WRAL Techwire: Microsoft to build ‘Innovation Hub’ in Durham for work with Duke

by Rick Smith — July 9, 2018

DURHAM – Microsoft will build what is being called an “Innovation Hub” at the Chesterfield building in Durham as part of a research agreement with Duke University.

The hub was disclosed as part of a collaboration deal announced between Duke and the tech giant which involves use of cognitive and research tools made available through Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing offering. The facility is expected to be completed by this fall.

The Chesterfield is already home to a variety of life science startups and related firms. Duke already is committed to occupying some 100,000 square feet of the 286,000 square foot structure which used to be a tobacco factory. The first Duke researchers recently began moving in to the building, which was remodeled by Wexford Science + Technology.

According to Duke and Microsoft, Tallman Trask, III, Duke’s executive vice president, was the architect behind the agreement. And Trask said the Microsoft hub will boost Durham’s reputation as a growing technology center.

“I was lucky to be in Seattle more than 30 years ago when Microsoft was a startup there,” said Trask in the announcement. “It’s great that Microsoft and Microsoft Research have recognized not only the value that can come from research collaborations with Duke, but also the rise of Durham into a tech hub.”

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