Award & Investment Overview
The University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has selected eight graduating students for the 2026 Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship (PF3), providing capital and structured support for founders committing to work full time on their ventures after graduation.
Participating ventures may receive up to $24,000 through a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE), distributed in installments over one year. Fellows also receive continued Polsky Center support, including quarterly coaching.
The 2026 cohort includes Haldune, Revela Surgical, The Dev Difference, WattShift, BRAIV, Ampable, (P)RiND, and Carelumi. The companies span defense and enterprise software, surgical devices, hiring technology, energy infrastructure, precision psychiatry, EV charging, food products, and healthcare administration.
For university commercialization programs, PF3 addresses a practical transition point: enabling student founders with demonstrated traction to move from university-supported entrepreneurship into full-time company building.
Approach & Ecosystem Context
PF3 is structured around founder commitment and venture traction rather than early idea formation. Applicants must have an incorporated company, demonstrate credible traction, and be prepared to work full time on the venture after completing their University of Chicago degree.
This makes the fellowship a bridge between campus entrepreneurship and independent venture development. The combination of potential SAFE financing, a yearlong funding period, and continued coaching gives founders time to advance customer validation, product development, fundraising, and other milestones without immediately leaving the university support ecosystem.
From a Mind the GAP perspective, PF3 demonstrates how universities can extend GAP support beyond traditional proof-of-concept funding. While proof-of-concept programs typically de-risk university technologies, founder-focused programs such as PF3 address another commercialization constraint: providing entrepreneurs with the capital, time, and support required to build companies around validated opportunities.
The portfolio approach is also notable. Rather than concentrating on a single technology sector, Polsky is supporting founders across software, healthcare, energy, medical devices, food, and defense-related applications.
Innovation & Technology
Haldune is developing software that automates debriefing and converts unstructured accounts into searchable institutional knowledge, initially targeting military after-action reviews.
Revela Surgical is developing Revelascope, a videoscopic surgical retractor integrating a camera and LED lighting to improve visualization and ergonomics during complex procedures while maintaining tactile feedback.
The Dev Difference uses AI to conduct curated, multilayered first-round interviews and provide employers with additional hiring intelligence beyond traditional résumés.
WattShift provides an API that simplifies utility pricing information, enabling manufacturers of connected energy technologies to help customers optimize electricity costs and participate in grid programs.
BRAIV is developing a precision psychiatry platform that combines real-world outcomes data with machine learning to support medication selection.
Ampable develops EV charging infrastructure for multifamily properties while connecting charging networks with the electric grid to optimize charging costs and electricity demand.
(P)RiND is developing oven-baked Parmesan snacks positioned around high protein content and simple ingredients.
Carelumi automates healthcare provider credentialing, licensing, payer enrollment, and privileging to reduce administrative delays before providers can begin delivering and billing for care.
Potential Market Uses and Applications
Haldune
Potential Defense and Enterprise Applications
- Military after-action reviews
- Institutional knowledge management
- Operational debriefing
- High-stakes team learning
Revela Surgical
Potential Clinical Applications
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Complex surgical procedures
- Surgical visualization
- Videoscopic surgical instrumentation
The Dev Difference
Potential Enterprise Applications
- Candidate screening
- AI-assisted interviewing
- Recruiting workflows
- Hiring intelligence
WattShift
Potential Energy Applications
- Utility rate intelligence
- Connected energy devices
- Demand flexibility
- Distributed energy resources
- Grid participation
BRAIV
Potential Clinical Applications
- Precision psychiatry
- Medication selection
- Depression treatment
- Anxiety treatment
- Clinical decision support
Ampable
Potential Energy and Mobility Applications
- Multifamily EV charging
- Managed charging
- Grid-responsive charging
- Property electrification
- Distributed energy management
(P)RiND
Potential Food Applications
- High-protein snacks
- Low-carbohydrate foods
- Specialty food retail
- Consumer packaged goods
Carelumi
Potential Healthcare Applications
- Provider credentialing
- Medical licensing
- Payer enrollment
- Clinical privileging
- Healthcare compliance
Related Topics
University of Chicago, Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Polsky Founders’ Fund Fellowship, PF3, student entrepreneurship, university accelerators, SAFE investment, venture development, startup funding, university commercialization, founder support, proof of concept
About innovosource
innovosource tracks GAP programs, including proof-of-concept programs, startup accelerators, translational research initiatives, university venture funds, and commercialization ecosystems that help move university innovations from research to market.
Our coverage is informed by the Mind the GAP Initiative and the GAP COA consortium activity, providing practical insights into the evolving commercialization landscape.
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