#seed

Alchemist Chicago, a premier early-stage startup accelerator focused on foundational technology, is a partnership between Alchemist and the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.Alchemist Chicago serves as a bridge to the University of Chicago’s world-class research institutions and talent networks. Strategically located near legacy-industry hubs ripe for disruption, it connects deep tech founders to Silicon Valley’s best practices, capital, and global networks, positioning them to transform scientific breakthroughs into market-defining companies.Up to 30 startups will be selected to participate in Phase 1, led by Polsky Center, from which a select group of up to 10 will be chosen to continue to Phase 2, Alchemist Accelerator’s flagship global program.The Polsky Center draws on the University of Chicago’s leading research in the sciences, national laboratory affiliations, and partnership with the top-ranked Booth School of Business to help startups reduce risk as they position their innovations for real-world impact. We strongly encourage quantum technology startups to apply to Alchemist Chicago. The program brings together tailored support built for the unique challenges inherent in building a quantum company. From strategic partnerships with IBM to mentorship with industry leaders, commercialization pathways, and investor networks, we encourage you to join the program that has built successes such as Rigetti, BosonQ, and qBraid -- the program that gives quantum founders the resources and connections to scale faster.Key Industries Include: Quantum – Backed by Duality, the nation’s first quantum acceleratorAI InfrastructureRobotics and Physical AICleantechAdvanced MaterialsAdvanced ManufacturingAgtech/FoodtechSpacetechOther Deep Tech Industries

Conviction is a new venture firm built specifically for the next generation of AI-native, “Software 3.0” companies—the ones poised to become tomorrow’s defining businesses. If Software 1.0 was driven by human-written code, and Software 2.0 by labeled datasets, Software 3.0 is powered by the ability to shape and steer foundation models. We’re still in the earliest phase of turning these models into real products that reshape entire industries.Pushing into frontiers like this can feel exciting, strange, and a bit lonely. That’s why small, tight-knit communities matter. To support founders working at the edge of AI, we created Embed—an invitation-only program for exceptional early teams. Embed brings together a deep network, hard-earned company-building insight, and an AI-native community where founders learn from each other and gain an edge.We’ve already run three cohorts and had the privilege of working with teams behind Chai, Cognition, Listen Labs, Physical Intelligence, Pika Labs, Reflection, Somite, Yutori, and others. And we’re just getting started.