On April 9, the Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Duke I&E) community gathered for the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase. The atmosphere was electric, with over 400 attendees gathered to witness the evolution of student-led ventures.
FROM CONCEPT TO CENTER STAGE
Beginning in December 2025, students participate in a rigorous multi-round judging and feedback process. Out of 88 applicants for this year’s Showcase, 36 student-led ventures were selected to present their work, and 7 standout teams pitched on the big stage for the chance to win prizes. Explore the full list of featured ventures here.
FUEL FOR GROWTH
This year, the Showcase provided over $110,000 in non-dilutive funding to the top ventures. This capital provides an accelerant for the student ventures and represents a meaningful vote of confidence in their work.
- Helian – $30,000 Borchardt Grand Prize (first-place undergraduate venture)
- Toilemetry – $30,000 (first-place graduate/professional student venture)
- Serv Technologies Group– $10,000 Borchardt Runner-Up Prize (second-place undergraduate venture)
- Jeani – $10,000 (second-place graduate/professional student venture)
- momnt. – $5,000 (third-place undergraduate venture)
- VoxIntel AI – $5,000 (third-place graduate/professional student venture)
- WeGotYou – $10,000 Social Innovation Prize (best venture whose primary purpose is to solve a social or environmental problem)
- Jeani – $7,500 Dean Yep, Jr. Prize (Fuqua student venture that uses entrepreneurship to diminish geographic and social boundaries)
- Grid Intelligence - $5,000 Best in Showcase Award (selected by the audience)
- Grid Intelligence - $3,000 Climate & Sustainability Prize
AN ECOSYSTEM OF FOUNDER SUPPORT
The Startup Showcase demonstrates the thriving Duke entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together a network of alumni mentors and judges, investors and donors.
This year, the alumni community demonstrated its commitment through sustained engagement. Volunteers dedicated over 100 hours to evaluating student work and offering advice. By sharing their professional perspective, these alumni helped students navigate the friction of building something new.
THE PATH FORWARD
The Startup Showcase provides founders with confidence and momentum. Energized, these founders carry their resources, feedback, and professional connections forward to continue the process of learning and iteration. We can’t wait to see what they build next.
Ewan Bradley MS '26 (right) talks about his venture, Jeani, with an attendee at the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase
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Y.B. Carr MBA '26 (right) shakes hands with a young attendee at the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase
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John Buxton BS '26 (center) talks about his startup, Helian, to attendees at the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase
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Sean Fang BS'28 (left) and Cole Bonawitz BS'28 (right) pitch their startup, momnt., at the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase
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Shayna Dahan MBA '26 pitches her startup, WeGotYou, at the 2026 Duke Startup Showcase
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