Empowering Communities of Innovation
The foundit Program
The Christensen Family Center for Innovation at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering is excited to launch foundit, a new program aimed at supporting and growing a diverse and inclusive innovation and technology ecosystem in our region.
We’re bringing together educational content, partner programs, coaching, events and applications of new technologies to help fuel the growth of an equitable technology startup community. Our goals are to:
- connect with people interested in solving problems in their communities and the world
- partner with like-minded orgs to enable people to further their personal journeys
- introduce people to innovation and how to creatively solve problems
- connect people to each other for exploration and growth opportunities
- connect people to startups, supporting communities, mentors and coaches
- enable people to explore opportunities for jobs and careers in startups and tech
- empower people through educational content and coaching support
- facilitate the development of ideas and opportunities in technology
With this program, we hope to make a lasting impact on the community and help everyone reach their full potential. We already have some great partners who have joined us on this journey to build a better future for our region! If you want to learn more about partnership opportunities for this program, fill out this form and someone will be in contact with you.
In partnership with:
1-on-1 Coaching
foundit provides 1-on-1 coaching to innovators and founders who want some feedback on their ideas or want to learn more about the innovation process and what steps they should take next. This is a great opportunity to receive personalized feedback from an Innovation Coach and onboard onto our Innovation Platform, Navi.
If you want to schedule time with a coach, click here to register on Navi and provide our coaches with some background information about your idea. Afterwards, you will be taken to a calendar link to schedule a 30 min 1on1 session with one of our Innovation Coaches.
If you want to learn more about the foundit program or what the coaching provides, please fill out this contact form and someone will be in touch.
Check Out Our Events
RECORDED EVENT
Where Blockchain Technology, NFTs and Sneaker Heads Collide
If you are surprised to hear Blockchain, NFTs and Sneaker Heads in the same sentence, check out this great fireside chat between the founders of Tongue & Sole and the leaders of Knox St. Studios with a background in fashion. They explore how these worlds come together to create amazing custom sneakers and enable artists to create and express themselves in ways they could not before.
This Event Has Passed
LIVE EVENT
Live Event: TechStars Startup Weekend, Tech in Health and Wellness
Join us for a transformative weekend of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity at Durham’s Techstars StartUp Weekend, hosted by the Duke Pratt School of Engineering, focused on Health & Wellness.
This event is designed for anyone who has a passion for creating innovative solutions to pressing health and wellness challenges. This event will be hosted by Knox St. Studios and The Christensen Family Center for Innovation at Duke.
June 2-4, 2023
RECORDED EVENT
Blockchain: Demystifying Blockchain and Practical Applications
Have you wondered what Blockchain really is? You are not alone! We designed this session to provide an introduction to Blockchain. We not only explore what it can do, but also how it can be applied to solve real world problems.
This event features two founders of Blockchain startups in a fireside chat discussing practical applications for Blockchain technology, and each of their startup founder journeys.
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RECORDED EVENT
Careers in Tech: Discovering Your Passions and Pursuing Them
Are you interested in tech but unsure what a career might look like? Are you not sure if tech is for you? Or not sure where to start in pursuing a career in tech?
This event featured a panel of young professionals from diverse backgrounds who shared personal stories about their journeys in tech careers. They discussed persevering through hard times to get where they are today, as well as what they want to continue to pursue as their journey continues.
This Event Has Passed
Learning Hub
This Learning Hub is designed to meet you where you are. Each month, we explore a new theme, where we demystify different technologies and look at their many applications.
In addition, we talk to founders and young professionals doing work in these areas, so that you can see how they come to life to solve the problems of today’s world.
If there are any technologies or subjects you would like to see us explore, please let us know.
The Christensen Family Center for Innovation at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering provides the resources and environment to help technology innovators turn their ideas into ventures, and make progress in their careers.
With a foundation in design, we empower technology innovators to execute on an idea addressing an authentic problem and create value for the innovator, their customers, and society. We offer access to methodologies, experiences, coaching, and experts to help founders reach their full potential, or make the transition into tech. Our goal is to reduce the friction associated with getting started and making progress in innovation and tech.
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