resources and strategies for secondary market research, such as government agencies, newspapers, trade publications, and commercial industry reports. These resources can be used to help define your target market, competition, and add context […]

Fund Your Startup into A Real Business Presented by Score Chicago Did you know the biggest challenge to starting a business is a shortage of capital? Do you know where successful entrepreneurs find funding for their business? Or where even to start to look? Learn how to navigate through the process of financing your dream.  The webinar will go through real sources of capital, describe why banks will not likely be helpful, and provide valuable financial projection tools. Topics Covered: […]

Experts are predicting significant increases in mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation in every sector. Now is the time to get your brand and people prepared. The Future of Branding: M&A in Turbulent Times webcast will offer an in-depth conversation led by Siegel+Gale’s President, Pacific Rim, Jason Cieslak and Group Director, Strategy, Lisa Kane that will explore: How successful M&A is strategic and brand-led and identify what organizations should consider to maximize their brand investment before, during, and after a deal. David […]

Mastering your Market: Market Research and Customer Discovery REGISTER HERE Understanding your market and your customer is vital to securing your company’s competitive edge. Led by Patrick Donohue of Snapon, this class will explain the importance of market research/industry analysis and how they can inform your product development and cover best practices for outsourced and DIY’d research. Then, the conversation will shift to customer discovery and how to find and secure customer validation.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to create a values report—a personalized, living document that can help you create a structure for your next job search, fold in your likes and skills from outside design, and help you for the rest of your career.