UChicago has always been a launchpad for ideas that change the world. Our contributions across a wide range of academic disciplines—from economics to nuclear physics—have shaped modern thought and scholarship globally, earning us a well-deserved reputation for producing Nobel laureates. At LTF, we are proud of this rich academic tradition and recognize that entrepreneurship can complement these roots by accelerating the application of ideas. Entrepreneurship brings effective, real-world solutions to market much faster, bridging the gap between discovery and impact.

Today, LTF is thrilled to announce the launch of Fund 1, our first external funding initiative designed to expand our work and support the next generation of entrepreneurial talent at UChicago.

Who We Are

LTF is a student-run, strategic venture capital fund on a mission to promote entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago, support innovative founders, and transform UChicago into a thriving hub of innovation. But our vision goes beyond the campus—we’re dedicated to helping position Chicago as a leading center of cutting-edge innovation.

Since our founding in 2017, we’ve operated with an annually refreshing $10,000 donation from a single alumnus, using it to source, diligence, and provide grant-style pre-seed funding for startups led by UChicago founders. At a university like UChicago, where brilliant ideas abound, we’ve seen countless talented individuals with transformative ambitions. Our goal is to empower these innovators to pursue their visions, rather than default to traditional career paths due to funding challenges.

As students, we have a unique edge in identifying and sourcing talented peers. Unlike traditional pre-seed incubators or accelerators, we operate year-round and maintain zero operational costs. Our student-run model is lean, efficient, and laser-focused on helping entrepreneurs succeed. Whether we’re providing pre-seed funding, strategic mentorship, or guidance on scaling a business, we’re here to ensure that UChicago founders can turn their bold ideas into thriving ventures.

Join Us

Why Fund 1? It’s simple: too many brilliant ideas go underfunded—or worse, unfunded. Over the past few years, we’ve witnessed a growing number of incredible startups struggling to access the resources they need to get started. For us, the last year has been pivotal:

• Our investments raised over $3 million in seed funding

• Two of our investments got into the YC ‘24 batch

• One of our investments was recognized in Forbes 30U30

• Two founders were recognized in Chicago’s Inno 25 Under 25

Also in 2024, we reached our budget for the first time, a milestone that reflected the increasing demand and quality of startups we’re seeing. This momentum is expected to continue, and we need to grow to match the pace of innovation. Fund 1 represents an opportunity to fuel this growth, empower founders, and ensure UChicago remains a launchpad for transformative solutions. If you’re interested in joining us or learning more, reach out at team@ltf.vc. Join us in our journey to bring Fund 1 to life and fuel innovation at UChicago.