Elevator Pitch Competition
Short, timed pitches judged on clarity and substance. A low-stakes first stage for founders who are still shaping their story.
Since 2008 · Volunteer-run · Duke community
The Duke Global Entrepreneurship Network
DukeGEN connects Duke founders, operators, investors and friends of Duke around the world. We run pitch competitions, speaker series, showcases and local meetups, so people who build companies can find each other.
9,500+members: students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Duke
30+events a year across programs and cities
2008founded by Duke alumni, still run by volunteers
Independent organization. DukeGEN is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or funded by Duke University or the Duke Alumni Association. We are a separate organization, organized by Duke alumni and friends of Duke.
What we run
Five recurring formats. Each one is built to get founders in front of people who can help them, and to keep alumni in the room after graduation.
Duke Start-Up Challenge
A longer competition for teams with a working product or early traction, judged by operators and investors.
DukeGEN Startup Speaker Series
Founders, investors and operators share what they learned building companies. Formerly the Entrepreneurship Education Series.
Start-Up Showcase Events
Companies present to a room of Duke alumni and friends who can invest, advise, hire or introduce.
Multi-city Networking Events
Local meetups for Duke people building or backing companies. Join the one nearest you, or start one.
Events
Our calendar changes every term and season. Members and subscribers get each event first, with date, location and registration in one place.
Get event invitations- Competitions
Pitch rounds with judges from the Duke network. - Speaker series
One-hour talks from founders and investors. - Showcases
Demo-style presentations to an audience of alumni and friends. - City meetups
Informal networking in each city where Duke people build companies.
Co-chairs
DukeGEN is run by volunteers. Our co-chairs are Duke alumni who build and back companies.
T. Reid Lewis
Trinity 1984 · Founder, TRL Growth Advisors
Co-founded DukeGEN in 2008.
Sergey Khusnetdinov
Fuqua 2013 · Managing Partner, Ga^3in VC
Co-chair. Invests in and advises early-stage companies.
Michele Eidam
Fuqua 2013 · CEO, Found & Seek
Co-chair. Builds and leads a company of her own.
History
Started by Duke alumni who wanted a place to talk about building companies. It has grown into one of the most active entrepreneurship groups connected to Duke.
- 2008 · Founded
In April 2008, T. Reid Lewis, Howie Rhee and Jon Fjeld founded DukeGEN, with an introduction from Danny Briere. Michael Cann had proposed something similar a few months earlier. - Today · Running at scale
30+ events a year and more than 9,500 members across students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Duke.
Questions
Short answers. If yours is not here, email us.
Who can join?
Anyone connected to Duke: students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Duke. You do not need to be a founder to join.
Is DukeGEN part of Duke University?
No. DukeGEN is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or funded by Duke University or the Duke Alumni Association. We are a separate organization organized by Duke alumni and friends of Duke.
How do I get involved?
Join the network to receive event invitations. You can also volunteer for an event, speak at a series session, or start a city meetup.
Can my company present?
Yes. Competitions and showcases are open to Duke-connected founders. Details and deadlines are posted with each event.
Join the network
Get event invitations, competition calls and introductions to Duke founders, operators and investors. Nearly 10,000 members already meet in our LinkedIn group.