CEI Fellows
The CEI Fellows program directly engages Fuqua students who are passionate about the application of the entrepreneurial mindset across an array of disciplines—ranging from launching a new venture to corporate innovation to venture capital and startup finance. This select group of second year Daytime and Executive MBA students who help CEI advance the practice of entrepreneurship and innovation at Fuqua.
CEI Fellows serve for one academic year, from July to May. Please contact Stephen Fusi for information on applications for the 2022-23 academic year.
Duke Angel Network (DAN)
The Duke Angel Network (DAN) brings together over 100 members of Duke’s entrepreneurial community to invest in Duke affiliated startups. Founded in 2015, DAN is investing in companies in which a founder, executive, or board member is a Duke University alumnus, faculty member, staff member, student, or parent. DAN members (investors) are individual accredited investors with a Duke affiliation. The group targets private companies with the potential for significant growth and financial return. In addition to facilitating investments, DAN leverages the power of the global Duke community to provide guidance and expertise to portfolio companies.
Duke MBA students can become part-time Associates for the Duke Angel Network on a volunteer basis. Applications are due in early Fall of first year.
Duke New Venture Fellows
The Duke New Venture Fellows program helps Duke MBA students gain startup experience by working with technologies that are spinning out of Duke University. This program is run by Duke’s Office of Licensing and Ventures (OLV) which is the tech transfer office at Duke University.
As a New Venture Fellow, Duke MBA students join in conversations with leading faculty discussing the future of innovation and entrepreneurship at Duke. As a fellow, you’ll
- Work closely with faculty, staff, and experienced serial entrepreneurs
- Commercialize and bring to market cutting-edge technology
- Network with innovators and Duke faculty from across industries
- Contribute to high-level conversations, attend invite-only guest speakers, and join founder pitch sessions
Applications are due in the Fall and in the Spring. For more information visit the website. If you have questions, email Rob Hallford (Fuqua ’05) at rob.hallford@duke.edu.
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club at Fuqua (EVCC)
The EVCC is an award-winning club run by Duke MBA students interested in entrepreneurship. It is an active and important student organization that hosts speakers, meetings, and trips to entrepreneurial hubs like Silicon Valley.
Fuqua Entrepreneurs Leadership Network (ELN)
The Fuqua Entrepreneurs Leadership Network (ELN) is a select group of Fuqua alumni and current students in their final year who are committed to founding or leading an innovation-drive startup. ELN Fellows see the potential of science and technology to positively impact society and have the bold spirit needed to start and scale organizations that can enable that potential to be realized. These dedicated entrepreneurs will positively impact the communities in which they operate by creating economic value and jobs, delivering solutions to large-scale problems, and building durable new ventures. This program is by application only through an annual selection process.
Fuqua Fast Pitch
Fuqua Fast Pitch celebrates the entrepreneurial activity happening across Fuqua. If you are a Fuqua student that has founded a startup venture, then you are encouraged to apply to compete for non-dilutive funding and access to resources and support.
Loan Assistance Program
The Fuqua Entrepreneurship Grant offers student loan assistance to Fuqua students who have actively contributed to CEI programs and have founded or co-founded a for-profit business which they will pursue full-time after graduating. The Fuqua Entrepreneurship Grants provide funding to support students for up to two years post-graduation and is a competitive award.
Eligible applicants must have outstanding student loans. Preference will be given to student debt incurred during the course of study at Fuqua. The monetary value of the Fuqua Entrepreneurship Grant will vary each year, depending on the number of awards made. Applications are now open through April 18, 2022. Apply here.
Prototype Funding
If you need funding to prototype or testing your startup idea, then apply for CEI Prototype Funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling-basis.
Summer “E-ternship” Support Funding
Students who opt to pursue a venture during the summer in lieu of a paid internship may be eligible for financial support. The CEI E-ternship Grant is a competitive award funded by the generosity of alumni donors who support the development of an entrepreneurial mindset among Fuqua students and alumni.
TechTreks
Through the TechTreks, Duke MBA students can visit venture capital and startup firms in other cities. Silicon Valley is an annual destination, with additional trips planned, based on interest, to Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Austin, Chicago and other cities that have entrepreneurship. Past meetings have included Kleiner Perkins, Google, Apple and other prestigious firms as well as startups. This program is administered by the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, with support from the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.