Getting Started

FastTrack has engineers and design resources to help you translate your idea into a functional prototype.
Fast Track has a great team of mentors and experienced entrepreneurs that work with you to fill in the gaps.

ORAQ is a Duke resource that our team relies on to navigate regulatory strategy
Read more here

FastTrack is an internal Duke program that abides by Duke Employee Confidentiality Agreement. If you intend on disclosing your idea externally, we recommend you work closely with the Duke Office of Licensing and Ventures and filling out an IDF form.

Our Program

Our services are outlined on our process page.

Acceptance into the FastTrack program provides full-time engineering support, but we do not provide direct funding. We can serve as your engineering collaborator and team for grant applications.

FastTrack currently works with projects that are classified as Class I and Class II medical devices. These devices are not considered to have high risk to the patient. If you do not know how to classify your device or idea, check out this resource from the FDA or reach out to ORAQ for a consultation.

1-3 of the most promising projects with committed founder(s) that solve an unmet clinical need are chosen to participate in FastTrack.

The Application

Applicants must be a current Duke Faculty member, staff (e.g. Resident, Fellow, Researcher), or medical/graduate student. If you do not fit into these categories but are still interested in the program, feel free to contact us.

The FastTrack team reviews and scores applications using several factors, including readiness and motivation of the inventor/team, capability match with the FastTrack program, market validation of the idea, a need evaluation and intellectual property and competition assessments.
You can apply with a clinical unmet need, napkin-sketch idea or functional prototype. Our program and application are geared toward early-stage solutions but we tailor our support to the needs of the innovator.

Our application process is outlined here

The FastTrack team initially scores and evaluates projects. Decisions will be made by an Innovation Consortium comprised of engineers, clinicians, business mentors and representatives from OLV and ORAQ. All proposals will remain confidential to the Fast Track team and the Innovation Consortium.

Current application opportunities are outlined here