News & Programs
News & Partner Profiles
Kendra Dinkins
Taylor Electric, a South Shore–based, black-owned electrical contracting firm founded in 1922, has grown significantly since it began working on UChicago construction projects. Kendra Dinkins, Taylor Electric president and CEO and the firm’s fourth-generation leader, says that part of the credit goes to the University.
Michael Childress
Michael Childress and his team have been taking down walls at the University for more than two decades. MJC Demolition, the firm Childress founded in 1987, has worked on more than 70 demolition projects — including UChicago Medicine’s Advanced Cellular Therapeutics Facility, Family Birth Center…
Jason Bonaparte
Every time Jason Bonaparte drives by UChicago Medicine’s Center for Care and Discovery (CCD), he says, “I look up at that tall, shiny masterpiece and think: There’s my work.” Bonaparte’s electrical company, B3 Integrated Solutions (B3i), installed the fire alarm system on the CCD’s third and fourth floors — one of the University contracts…
Programs and Events
Polsky Small Business Growth Program
The University of Chicago’s Polsky Small Business Growth Program supports small businesses owners to help them grow and scale their businesses.
With funding from JPMorgan Chase, and in partnership with the Office of Civic Engagement, this program is focused on minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses located on Chicago’s South and West Sides.
Small teams of University of Chicago students consult with the companies to help them address key business challenges and determine new strategies for business growth.
POLSKY SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS
The Polsky Small Business Financial Fundamentals program helps business owners who are actively seeking to secure capital through a bank loan or other fundraising to have the financial documentation needed. This program leads entrepreneurs to refine their financial reporting, create financial projections, increase knowledge on access to capital, build business credit, and manage business finances. This program recruits business owners on Chicago’s South and West Sides, aiming to help better position small businesses to apply for capital.
POLSKY CENTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP ESSENTIALS
This workshop series is designed to help entrepreneurs launch their startup successfully, with workshops ranging in everything from marketing strategy, sales, competitive analysis, financial modeling, and more.
Turner School of Construction Management
The Turner School of Construction Management is a free, seven-week program led by Turner Construction, co-sponsored by the University of Chicago and held at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The program is an intensive workshop designed to help minority- and women-owned construction businesses grow and succeed. Participants learn from industry experts about every aspect of running a construction business.