Duke I&E’s Premier Event Celebrating Student Entrepreneurship
The Duke Startup Showcase, launched in 2023, features Duke’s top student ventures from across the university. The Showcase provides a venue for student founders from any Duke degree program or school to connect with potential investors, mentors, and collaborators from the Duke and local startup ecosystems. Student ventures apply to the Showcase and go through multiple rounds of judging for the chance to show off their ventures in the event. The top undergraduate and graduate/professional venture teams are invited to pitch before a virtual judging panel in the weeks leading up to the Showcase. The finalists from that round are invited to make live pitches at the Showcase and have the chance to win more than $110,000 in non-dilutive funding.
Save the date: The Duke Startup Showcase returns on April 9, 2026 — join us for an unforgettable evening spotlighting the next generation of Duke student founders and innovators!
Watch Pitches and Awards From the 2025 Duke Startup Showcase
“The quality of ventures and pitches at the Duke Startup Showcase was unbelievable. I don't see better ventures, traction, or pitches from some of the serial entrepreneurs who we invest in. Seeing that quality in student ventures was incredibly inspiring!”
Tobi Walter, Partner, Cofounders Capital