Founder-turned-Faculty at Duke University.

Teaching, advising, and engaging 1:1 with entrepreneurs. Previously Founded Closure (acquired 2022) and graduated from Duke University (2017). Now expanding my work beyond Duke.

LATEST

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

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

Use AI to Redesign
Critical Business Systems

MEET MAX

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).I'm currently exploring what "teaching outside of Duke" can look like – and am taking my own advice by starting small and testing my assumptions. My first product: 5 x 60-minute sessions (with me!) that will teach you how to change your life with AI. Learn more.

PROOF OF WORK

PROOF OF WORK / COURSES AT DUKE

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

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

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.

Use Claude Cowork to Automate the Work You Do Every Day

In one day, build your first AI system with Claude Cowork and start automating your routine tasks.

Live, guided sessions, peer break-outs, and hands-on support – using the exact tools Duke entrepreneurs use – to give you a repeatable workflow you can apply in your job, your life, and your next project.

  • Is this course right for you?

  • This course is perfect if...

  • You've used Claude Code for an hour or less—or never at all (we mean it—this really is for absolute beginners!)

  • You're comfortable with AI chatbots but haven't tried Claude Code yet

  • You want a structured first experience before tackling more advanced workflows

  • You're in a non-technical role and want to start using AI for real work tasks

  • This course is not for you if...

  • You've spent more than an hour using Claude Code

  • You've already used Claude Code to build anything

  • You have a technical background and are looking for advanced tactics and optimizations

  • You're looking for a course on building or deploying production-level AI systems

  • One requirement:

  • You'll need an active Claude subscription to participate. If you haven't set up Claude Code yet, we'll get you set up the afternoon before class.

  • Sign up for Claude Code for Absolute Beginners

  • What past students say

  • “In just 7–8 hours, you will walk away as someone with an entirely new, powerful toolkit to build and create whatever they want.”

  • —Elliot, head of growth

  • “It got me up and running on building working apps with Claude Code. Now I’m confident I can build and deploy apps for my personal and business use.”

  • —Greg, founder

  • "You’ll learn to use agents that can actually do things for you on your computer."

  • —Thomas, commercial lead

  • What you’ll learn (and do)

  • How to set up Claude Code and get it running on your computer

  • The basics: how to give Claude Code tasks, monitor its work, and evaluate results

  • Build and ship your own app, landing page, or workflow end-to-end

  • A workflow you can apply to other projects like websites, research, and more

  • How the day works

  • 1

  • Live instruction with expert practitioners, including step-by-step walkthroughs

  • 2

  • Breakouts with peers for collaboration and troubleshooting

  • 3

  • Independent building time to make progress with help on demand

  • 4

  • Feedback to get unstuck and ship by the end of the day

  • Outcomes you can expect

  • Claude Code set up and working on your machine

  • A working app you built yourself during the class

  • A workflow for automating tasks you do every day

  • A new way of thinking about what AI can do beyond the chatbox

  • What you get

  • Pre-class setup session the afternoon before, so you arrive ready to learn

  • One-day live, hands-on workshop (10 a.m.–5 p.m. ET) on Zoom

  • Taught by Mike Taylor, AI engineer and head of tech consulting at Every

  • Most up-to-date walkthrough of basic Claude Code functionality

  • A guided build where you'll assign tasks, track progress, review results, and ship

  • Real-time help during breakouts and independent build time

  • A shipped personal project and a repeatable automation workflow by end of day

  • Ongoing access to course resources, including future recordings

  • Plus: An Every membership bundled with your purchase for ongoing learning and community, which includes:

  • Hands-on, day-zero model reviews

  • Deep-dive essays on how AI reshapes work and the self

  • Early access to AI-powered tools like Monologue, Cora, Sparkle, and Spiral

  • Expert camps on Claude Code and other tools with the Every team

  • Our full archive of hundreds of essays

  • Sign up

  • Details

  • April 14

  • 10 a.m. ET–5 p.m. ET

  • Live on Zoom

  • $1,250

  • per seat

  • Includes the annual Every subscription

  • Save your seat now

  • A note from Dan

  • Claude Code completely reshaped how we work at Every, and we're excited to teach you how to use it.

  • It's the most powerful AI tool—for both developers and non-developers—that has come out in recent years because it's the first one that can work for hours without your supervision. No matter what your job is, you can use Claude Code to get a lot more done.

  • Here's the thing: Most people think this is only for programmers, but it's not. If we guide you step by step the first time, you'll be able to do it on your own. In one day, we'll help you get started with Claude Code, give it real tasks, and ship something live. You'll leave with a working project and a workflow you can reuse on your own work—apps, websites, research, and more.

  • The people who learn to collaborate with agentic tools now will move faster than everyone else later. I want you to be one of those people.

  • Frequently asked questions

  • Is this truly beginner-friendly?

  • Yes. We designed it for people who have never used Claude Code, written code, or built software. We walk you through everything step by step.

  • Do I need to be a programmer?

  • No. This course is specifically for non-developers. If you can follow instructions and stay curious, you'll get a lot out of it.

  • What tools will we cover?

  • Both Claude Code and Cowork—Claude's desktop tool for everyday professional work.

  • How do I know if I'm at the right level?

  • When you register, we'll ask how much time you've spent using Claude Code. If your answer suggests you're past the beginner stage, we'll reach out.

  • What will I leave with?

  • A workflow built around a real task from your own job and a clear process for doing more on your own.

  • How interactive is it?

  • Very. Live instruction, peer breakouts, independent work time, and real-time help throughout the day.

  • Scholarships

  • If you’d like to take this course but cost is a barrier, email [email protected] and we’ll send you our scholarship form.

  • Refunds

  • We care a lot about your experience with this course. If you’d like to request a refund for your course purchase, you may contact us through our Help Center within 14 days of purchase.

  • Please note that course refunds and subscription refunds are handled separately. Subscription refunds remain subject to our 60-day refund policy.

© 2026 Max Stern. All rights reserved.

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900