By Krista Whalen

For the past five years, since 2015, DIHI has hosted Innovation Jam, a pitch program for innovators across the Duke community. Inspired by NBC’s Shark Tank, Innovation Jam affords innovators the opportunity to pitch their health-related ideas to Duke investors. Deans, department chairs, division chiefs, and institutional leaders across disciplines have come together over the years to provide valuable feedback and vital support to emerging health innovations. DIHI has worked alongside innovators to present 26 pitches with Duke intellectual property at Innovation Jam events since 2015. As a result, $395,000 Duke dollars have been awarded in the form of investments in emerging devices, diagnostics, and digital therapeutics. Just as importantly, Innovation Jam provides innovators with institutional support, mentorship, and vital feedback to help shape and propel their novel innovations forward. Many innovators have formed companies, secured investments from outside sources, and continued to contribute to Duke’s innovation ecosystem.

The growth of Innovation Jam over the years and the impact it has made in the Duke community has been exciting and I look forward to seeing the event continue to grow and empower the next generation of healthcare leaders. One of the most powerful components of Innovation Jam is its collaborative energy. Innovation Jam brings together diverse perspectives and expertise to strengthen the ideas we put forth on Jam day. DIHI has partnered with a team of experts across Duke’s campus to provide pitch preparation and coaching to Innovation Jam finalists. The Office of Licensing & Venture has developed market scans for finalists; Fuqua students have engaged with innovators to develop business plans and milestones; a panel of evaluators from Pratt, Nicholas, Nursing, Medicine, and others have contributed their time to coach innovators and help prepare pitches.

Further, our team of investors represents a cross-disciplinary group of Duke leaders. Their support has been instrumental in growing the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Duke. The engagement we’ve received from our team of investors, not only during the Innovation Jam but also throughout the year, is invaluable to cultivating the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at Duke.

We are grateful to the innovators, evaluators, investors, students, and many more who have contributed to Innovation Jam. Thank you. Together, we can continue to innovate and solve some of healthcare’s greatest challenge