There are a number of initiatives related to entrepreneurship at Duke University. These initiatives cover the many areas need to help create a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem that fosters the entrepreneurial spirit.
 DUHatch Student Business IncubatorThe DUHatch student business incubator is located in the Teer building on Duke’s West campus. This space for student-led ventures demonstrates the university commitment to fostering entrepreneurial spirit and activities on campus. This space provides appropriate support to increase student interactions and the chances of a company’s survival and growth and will also provide for economies of scale for advisors to meet with teams. The space is designed for 24/7 student access and is a place for entrepreneurial students to work and connect with others to advance their ideas and engage with others that might provide support or input into their work. DUHatch is inclusive to all forms of enterprising ideas, be they social, technology or service in nature. A key component of the incubator is the mentoring program to match experienced mentors from within the university, alumni and RTP community with student entrepreneurs. More information at www.cerc.duke.edu/duhatch  Duke Entrepreneurship Education Series (DEES)The Duke Entrepreneurship Education Series (DEES) is a comprehensive program designed to introduce all Duke students – from both graduate, undergraduate, and professional schools – to the key concepts necessary for a future in entrepreneurship or venture capital. The series is designed so the majority of events are front-loaded into September and October, with the express purpose of giving students a stronger foundation to participate in a variety of entrepreneurial activities in the Duke community, such as the Duke Startup Challenge, the Duke Entrepreneur, Markets and Management, EVCC, VCIC, Venture Fellows, and more. The series prepares students to network and build key relationships more quickly in their careers. The series connects students from all parts of the Duke community, including the business, law, engineering, environmental, medical, and scientific fields, with the goal of increasing the likelihood that exciting developments in the lab will find the key collaborators needed to translate innovations into full-fledged companies. The series was formally started in the 2008-2009 academic year. More information at www.dukeDEES.com The goal of the Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network (DukeGEN) is to be a sophisticated and active network that helps create debate, dialogue, and lucky encounters between Duke entrepreneurs. We are providing the energy and coordination to encourage Duke entrepreneurs, around the globe, to connect and increase their chances of success. We have formed a LinkedIn Group (800 members as of February 2009). The LinkedIn Group provides you with profiles of other Duke alumni that are interested in entrepreneurship and give you a forum to discuss entrepreneurship Sign up at www.dukegen.com The Duke Start-Up Challenge is an entrepreneurship competition that runs the course of the academic year, from November to April. The competition includes an Elevator Pitch Competition in November, a full business plan submission in February, and a live finals event in April, with multiple teams winning cash and prizes throughout the competition for the best submissions. The prizes are awarded to overall best plan/presentation and best submission in each of several categories (e.g. High-Tech/Information Technology, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Consumer Products/Services, and Social Entrepreneurship). Additionally, teams are provided with feedback along the way from judges to help with further development of the business concept into the next phase and beyond. The Duke Start-Up Challenge was started in 1999. Previous winners and participants have successfully formed startup companies, including Centice (www.centice.com), Theranova, (http://www.theranova.com/), and Advanced Liquid Logic (www.liquid-logic.com). More information at www.dukestartupchallenge.org
Duke Student VenturesDuke students are creative and highly motivated and many have ideas for business and social ventures that they would like to explore during their undergraduate and graduate studies. Often these ventures fail to materialize, wasting an opportunity to advance a potentially valuable venture toward completion. We understand that by providing mentoring from peers and experienced entrepreneurs, along with space for these ventures, we can enhance both the depth of the educational experience and the likelihood of a venture succeeding. CERC has been instrumental in establishing the Duke Student Ventures program, which provides a means for Duke students to secure University support and recognition for their business or social venture. Students fill out a business proposal form in advance of presenting at a monthly meeting with an Advisory Board consisting of faculty, staff and students involved in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurship education at the university. More information at http://osaf.studentaffairs.duke.edu/programs/Duke_Student_Ventures/index.html
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital ClubThe Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club (EVCC) is focused on facilitating interactions between our members, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and venture capitalists around the world. The EVCC also acts as a liaison between students seeking opportunities in these fields and the Career Management Center. The club is one of the most highly subscribed and most active organizations at Fuqua and across Duke. We have an incredible group of dedicated individuals on our cabinet that are available to assist you. Winner of the MBAA Club of the Year award, 2008-2009. Nominated for Club of the Year, 2007-2008.  Program for Entrepreneurs (P4E) The goal of the Program for Entrepreneurs is to assist entrepreneurs in launching new businesses. Rather than have entrepreneurs struggle to start a business on their own, we bring together many of the ingredients that are needed to increase the chances that an entrepreneur will be successful. 1) Ideas: Work with ideas from Duke University, the Research Triangle Park community, and companies such as Microsoft. We will help match you with cutting-edge ideas that could become the foundation for your startup. 2) Mentoring: Meet weekly with a team of mentors that is designed to advise and support you in your startup. These mentors are selected for their extensive experience with startups, and their willingness to meet with you regularly to provide assistance. 3) Resources: Tap into the expertise and knowledge of our Affiliate and Mentor networks, made up of executives and alumni from across the world. Benefit from our infrastructure to support your startup (office space, services, etc…). And connect to the investment community. More info at: http://www.dukeven.com/courses/fuqua-program-for-entrepreneurs |
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