The first accelerator in the U.S. focused exclusively on quantum startups.
PURPOSE OF DUALITY
Duality helps innovative startups working on quantum and enabling technologies to develop their products, refine their business models, achieve product-market fit, and scale. Led by the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Chicago Quantum Exchange, Duality is also supported by founding partners, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Argonne National Laboratory, and P33.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
A 12-month program for accelerating the success of early-stage startups building businesses based on quantum and enabling technologies. Areas of focus, for hardware- or software-based solutions include, but are not limited to:
- Quantum computing
- Quantum communication
- Quantum sensing
- Other enabling technologies (i.e. control electronics, photonics, cryogenics, etc.)
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
- Early-stage startups working on quantum or enabling technologies
- Startup may be based anywhere in the world
- The startup must be an established U.S. legal entity at the time of entry to the program
- The CEO must work full-time with the startup
- The CEO or at least one founder must be able to work side-by-side with other cohort members in Chicago and immerse in the regional quantum ecosystem for extended periods during the 12-month program
- At least one founder must commit to residing in Chicago for 12 weeks through the main programing (July 17 – October 13, 2023) and additional programming as required (approximately 4 weeks throughout the rest of the year).
- Simultaneous participation in another accelerator/incubator is allowable only with advance approval from Duality.
HOW TO APPLY AND APPLICATION DEADLINE
Teams interested in applying to Duality must submit a completed application by the deadline. The deadline for Cohort 3 is Friday, April 7, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Please reach out to Anna Wislocki for more information about how to apply to the Duality.
Looking for the BUILD Accelerator Application? Click here. >>
LAUNCH ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
The 2023 Polsky Accelerator applications are now open.
There are two programs available to student ventures. These two summer accelerators are differentiated by the stage of your venture.
THIS IS THE APPLICATION FOR THE LAUNCH ACCELERATOR
Learn more about the launch accelerator here. >>
CONTACT
—
Paul Cavalieri
Associate Director and BUILD Accelerator Program Director
ELIGIBILITY
—
The LAUNCH ACCELERATOR allows students to spend their summer fundraising for their venture, selling, and gaining/maintaining momentum.
The following people/teams are eligible to apply:
- Full and part-time students of the University of Chicago
- UChicago Alumni within 5 years of graduation
- For-profit or non-profit ventures
Eligible companies plan to focus on:
- Fundraising strategy
- Sales and marketing
- Customer acquisition
Apply if:
- You have robust evidence of traction or product market fit
- Your product/service is ready for seed funding
- Your product/service is in the market and you are focused on sales or growth
- You have completed a track of the New Venture Challenge (optional) or other startup accelerator program
The LAUNCH Accelerator is not differentiated from the BUILD Accelerator based on the quality or potential of your business idea. Each serves a different stage of teams. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for ONLY the accelerator program that fits the stage of their venture. If you would like to talk to someone about which track might best fit your goals, do not hesitate to reach out to the Polsky Center.
PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONS
—
- Participants must be committed to working full-time on their business (at least 40 hours/week). Participants CANNOT split the 40 hour time commitment amongst themselves.
- Participants must attend all mandatory programming days.
- Participants must agree to work from provided co-working space, unless an accommodation has been provided by the accelerator team, or unless business operations necessitate otherwise.
- Participants must agree to remain accountable to coaches and mentors.
- Participants must agree to stay on track with milestones
- Participants are expected to communicate needs with program organizers
- Participants must be ready to accelerate!
KEY DATES & DEADLINES
—
- Application deadline: April 3, 2023, 11:59 p.m.
- Admissions begin: Early April 2023
- Interviews: Mid/Late April, 2023
- Final acceptances: Late April/Early May 2023
- Orientation: Late May/Early June 2023
- Polsky Accelerator: June 12-August 19, 2023
- Demo Day: August 31, 2023
Looking for the LAUNCH Accelerator Application? Click here. >>
BUILD ACCELERATOR APPLICATION
The 2023 Polsky Summer Accelerator applications are now open.
There are two programs available to student ventures. These two summer accelerators are differentiated by the stage of your venture.
THIS IS THE APPLICATION FOR THE BUILD ACCELERATOR
Learn more about the build accelerator here. >>
CONTACT
—
Paul Cavalieri
Associate Director and BUILD Accelerator Program Director
ELIGIBILITY
—
The BUILD ACCELERATOR allows students to spend their summer building the key elements of their venture, and validating assumptions around their market or customers.
The following people/teams are eligible to apply:
- Full and part-time students of the University of Chicago
- UChicago Alumni within 5 years of graduation
- For-profit or non-profit ventures
Eligible companies plan to focus on:
- Customer and market validation
- The creation or advancement of a pilot or minimal viable product
- Early stage venture creation education
Apply if:
- You have an idea and want to validate it
- You are still building your pilot or MVP, or still need to build these
- You plan to apply to one of the New Venture Challenge tracks the following academic year (optional)
- You are not yet in the market, or are minimally in the market
The BUILD Accelerator is not differentiated from the LAUNCH Accelerator based on the quality or potential of your business idea. Each serves a different stage of teams. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply for ONLY the accelerator program that fits the stage of their venture. If you would like to talk to someone about which track might best fit your goals, do not hesitate to reach out to the Polsky Center.
PARTICIPATION EXPECTATIONS
—
- Participants must be committed to working full-time on their business (at least 40 hours/week). Participants CANNOT split the 40 hour time commitment amongst themselves.
- Participants must attend all mandatory programming days.
- Participants must agree to work from provided co-working space, unless an accommodation has been provided by the accelerator team, or unless business operations necessitate otherwise.
- Participants must agree to remain accountable to coaches and mentors.
- Participants must agree to stay on track with milestones
- Participants are expected to communicate needs with program organizers
- Participants must be ready to accelerate!
KEY DATES & DEADLINES
—
- Application deadline: April 3, 2023, 11:59 p.m.
- Admissions begin: Early April 2023
- Interviews: Mid/Late April, 2023
- Final acceptances: Late April/Early May 2023
- Orientation: Late May/Early June 2023
- Polsky Accelerator: June 12-August 19, 2023
- Demo Day: August 31, 2023