Investing together with Duke
By partnering with fellow members of the Duke family and with the University itself, our members are presented with unique opportunities to invest in, and engage with, innovative early-stage companies.
Network
Over 200 members have joined since Duke Capital Partner's inception in 2015, providing a wealth of experience.
Investments
Our members have invested $50M+ in over 40 companies and invested over $18M in FY22, making Duke Capital Partners one of the most active investing groups inside a university.
Satisfaction
Our members appreciate our high deal quality (99% satisfaction), due diligence (97%), and deal variety (94%).
A unique way to engage with Duke
Being a member of Duke Capital Partners is more than just investing: it’s also a way to stay engaged with fellow alumni members and with the most exciting Duke-connected investment opportunities. Members often contribute their subject matter expertise in diligence and through portfolio support. The result? Successful, innovative companies with powerful, longitudinal ties to Duke that are redefining industries from consumer software to biomaterial implants.
“I have been a Duke Capital Partners member since its inception and it has been very inspiring to see the progression in quality of investment opportunities, professionalism of the diligence and communication, high quality of interaction with other Duke Capital Partners members, and above all the lasting impact of funding ventures of growth businesses led by Duke faculty, alumni and even students. Duke Capital Partners is truly commercial and results driven, which is practicing what Duke preaches: making a real impact in the real world. It is energizing to learn about many businesses, invest in a few, and watch and help support their progress."
– Duke Capital Partners member
“Duke Capital Partners far exceeds high expectations in terms of deal flow, information flow, and quality of diligence. I find interactions with the team to be uniformly interesting and productive. Being involved with the breadth of companies that Duke Capital Partners brings to its members is a unique learning experience that deepens my connection to Duke. Being a Duke Capital Partners member is like taking a graduate course in venture investing. I highly recommend membership to all my friends and colleagues.”
– Duke Capital Partners member
“Duke Capital Partners is a critical component of Duke's educational mission and the entrepreneurial ecosystem and culture Duke needs to create for its students, faculty, and alumni. It creates a meaningful connection between students and alumni, providing networking also between alumni. It is also a vital element for the education Duke offers its students, teaching real-world problem-solving, creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration/teamwork. These are life-skills that all Duke graduates should have, whether or not they plan to start their own companies or simply be 'intrapreneurs' within larger organizations.”
– Duke Capital Partners member
Our members must be accredited investors as defined by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Members make their own investment decisions on every deal. Members are expected to contribute and collaborate on diligence processes and support portfolio companies in any of the myriad ways investors can be helpful to early-stage businesses. We encourage and welcome suggestions of potential new members who should join the network, and appreciate member referrals to appropriate investment opportunities.