Founder-turned-Faculty at Duke University.

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Hi – I'm Max Stern. I'm an educator, operator, and entrepreneur who currently splits time between New York City and Durham, North Carolina.

Work History
Services & Support
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Full BackgroundIn 2023, I joined the faculty of Duke University as a Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, where I teach accelerator-like courses for MBA, graduate, and undergraduate student entrepreneurs. I also oversee programs for student founders (like LAUNCH and Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs) and work 1:1 with technical founders via Independent Study programs. In 2024, my course was named "The Favorite Course of MBAs" by Poets&Quants.

Spring 2026 Courses: New Ventures: Develop
Previous Courses: New Ventures: Discover, New Ventures: Develop, New Ventures: Deliver, Special Topics: Customer Validation, Special Topics: Ideas into Action, Full Faculty Profile.

Before teaching, I founded Closure – a funeral industry software company that lets people file notifications of death online. As CEO, I bootstrapped the business to $8M ARR, grew the team to 25 full-time employees, and led the company through its $48M acquisition in 2022.

Read my story in Duke's Profile: Made For This

Today, I live in New York City and continue to teach courses at Duke via long commute.

EducationBachelor of Science in Mathematics, Duke University (2017).

ServicesI typically engage with organizations and individuals in one of three ways – as a teacher, as an advisor, and as a consultant. In each case, engagements are customized to the needs of the specific client and audience.

Teaching

Beyond Duke, I run a small number of paid workshops and bootcamps each year for professionals and small teams. Previous workshop topics: low-code/no-code development, early employee success, AI implementation, GTM standards.
Advising: I work 1:1 with founders, primarily at the early and technical stages. Inside Duke, this happens through LAUNCH, the Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs Program, and Independent Study. Outside Duke, I take on a small number of paid advisory engagements each year – typically with founders I'm uniquely positioned to help.
Consulting. I work with small teams (typically <25) in NYC on building durable AI workflows that make teams faster — and the people on them more valuable. Engagements range from one-time strategy sessions to ongoing advisory work.

Teaching: Beyond Duke, I run a small number of paid workshops and bootcamps each year for professionals and small teams. Previous workshop topics: low-code/no-code development, early employee success, AI implementation, GTM standards.
Advising: I work 1:1 with founders, primarily at the early and technical stages. Inside Duke, this happens through LAUNCH, the Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs Program, and Independent Study. Outside Duke, I take on a small number of paid advisory engagements each year – typically with founders I'm uniquely positioned to help.
Consulting. I work with small teams (typically <25) in NYC on building durable AI workflows that make teams faster — and the people on them more valuable. Engagements range from one-time strategy sessions to ongoing advisory work.

LATEST

Closure: From Idea to Exit
Duke I&E
Nov 7, 2025

The Favorite Course of MBAs
Poets & Quants
Sept 13, 2024

Teaching & Faculty Profile
Scholars @ Duke

TeachingMy official title at Duke is Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and I teach accelerator-like courses for student entrepreneurs across all stages and industries.
Spring 2026 Courses: New Ventures: DevelopPrevious Courses: New Ventures: Discover, New Ventures: Develop, New Ventures: Deliver, Special Topics: Customer Validation, Special Topics: Ideas into Action, Full Faculty Profile.

SpeakingMy official title at Duke is Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and I teach accelerator-like courses for student entrepreneurs across all stages and industries.
Spring 2026 Courses: New Ventures: DevelopPrevious Courses: New Ventures: Discover, New Ventures: Develop, New Ventures: Deliver, Special Topics: Customer Validation, Special Topics: Ideas into Action, Full Faculty Profile.

In 2023, I joined the faculty of Duke University as a Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. I teach MBA, graduate, and undergraduate courses in Strategy and Innovation & Entrepreneurship; oversee programs for student founders (like LAUNCH and Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs); and work 1:1 with technical founders across all stages and industries. My course was named "The Favorite Course of MBAs" by Poets&Quants in 2024.Before teaching, I founded Closure, a funeral industry software company that made it easy to file notifications of death online. I bootstrapped the business to $8M ARR and 25 full-time employees before its $48M acquisition in 2022.I graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. I minored in Financial Economics and Visual & Media Studies, and was a Melissa & Doug Entrepreneur.Today, I live in New York City and continue to teach at Duke (via long commute).

My official title at Duke is Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship, and I teach accelerator-like courses for student entrepreneurs across all stages and industries.
Spring 2026 Courses: New Ventures: DevelopPrevious Courses: New Ventures: Discover, New Ventures: Develop, New Ventures: Deliver, Special Topics: Customer Validation, Special Topics: Ideas into Action, Full Faculty Profile.

Consulting

I work with small teams in NYC (typically <25) and build AI systems that make every individual better. Engagements are customized but typically include This looks like a combination fo hands-on workshops, fractioanl consulting work, and ongoing advisory.

Use AI to Redesign
Critical Business Systems

MEET MAX

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Hi – I'm Max Stern. I'm an educator, operator, and entrepreneur currently splitting time between New York City and Durham, NC.In 2023, I joined the faculty of Duke University as a Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship. I teach MBA, graduate, and undergraduate courses in Strategy and Innovation & Entrepreneurship; oversee programs for student founders (like LAUNCH and Melissa & Doug Entrepreneurs); and work 1:1 with technical founders across all stages and industries. In 2024, my course was named "The Favorite Course of MBAs" by Poets & Quants.Before teaching, I founded Closure, a funeral industry software company that made it easy to file notifications of death online. I bootstrapped the business to $8M ARR and 25 full-time employees before its acquisition in 2022.Now, I live in New York City and continue to teach at Duke (via long commute).

Teaching & Practicing Entrepreneurship in New York City and Durham, NC.

Teaching & Practicing Entrepreneurship in New York City and Durham, NC.

PROOF OF WORK

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Courses at Duke

LET'S ENGAGE

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I work with startup founders and teams in one of three ways: as a teacher, as an advisor, or as a fractional operator.

Engagements typically include some combination of 1:1 sessions, team workshops, and asynchronous audits.
Deliverables typically include breakthrough solutions to specific business challenges, the direct implementation of technical systems, and an aligned team prepared to tackle similar problems in the future.
Email [email protected] to work together.

COURSES AT DUKE

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Max is a Lecturing Fellow in Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Duke University. He teaches accelerator-like courses for student entrepreneurs across every stage and industry.Spring 2026 Courses: New Ventures: DevelopPrevious Courses: New Ventures: Discover, New Ventures: Develop, New Ventures: Deliver, Special Topics: Customer Validation, Special Topics: Ideas into Action, Full Faculty Profile.

WORK DOMAINS

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My work typically spans 3 domains: teaching, advising, operating, and program management.

Formats typically include some combination of 1:1 sessions, team workshops, and asynchronous audits.
Deliverables typically include breakthrough solutions to specific business challenges, the direct implementation of technical systems, and an aligned team prepared to tackle similar problems in the future.

LEARN WITH MAX

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I'm expanding my work beyond Duke to include 1:1 growth workshops and startup engagements.

For Startups

5 x 60-minute sessions with me, on your schedule.We'll work through exactly how AI can change the way you work, think, and operate – built entirely around your life, your goals, and your specific situation.No courses, no homework – just useful progress every session. We will apply frameworks from Duke University and the world's fastest-moving startups and CEOs to build up-and-running systems that work for you.If after 5 sessions you can't say "this was the best investment I've ever made," I will refund you in full. No questions asked.

FAQ

Max, what is this and what are you doing?
While teaching at Duke and working with startups, I've seen how using AI can radically change your life for the better. It helps people avoid headaches,
I teach entrepreneurship at Duke's Fuqua School of Business. I'm exploring what teaching looks like outside of Duke — and I'm taking my own advice by starting small and testing the idea with people I trust. This is that first test.
What do I walk away with?
A clear, personalized system for using AI in your daily life — specific to your work, your goals, and how you think. Not theory. Actual tools and habits you'll use after session one.
What if I don't know anything about AI?
Perfect starting point. These sessions are built around where you are, not where I assume you are. Total beginners and power users both get value.
What if it's not worth it?
Full refund. No questions asked. I mean it.

I work with startup founders and teams in one of three ways: as a teacher, as an advisor, or as a fractional operator.

Engagements typically include some combination of 1:1 sessions, team workshops, and asynchronous audits.
Deliverables typically include breakthrough solutions to specific business challenges, the direct implementation of technical systems, and an aligned team prepared to tackle similar problems in the future.
Email [email protected] to work together.