2009-2010‎ > ‎

Grand Finale

Congratulations to our Winners!  See the results and photos


The 10th Annual Duke Start-Up Challenge Grand Finale with Aaron Patzer '02

Meet the Duke alum that sold his company for $170 million!

Friday, April 16, 6pm @ Fuqua's Fox Center and Geneen Auditorium
 
Join us for this special event where we will reveal the winner of the $25,000 grand prize. Hear the inspirational journey of Aaron Patzer '02, Founder and CEO of Mint.com, who recently sold his company for $170 million. 

And be prepared to vote for your favorite - the audience will be able to choose their favorite team when they hear the 14 best teams give their one-minute elevator pitches. Be sure to check out this exciting event. 

Food and drink provided.  (ID required for alcoholic beverages) 

6:00 Reception in the Fox Center @ Fuqua
7:30 Kickoff in Geneen Auditorium @ Fuqua
7:40 Keynote by Aaron Patzer
8:10 14 1-minute pitches (will take around 20 minutes with change overs)
8:30 Audience Choice voting
8:35 Announce Awards
8:50 End of Program

About Aaron Patzer

Aaron Patzer T '02, founder and CEO of Mint a free, simple, and secure personal finance web application which consolidates your financial life in one place.  Aaron became the Vice President and General Manager of the Personal Finance Group at Intuit when that company acquired Mint.com for US$170M in November 2009.  Prior to Mint, Aaron was a Lead Architect at Nascentric and the technical lead of the San Jose office.  Aaron was selected by Fortune Magazine to the Top 40 Entrepreneurs Under 40 in 2009 and Money Magazine named him as one of the top 8 Money Heroes of 2008.  He has twelve patents issued or pending to his name.
 

Next Steps

Sponsors and Supporters
Intersouth Partners, a leading venture capital firm - http://www.intersouth.com
Hughes Pittman & Gupton, an accounting firm for startups - http://www.hpg.com
Hutchison Law Group, a law firm for startups – http://www.hutchlaw.com
iContact, email marketing software - http://www.icontact.com
Square 1 Bank, a venture bank for startups - http://www.square1bank.com
Wyrick Robbins, a law firm for startups – http://www.wyrick.com
Palo Alto Software, makers of Business Plan Pro - http://www.paloalto.com
Smith Anderson, a law firm that helps startups - http://www.smithlaw.com


About the 10th Annual Duke Start-Up Challenge
The Duke Start-Up Challenge entrepreneurship competition runs throughout the academic year, from November to April. The competition includes an Elevator Pitch Competition in November, an Executive Summary Competition in January, and a live Finals Event in April, with multiple teams winning cash and prizes throughout the competition for the best submissions. The prizes are awarded to overall best plan/presentation and best submission in each of several categories (e.g. Energy & Environment, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Products & Services, and Social Entrepreneurship). Additionally, teams are provided with feedback from knowledgeable judges along the way to help with further development of the business concept into the next part of the Duke Start-Up Challenge and beyond. Founded in 1999 by an ambitious group of Duke students, the competition is now celebrating its 10th year of operation. More information at http://www.dukestartupchallenge.org.

Comments