David T. Robinson

David T. Robinson is the James and Gail Vander Weide Distinguished Professor of Finance at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). He specializes in private equity, venture capital, and entrepreneurial finance, with research featured in top-tier journals and media outlets like The New York Times and The Economist. His academic roles include serving as Core Faculty in Duke’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative and former Vice Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Global Agenda Council on Private Capital.

Robinson holds a PhD and MBA from the University of Chicago, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and a BA from the University of North Carolina. His expertise spans global scholarship, including advisory roles at the Swedish House of Finance and the Private Equity Research Council. He has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the Stockholm School of Economics.

His research addresses critical issues such as racial disparities in entrepreneurial capital access, green investment behavior, and the impact of media like Shark Tank on entrepreneurship. Notable grants include projects on social entrepreneurship ecosystems and the influence of innovation policy funded by the National Science Foundation and USAID.

Robinson’s advisory work extends to private equity firms and technology startups, reflecting his dual focus on academic rigor and practical industry insights. His publications frequently explore themes of liquidity in private markets, investor decision-making, and the intersection of environmental policy with financial markets.