Duke Capital Partners’ Post

Mentorship is more than just guidance; it’s about sparking the potential that propels new founders forward and igniting the drive to innovate. I’m honored to be heading to New York on November 22 as a mentor for the Columbia Healthcare Ventures Fast-Pitch Competition- a gathering where ideas meet expertise, and ambition fuels progress. The event will feature 30 teams of brilliant student founders from Columbia University, all with the courage to challenge the status quo and the vision to reshape the healthcare industry. It’s moments like these that remind me of the true value of mentorship: creating a bridge between experience and possibility, and accelerating the pace of meaningful change. As mentors, we have the privilege to share our journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that can help founders navigate their path. But what’s even more profound is how this exchange enriches us all- it fuels our own passion for innovation and reinforces the belief that with the right support, today’s visionaries can be tomorrow’s pioneers. I look forward to being part of an event where boldness to pursue change is the foundation upon which new possibilities are built. Let’s keep inspiring, learning, and innovating together🦾 A very special thanks to Columbia University’s Department of Health Policy and Management and to Columbia Healthcare Ventures! #MentorshipMatters #Innovation #HealthcareEntrepreneurship #ColumbiaUniversity #FoundersJourney

Meet our Pledger of the month for March… Manos Halicioglu 🎉     Manos Halicioglu studied Applied Business Management at Imperial College London, graduating in 2009 . During his time at Imperial, Manos was deeply involved in various extracurricular activities, serving as the President of the Imperial College Business Society, Chairman of the Summer Ball and Head of Marketing and Sales at the International Student Organisation. Today, he is the CEO of Stockhub, a ground-breaking investment research platform with a mission to democratise access to financial insights.   Reflecting on his time at Imperial, Manos speaks of a transformative experience that went beyond the classroom. The university provided not just academic knowledge but also invaluable life lessons. Imperial taught him the importance of resilience, teamwork and innovation. His studies equipped him with a solid foundation in business principles, strategy, and management. This education provided him with the analytical tools and frameworks necessary to navigate the complex investment landscape successfully.   As the CEO of Stockhub, Manos leads a platform that has grown to serve 10,000 users, providing them with crucial financial insights. Manos's typical day involves a mix of strategic planning, team meetings and engagement with Stockhub's user community. He allocates time for research and development to ensure that Stockhub remains at the forefront of investment research innovation.    When asked about advice for current students, Manos emphasises embracing challenges as opportunities for learning. He suggests that networking and finding mentors within your field can provide invaluable insights and open doors. Manos's commitment to the Imperial Entrepreneurs’ Pledge is motivated by a desire to support and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. For him, sharing success and knowledge is crucial for fostering a community of innovation and collaboration.   Proud to be an Imperial alumnus, Manos highlights the world-class education and network of ambitious, talented individuals that make up the Imperial community. He describes Imperial alumni in one word: Innovators. This diverse network is united by a drive to challenge the status quo and make impactful contributions. Manos's favourite quote, "The best way to predict your future is to create it," by Abraham Lincoln, reflects his belief in taking proactive steps towards success.   Could you be a pledger? A gift of any size by an Imperial Alumni could help accelerate progress in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges whilst giving students the chance to do what they love and fulfil their potential. To find out more about Imperial Entrepreneurs’ Pledge, visit: https://lnkd.in/eTuEBMpr   #entrepreneurship #philanthropy #legacy #imperialmeansbusiness #enterprise   Imperial Enterprise Lab | Imperial Venture Mentoring Service (IVMS) | Imperial Enterprise | Imperial College Business School | Imperial College London

Are your students constructing their careers with intentionality? “Solving big problems requires an understanding of intersections,” venture capitalist and best-selling author Arun Gupta told the audience of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors assembled at George Mason University for today’s book discussion of Venture Meets Mission. “You’re able to connect the dots in a way that people around you cannot.” “Intersectionality,” he and his co-authors argue, “reflects nonlinear career paths in which people follow their passions and broaden their skills and knowledge through various roles in different industries and sectors.” Intersectionality leads to what Toni Townes-Whitley refers to as the “triple-threat athlete”—the most valuable players on the court. I especially enjoyed this part of the conversation, not just because student experience and career readiness are one of the five strategic priorities of George Mason University – Costello College of Business, but because I have seen this play out in my own career. Team members who are able to draw from a wide breadth of experience and perspective tend to think outside the box and thrive in an environment of change and uncertainty. Special thanks to the attendees, co-hosts Greg and Camille Baroni Center for Government Contracting and Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship - George Mason, event sponsors NobleReach Foundation and Sumeet Shrivastava & the Shrivastava Family, and Rebecca Howick for their work in bringing everyone together for this truly insightful event. #CostelloMeansBusiness #VisionMeetsMission #intersectionality #collaboration #entrepreneurship #CareerReadiness  

Great experience and Team. Loved working with you all! Remember: “Diversity is not just a social issue; it’s an investment strategy.” #Problem/ #Opportunity: ⛔️ Less than 2% of VC funding in Europe and the US goes to women-founded startups. ✅ Women-led startups achieve 35% higher returns on investment and 12% greater sales revenue compared to those led by men. #Diversity #Investment #Innovation

We launched Falcon Search Fund a week ago and we have now met with 19 potential investors such as Frank van Lint from Dellin Investments, Mauro B.. from JB46, and Billy Bennett from Hunter Search Capital, among others, These meetings have added plenty of value to our fundraising process. The following are the key takeaways from these meetings: 1. This isn't just about numbers; it's about #people. The true value lies in the talent that we are about to acquire. 2. Timing is crucial in each of our career paths. There must be a match in vision, values, and a strong willingness to become #entrepreneurs. Sometimes you have to let go of great job opportunities that come your way. 3. This is a long-term partnership between investors and searchers. It's important to get to know each other well, so we can #outperform the odds together. Next stop, The Wharton School ETA summit is next March 22nd and 23rd. See you there. https://lnkd.in/gPKJtaR4

📖Did you know Yale was the first university to make venture capital a key part of its endowment strategy? In 1976 under the leadership of David Swensen, Yale’s early investments into Startups and private equity brought in exceptional returns - far outpacing traditional assets. 💡Yale's endowment, which saw a 40.2 percent rate of return last year - its highest rate since 2000 - made its first venture capital investment in 1976 and has since increased the target allocation to the asset class to 23.5 percent. The success of Yale’s strategy didn’t go unnoticed. Soon, other university endowments followed suit, adding VC and private equity to their portfolios and reaping the rewards. #VentureCapital #EndowmentFunds #FinancialInnovation #PrivateEquity #YaleInvestments

As Stanford professor Ilya Strebulaev explains, venture capital is far from a gamble – it's a calculated investment in the future. His lecture on VC is a must-watch for anyone interested in the space.   Here are our top 5 takeaways:   1. Focus on Big Wins: As Ilya Strebulaev emphasizes, home runs matter more than strikeouts in venture capital. Don't be afraid to aim high and seek out investments with the potential for massive returns. 2. Seek Diverse Perspectives: Getting outside the four walls is crucial for successful venture capitalists. By seeking diverse opinions and perspectives, you can identify hidden opportunities and avoid common pitfalls. 3. Be Ready: A prepared mind is essential for seizing opportunities in the fast-paced world of venture capital. Stay informed about industry trends, emerging technologies, and potential investment targets. 4. Be Selective: Don't be afraid to say no 100 times. Quality over quantity is key in venture capital. Focus on investing in companies that truly align with your investment thesis and have the potential to make a significant impact. 5. Invest in the Team: As Strebulaev points out, betting on the jockey, not just the horse, is a fundamental principle of successful venture capital. The team behind a startup is often more important than the idea itself. Look for passionate, talented individuals who have the drive and skills to execute their vision. #VentureCapital #Startups #VC #IlyaStrebulaev #Innovation #Investment #Entrepreneurship #IDCV

#Startups have you heard about Strikeouts and Home-runs? Ilya Strebulaev a #Stanford professor defines the 'venture mindset' He encourages us to 'try and be unsuccessful more often' a statement we don't hear often and how venture capital is NOT a gamble. I encourage startups, angels and vc's to listen in. https://lnkd.in/gNcby-C3

A few weeks ago, I gave a talk for the Texas Women in Economics and the Texas Women in Business Association at The University of Texas at Austin. I got an overwhelming response from students wanting to learn more about the differences between VC and PE, so I wrote a blog post for BuildGroup as a primer for college students (or anyone looking to understand the space) to help them navigate these industries. Here are the cliff notes: The venture capital and private equity industries are often lumped together, but they exist on a continuum. While both invest in private companies, VC focuses on early-stage, high-risk startups with the potential for massive growth, and PE targets more mature, profitable companies. Here are the seven key distinctions: 1. Stage: VCs invest in new or young companies, while PE deals with established, profitable firms. 2. Risk: VC-backed companies have less revenue and are usually unprofitable (high risk), while PE -backed companies have more revenue and typically profitable (less risk). 3. Portfolio: VCs have larger portfolios to account for higher risk, while PE can have smaller portfolios. 4. Source of Returns: VCs rely on a startup's growth potential, while PE derives returns through financial engineering and operational improvements. 5. Industries: VC is concentrated in tech, while PE cuts across industries. 6. Check Size: VC provides smaller growth capital, while PE writes larger checks, often buying out existing shareholders. 7. Ownership: VCs take minority stakes, while PE firms frequently take control. Entry-level VC roles focus on sourcing and pitching new deals, while PE roles are more financial modeling and analysis of mature companies. Understanding the difference will help align your interests and skills. You can read the full blogpost here: https://lnkd.in/gj3W933B Thanks to Bethany Vodicka and Akshara Viruthagiri for hosting the original talk. Texas Career Engagement | The University of Texas at Austin UT Austin Department of Economics

#InvestorsDilemma 🌟 Dive into the world of venture capital with Professor Ilya Strebulaev from Stanford MBA! 🚀 For 20 years, he has been at the forefront, studying Silicon Valley investors and their 'venture mindset' for successful investments. Curious about the decision models they use? Wondering how to apply them to our own lives? 🤔 📽️ Watch the short video to uncover these insights and more! 💡 Link to the video: [Watch Now!](https://lnkd.in/ej-EeM2Z) #VentureCapital #SiliconValley #InvestmentStrategies