University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The Grainger College of Engineering
City Scholars

Startup City Scholars Accelerator

Launch a startup and compete for $150,000 seed funds in Chicago

Join The Grainger College of Engineering for an Entrepreneurship program in partnership with the University of Chicago Polsky Center

College New Venture Challenge Logo

 

CNVC Challenge in Chicago 

Spend a semester as a City Scholar participating in the prestigious College New Venture Challenge (CNVC). CNVC is the undergraduate track of the University of Chicago's business launch program, the Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge (NVC), a nationally-ranked accelerator program. The Startup City Scholars program launch was made possible through generous support from The Caruso Foundation.

  • UIUC-led teams must include a University of Chicago student who is taking the class for credit (must be a sophomore, junior, or senior). 
  • Win prizes in the form of SAFE funds from a pool of up to $150,000!
  • Meet Chicago’s tech leaders and investors who can help launch your company.

 

Learn more about applications.

 

Commute from Campus to Chicago

  • Travel each week for the TE 441/CNVC class via car, bus or train.
  • $5,000 scholarship available for eligible students to support travel.
  • Networking and professional development events connect you with City Scholars students in a semester-long cohort.