University of Chicago Booth School of Business

In his rise to the top of Forbes’ list of leading global venture capitalists, Koichiro Nakamura, MBA ’07, learned that sometimes the risky place is the best place to be. Meanwhile, for YouTube sensation Megan Grisolano, MBA ’15, what started as a creative outlet led to a career in storytelling.

Learn more about the pivotal moments that shaped these alumni’s career journeys. ⬇️

‘Put Yourself in the Right Place at the Right Time’ and Other Career Lessons A venture capitalist and surprise YouTube sensation share pivotal moments in their careers.

To kick off the 30th anniversary of its Edward L. Kaplan, ’71, New Venture Challenge, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation held a fireside chat with past winner Matt Maloney, SM ’00, MBA ’10. The Grubhub cofounder won the NVC’s Rattan L. Khosa, ’79, First-Place Prize in 2006.

The conversation offered a candid look at Maloney’s startup journey—from bootstrapping in Chicago to leading one of the top food-delivery platforms in the United States.

Read more. ⬇️

The Power of Persistence Grubhub cofounder Matt Maloney, SM ’00, MBA ’10, reflects on his journey since winning the NVC in honor of its 30th anniversary.

Research by Chicago Booth’s Nicholas Epley shows that real-time, back-and-forth dialogue builds connection in ways we consistently underestimate. Even people who disagree politically reported feeling positive after having a real conversation with one another.

“When we fail to appreciate why conversation connects us, its power to do so can seem almost magical,” Epley writes. “It can also lead us to make mistakes when we choose how to connect with other people.”

Read his full article in Chicago Booth Review. ⬇️

Is Conversation Magical? Conversations are much more than an exchange of information.

“Right now, we don’t really have any evidence of a white-collar bloodbath” from AI, says Chicago Booth’s Alex Imas.

Read more at Business Insider. ⤵️

Google DeepMind economist sees no AI jobs bloodbath yet, but warns of a layoff cascade AI's role in job cuts is minimal, says Google DeepMind's Alex Imas, but warns of layoffs due to pressure to adapt to AI advancements.

Darin Rovell, MBA ’25 (XP-94), came out of Booth’s Sokolov Executive MBA Program with more than just new skills and connections. “I became a father midway through the program,” he says. “Suddenly the program became just a bit more challenging, and more rewarding, too.

“Fatherhood reframed everything. Time became the scarcest resource I had, and learning to spend it well—on the right work, the right people, the right priorities—turned out to be one of the most valuable skills I picked up at Booth.”

Darin recently joined New Era Energy & Digital as chief accounting officer, where he will continue to use the skills he developed at Booth. Meanwhile, his family has continued to grow since he finished the Sokolov EMBA Program. “We welcomed our son after graduation, and watching him and his older sister discover the world together has been the best part of this chapter,” he says. “I’ve found that the discipline and perspective I gained as a new parent at Booth still guide how I lead, how I show up, and how I choose what matters.”

On June 19, 1865, more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, “General Order No. 3” was read in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to enslaved people. Now a federal holiday, Juneteenth marks the abolition of slavery in the United States.

The UChicago community is proud to support a range of events across the South Side to celebrate the holiday. A few highlights:

- June 19: Annual Juneteenth celebration at the DuSable Black History Museum featuring live music and local vendors
- June 20: Community gardening at the Woodlawn Botanical Nature Center
- June 25: Artist Amanda Williams on reimagining space, memory, and liberation

See the full event lineup and details. ⬇️

Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 at UChicago in the community Celebrate Juneteenth 2026 at UChicago in the community Jun 11, 2026 On June 19, 1865, “General Order No. 3” was read in Galveston, Texas, bringing news of freedom to enslaved people more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Now a federal holida...

Before donning their caps and gowns, Booth’s class of 2026 celebrated their achievements during a reception at Chicago’s iconic Field Museum. Graduates across Booth’s MBA and specialized masters programs dressed to impress for a memorable evening with friends and family. Congratulations to our newest alumni!

Congratulations to the graduating MBA students who received honors at the 2026 Spring Awards! The winners included more than 50 MBA students across the Full-Time and Part-Time MBA Programs. They were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership excellence, service to the Booth community, and other contributions to the school. The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation also awarded honors to students for their achievements in entrepreneurship and social impact.

We can’t wait to see what these students do next!

Twelve mission-driven teams pitched their startups to local stakeholders and potential investors during Demo Day, the culmination of a six-week program called Global Launchpad. Designed for social entrepreneurs, the program is offered by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Programme on Social Innovation and the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation.

This year’s participants represented the expansiveness of Hong Kong’s social impact community, addressing youth education, elderly wellness, women’s reproductive health, care for neurodiverse children, and much more.

Learn more about their ventures.👇

Global Launchpad: Strengthening Hong Kong’s Social Impact Entrepreneurs Twelve mission-driven ventures pitched their renewed visions and celebrated their progress at Global Launchpad’s Demo Day.