Deep tech, from lab to market.
Alchemist Chicago gives technical founders the training, capital and network to take deep tech from the lab to market. Quantum founders also join Duality, the nation's first program built for quantum startups.
One program, two paths.
Here is what it means depending on what you are building.
Everyone starts at Bootcamp.
Up to 30 startups are selected for a one-week, in-person Bootcamp in Chicago: customer discovery training, investor readiness workshops, founder coaching, and time with industry leaders, investors and corporate partners.
Participants get co-working space at the UChicago Science Incubator, training from university faculty, IP strategy support, grant-writing advice and access to student talent.
One week, in person, for up to 30 startups.
Selected on team strength, market opportunity, technical differentiation, traction and readiness to scale.
Program timeline.
Shared for all founders
Deep tech: Alchemist Chicago
Program dates: January to July 2027Quantum: Alchemist Chicago + Duality
Program dates: December 2026 to July 2027Alchemist Chicago Bootcamp.
The Bootcamp is where startups earn their place in Alchemist Chicago: not just a training ground, but a proving ground.
Who is eligible
- Pre-seed or seed-stage deep tech startups
- Technical founding teams of at least two co-founders
- Able to attend the Bootcamp in person in Chicago
- Global founders welcome, with the appropriate visas and fluent English
- No University of Chicago affiliation required
What you get
- Customer discovery training and investor readiness workshops
- Founder coaching and mentorship
- Networking with industry leaders, investors and corporate partners
- Co-working space at the UChicago Science Incubator
- Entrepreneurial training from University of Chicago faculty
- IP strategy support and grant-writing advice
- Access to University of Chicago student talent
Two paths after Bootcamp.
Your path depends on what you are building. Each has its own requirements and benefits.
Alchemist Chicago
Who is eligible
- Deep tech startups selected at the Bootcamp
- Able to attend the in-person week in San Francisco in January 2027 and the Showcase and fundraising bootcamp in spring 2027
What you get
- A $50K SAFE investment
- A structured curriculum with dedicated mentorship, investor engagement and founder retreats
- Co-working space in San Francisco
- $1M+ in partner perks from Microsoft, Google and others
- Alchemist and UChicago fundraising resources
- Access to the global Alchemist network and lifetime community membership
Most companies that advance grant 4% equity, with flexible terms.
Alchemist Chicago + Duality
Who is eligible
- Quantum startups selected at the Bootcamp
- Able to attend the Duality in-person sessions: kickoff December 7 to 11, 2026, a corporate event in late March or early April 2027 and UChicago Demo Day in July 2027
What you get
The resources of both Alchemist Chicago and Duality, the first US program exclusively focused on quantum startups, plus:
- A $50K SAFE investment
- Business training from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the Polsky Center
- Mentorship from 55+ entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and quantum experts
- Connections to corporate partners, investors and Chicago's quantum ecosystem
- For select companies, technical and commercialization support through IBM, including workshops, mentoring and access to IBM Quantum System Two
- Access to talent, facilities and potential IBM Ventures funding for selected startups
Duality has no cost. Learn more about Duality.
Moments from the program.
Building in Chicago.
Wafer splitting that creates ultrathin device layers, with four active pilots at global semiconductor manufacturers.
AI biomarkers from routine pathology slides for precision oncology.
A platform to train and deploy quantum-native AI models for research and engineering teams.
Physical AI for plant science.
What Our Founders Say
Alchemist does a phenomenal job.
Alchemist does a phenomenal job showing deeptech STEM founders what they need to do to build a business that solves real needs for customers.
Building deep tech? Start here.
One pitch covers both paths. Tell us what you are building.
Pitch us