Programs

STARTUPS

Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs

Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs is Duke's premier accelerator and leadership program designed for current Duke students who are committed to launching and growing their ventures.

Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs

Duke Startup Showcase

Featuring Duke’s top student ventures from across the university, the Showcase connects founders from any degree program with investors, mentors, and collaborators across the Duke and local startup ecosystems. Advance through competitive judging rounds, pitch to expert panels, and compete live for more than $110,000 in non-dilutive funding.

Duke Startup Showcase

Launch for Early-Stage Founders

Are you a Duke student with a big idea and the drive to build something new? Launch offers personalized support, a tight-knit community, and early access to funding and founder-focused resources—exclusively for invited early-stage founders.

Launch for Early-Stage Founders

Duke I&E Startup Sprint

Got a startup idea — and ready to make it a reality? The Duke I&E Startup Sprint is your chance to gain critical tools, expert guidance, and a powerful community to help you launch your venture with confidence.

Duke I&E Startup Sprint

DUKE IN SILICON VALLEY

Spend four weeks in Silicon Valley, where startups and global tech giants shape the future. The Ronald & Carrie Ludwig Duke in Silicon Valley program gives you an insider’s view of how companies launch, grow, and sustain new ventures.

Duke in Silicon Valley

ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE

ETA Cohort

The ETA Cohort is your launchpad to owning and leading a small business after Duke. Designed specifically for second-year MBA students and 3rd year Law School students with a clear ambition to pursue Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA).

ETA COHORT

LBO Model Workshop

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll build a fully functional leveraged buyout (LBO) model from the ground up—no templates, no shortcuts.

LBO Model Workshop

VC Foundations Workshop

Join us for a hands-on, five-part workshop series that pulls back the curtain on the fast-paced world of venture capital. Designed specifically for Duke undergrads, this series will introduce you to the fundamentals of VC, from how firms source and evaluate deals to how you can land a role in the industry without an MBA.

VC Foundations Workshop

Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)

Hosted annually by UNC Kenan-Flagler, the Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) is the world’s largest venture capital competition, giving students the chance to step into the role of a venture capitalist.

Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC)

TRANSLATION

PhD Innovators

Preparing PhD students and postdocs to transform research into impactful ventures through hands-on training and structured support.

PhD Innovators