Category: Stories FY25

Kurt Schmidt’s phone never stops buzzing—with founders, alumni, and students—because at Duke Capital Partners, he’s not just investing in startups, he’s investing in people.

Invented at Duke 2024 celebrated a century of innovation, featuring both landmark discoveries from the past and cutting-edge technologies from today’s inventors, offering a glimpse of the breakthroughs shaping the future.

From life sciences to engineering, Duke continues to turn research into real-world inventions, securing its place among the top academic patent leaders globally.

Duke OTC was in DC, showcasing innovations in AI, 3D printing, and mRNA vaccines to federal policymakers and highlighting the impact of academic research on public health and technology.

Restor3d raised $38 million to scale its lineup of personalized 3D-printed orthopedic implants — from shoulders to hips — bringing greater precision and improved outcomes to joint replacement surgery.

Early-stage startups from Duke, UNC, NC State, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center presented their innovations to over 50 investors. Duke spinouts showcased advancements in RNA editing, nanofiber drug delivery, AI-driven drug design, and more.

Duke Engineering faculty members share insights on launching startups from academia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, understanding market needs, and navigating the challenges of commercialization.

On August 6th, 2024, the FDA approved a new drug for previously untreatable low-grade IDH-mutant gliomas, based on foundational discoveries by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke University. This marks the first major advance in decades for patients with these malignant tumors of the brain’s glial cells.