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Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge
Also known as: Kaplan NVC, NVC
University of Chicago · Chicago, Illinois
Quick fit check
- Currently active
- Verified by research
Key numbers
Funding range
—
Equity
Varies by investment
Application
Annual
Institution Wide
Last activity
2026-06-04
High confidence
Known startups and winners
Competition winners and notable student ventures from our research.
Braintree
University of Chicago
Payments company (Venmo); Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago Booth), acquired by PayPal.
Grubhub
University of Chicago
Online food-ordering platform; Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago Booth), later a public company.
Nestera
$560,000
prize won
University of Chicago
2nd place ($560,000) at the 2026 Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge (UChicago Booth).
Simple Mills
University of Chicago
Better-for-you packaged foods brand; Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago Booth).
Slideflow Labs
$575,000
prize won
University of Chicago
Cancer pathology AI company; $575,000 Rattan L. Khosa First Place Prize at the 2026 Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge (UChicago Booth).
Tovala
University of Chicago
Smart oven and meal-kit company; Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge alumnus (UChicago Booth).
Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge
Top-ranked MBA startup accelerator in the nation, now in its 30th year. The NVC is a credit-bearing Booth course that culminates in a competitive pitch event where 10 finalists compete for $2.1M in total SAFE funding.
Key Details
- 30th annual in 2026
- $2.1M awarded in 2026, $575K first place (Khosa Prize)
- SAFE investment model
- Credit-bearing Booth School of Business course (Winter/Spring)
- 10 finalists pitch to 20+ judges
- 500+ still-active companies in portfolio
- More than $2B raised by NVC alumni companies
- More than $11B in exits
Notable Winners / Outcomes
- Grubhub (founded by Matt Maloney '05 and Mike Evans '04)
- Braintree/Venmo (founded by Bryan Johnson '04)
- Simple Mills (founded by Katlin Clark Smith '10)
- Tovala (founded by David Rabie '13)
- Foxtrot (David Betesh '12)
- G2 (Godard Abel Booth MBA)
News & articles
News articles and official sources documenting Edward L. Kaplan, '71, New Venture Challenge at University of Chicago.
1 source
