Durham a Hotbed of Entrepreneurial Activity

Durham, a city with deep entrepreneurial roots, is again garnering national attention for its progressive and innovative community. Currently, the Chamber estimates that downtown Durham is home to over 50 startup companies, employing more than 500 people. Also home to the Research Triangle Park, Durham really is a city to be reckoned with.  

These facts make it easy to see why the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce announced the Bull City Startup Stampede at vertically the same time the federal government announced its intention to begin a series of roundtables aimed at reducing barriers and regulations to build a more supportive environment for entrepreneurship and innovation right here in Durham on March 3. Here is more information on each program.

The Bull City Startup Stampede, will provide startups access to 3,500 square feet of office space at 201 W. Main Street in downtown Durham for 60 days. During the Stampede, entrepreneurs will have time to focus on launching their business, receive free technical assistance from attorneys, accountants, and other service providers and meet with several successful entrepreneurs located in downtown Durham. Entrepreneurs will get to use the state’s fastest Wi-Fi connection courtesy of Time Warner Cable Business Class and receive free parking compliments of the City of Durham. Local companies nBaxter Design, Edge Office, Preation and Smashing Boxes have provided additional support for the project – assisting with logistical aspects of the Stampede. This program is courtesy of courtesy of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham, Inc. and Self-Help Commercial Real Estate.

The Startup America: Reducing Barriers roundtables are in response to President Obama’s issuing of an Executive Order instructing federal agencies to identify and take steps to reduce regulations that are outdated or overly burdensome to entrepreneurs. The roundtable series will build on this directive and is part of the Administration’s overall Startup America efforts to support for startups and entrepreneurs with tools and resources to grow America’s economy and win the future. Entrepreneurs and small business owners in Durham interested in attending any of the events can learn more by emailing reducingbarriers@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov/startupamerica.