Duke University’s venture investment group focused on early-stage ventures, formerly known as Duke Angel Network, has officially announced its rebranding as Duke Capital Partners. This strategic evolution underscores the organization’s expanded mission to provide crucial capital and expert guidance to promising Duke University startups. Duke Capital Partners also remains committed to offering unparalleled experiential learning opportunities for Duke students, solidifying its position as a leading university-affiliated investment entity in North America, consistently ranking among the top five.
Duke Capital Partners New Logo
This transition to Duke Capital Partners is a result of the Board of Trustees’ comprehensive review of Research, Translation, and Commercialization efforts at Duke. By strategically aligning with the University’s Office for Translation & Commercialization (OTC), Duke Capital Partners is poised to more effectively contribute to Duke’s vibrant innovation ecosystem. This integration is designed to foster deeper engagement between its members and the innovative community of Duke entrepreneurs, researchers, and faculty.
Kurt Schmidt, Managing Director of Duke Capital Partners, emphasizes the organization’s broader vision: “At Duke Capital Partners, we believe our contribution to Duke extends significantly beyond financial investment. Our dedicated Operating Team, our members, and student Associates collaborate closely with Duke’s faculty, students, and alumni founders. Together, we are committed to commercializing groundbreaking technologies that hold the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Since its inception in 2015 as Duke Angel Network, Duke Capital Partners has achieved remarkable growth and impact. It has channeled over $50 million into Duke-affiliated ventures, with a significant portion – over a third – deployed in the last fiscal year alone. Beyond financial backing, Duke Capital Partners actively cultivates strong partnerships with its portfolio companies, offering advisory support and board participation to nurture their growth and success.
However, the impact of Duke Capital Partners transcends the capital deployed. A cornerstone of its mission is the investment in its student Associates. These students gain invaluable firsthand experience across the spectrum of venture investment, acquire insights into the dynamics of startup operations, and build unique professional skills within an academic setting. Furthermore, Duke Capital Partners serves as a dynamic platform for alumni engagement, strengthening the global network of Duke alumni, parents, and friends who contribute to the University’s mission. These synergistic relationships are vital in accelerating the journey of innovative technologies from the lab to the market, addressing critical global issues.
The strategic integration of Duke Capital Partners with Duke’s Office for Translation & Commercialization is already yielding positive outcomes. This closer alignment provides the Duke Capital Partners team and its investor members with enhanced visibility into the pipeline of innovations emerging from Duke University. This improved insight allows for earlier engagement and valuable input on the development of nascent technologies and emerging startups.
Robin Rasor, Associate VP for Translation & Commercialization, highlights the mutual benefits of this strategic move: “The inclusion of Duke Capital Partners within the OTC framework offers our members increased opportunities to evaluate promising startup ventures. Crucially, it also allows us to leverage the extensive industry and investment expertise of these members, inviting them to serve as advisors to both faculty entrepreneurs and to OTC as we consider our own investments in early-stage innovations.”
To delve deeper into the activities and mission of Duke Capital Partners, and to explore potential collaborations or investment opportunities, please visit the official website at dukecapitalpartners.duke.edu.
