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Duke Capital Partners

Duke Capital Partners leverages the power of the Duke network to support the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. We seek the most audacious Duke founders

Durham, NC, USA

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Description

Duke Capital Partners (formerly Duke Angel Network) is the official venture investment arm of Duke University. It connects high-growth startups within the Duke ecosystem to a global network of accredited investors, including alumni, parents, and friends of the university. 
  • Seed & Series A: This is the core focus for new investments.
  • Traction Required: Startups should ideally have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and evidence of early market validation, such as initial revenue, clinical data (for biotech), or signed pilot contracts. 
  • Affiliation Requirement: To be eligible, at least one member of the founding or executive team must be a Duke alumnus, student, parent, or faculty member.
  • Method: Founders apply through the Duke Capital Partners application portal, which is hosted on the Dealum platform.
  • Materials: A comprehensive pitch deck, executive summary, and 3-year financial projections are mandatory. 

Eligibility

  • Sector: Industry-agnostic, with heavy historical activity in Biotechnology, SaaS, MedTech, and Fintech.
  • Geography: Global. They invest in Duke-affiliated startups regardless of where the company is headquartered.
  • Governance: The company must be a for-profit entity with high scalability and a clear path to a liquidity event. 

Process

  1. Staff Screening: The professional management team reviews all applications to verify Duke affiliation and assess business viability.
  2. Screening Committee: Selected startups participate in a deep-dive interview with a committee of experienced members and industry experts.
  3. Member Pitch: Finalists present to the full network of 100+ accredited investors during quarterly pitch events (held virtually or in-person).
  4. Due Diligence: Interested members form a team to conduct an intensive 4-to-8 week review of the company's financials, IP, and legal standing.
  5. Investment: Members make individual decisions, which are aggregated into a single LLC on the startup's cap table.

What an Applicant can Obtain

  1. Direct Capital: Access to funding from an elite network of high-net-worth alumni and seasoned business leaders.
  2. Duke Ecosystem Access: Direct connections to university research, specialized labs, and the Duke Office of Translation & Commercialization.
  3. Strategic Mentorship: Coaching from alumni who are often global leaders in their respective industries.
  4. Talent Pipeline: Facilitated access to Duke students and graduates for internships and full-time hiring.