Associate Spotlight: Faisal Anees

We’re thrilled to highlight Faisal Anees, an incredible member of our team who has played a key role in the success of Duke Capital Partners (DCP). Along with serving as a Lead Life Science Associate at DCP where he manages due diligence; Faisal’s also a ‘diligent’ graduate researcher at the Payne Lab here at Duke University.

With a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering (BME) and currently pursuing a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science (MEMS), along with a Master’s in Computer Science (CS), Faisal truly embodies the spirit of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial drive at Duke. As he gears up to graduate at the end of Fall 2024, Faisal is taking some time to reflect on his diverse journey. He’s eager to share his insights about his passion for advancing technology, his experiences at Duke Capital Partners, and his exciting aspirations for the future.

What led to your initial involvement with DCP? 

My journey with DCP began unexpectedly. I was initially working with the student founders program, ideating on a startup I was building. Then I heard about DCP through a mutual connection. I was interested in the entrepreneurship space and wanted to help other startups with challenges they faced as well. This led me to join DCP and it has been an incredible platform to support Duke-affiliated companies in their early stages.

How has your education and expertise in BME, MEMS, and CS played into your involvement at DCP? 

Since we see a wide variety of deals that are very tech heavy coming from such a big research university, I think my diverse educational background has really helped me dig into the nuances of technologies that are being launched from Duke. It has allowed me to lead diligence on biotech and tech-focused deals because my education has equipped me with the skills to accurately assess and support these startups.

What are you short-term and long-terms goals upon graduation? 

Looking ahead, in the short term, I aim to work for a venture capital firm or consulting firm to gain operational experience and enhance my skillset. Long-term, my ambition is to help build startups and contribute to the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

What are your thoughts and your expectations for the future of BME, MEMS, and CS in VC? 

I am optimistic about the future of these fields within VC. As many fields become more and more interdisciplinary—combining biology with AI, materials science with biomedical engineering—it’s crucial to have a broad knowledge base. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to work with and build teams composed of various areas of expertise, which is essential because how cross-functional technologies are becoming.

Any final thoughts or advice for Duke students and community members who want to be involved in VC? 

DCP has honestly been one of the best experiences of my PhD. While grad school provides deep knowledge in a specific area, DCP has broadened my understanding across various disciplines. I have been able to engage with so many founders and companies operating in various industries. For Duke students and community members looking to venture into VC, I highly recommend getting involved with DCP. I think being an Associate with DCP has shaped me to become an entrepreneur in the future.