The University of Chicago received a donation Tuesday that will help give students experience in venture capital and investment decision making.
The Chicago Innovation Exchange, UChicago’s tech hub and business incubator, announced that it has received a $250,000 donation from Booth School alumnus George Kadifa for the University of Chicago’s Innovation Fund Associates program. The program pairs students with university researchers who are currently looking for funding and helps them make informed decisions about investments.
Nineteen UChicago undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students were selected to participate in this year’s program out of close to 75 who applied. The students will sit in on a class on Commercializing Innovation, and receive additional training and support from staff at the Chicago Innovation Exchange, the university said in a news release.
“The Innovation Fund Associates program gives students exposure to new ideas and fresh thinking, the chance to collaborate with researchers and other students, and training and skills they can apply to their career, no matter what their field of study,” said Kadifa. “The result is a program that opens doors to new career paths and opportunities for students, and one I’m proud to support.”
Applications for the Spring 2015 funding cycle of the Innovation Fund are due on March 12, the university said.
“The 2015 Innovation Fund Associates are a motivated group of students with a keen interest in innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset,” added John Flavin, executive director of the Chicago Innovation Exchange. “Since introducing the Innovation Fund Associates program last year, we’ve seen already how much value it adds to the review process and the students’ experience. We believe strongly this next class of Associates will continue to advance the value and prestige of the program.”
via University of Chicago’s Innovation Fund Associates Program Gets $250,000 Donation | Chicago Inno.
