Bull City Startup Stampede attracting entrepreneurs to Durham

From April 1 to May 31, Triangle area entrepreneurs will have a chance to launch their company from downtown Durham for free courtesy of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Durham, Inc. and Self-Help Commercial Real Estate.

The event, called 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 free 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, and Smashing Boxes have provided additional support for the project – assisting with logistical aspects of the Stampede.

 “We want to make this experience top-notch for these entrepreneurs,” said Casey Steinbacher, the Chamber’s president & CEO.  “The Stampede is an effort to expose more entrepreneurs to the great startup scene we have in Durham and give them the opportunity to be in an environment that will foster new innovation and scalable companies.”

Over the past year, Durham has become a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. The Chamber estimates that downtown Durham is home to over 50 startup companies, employing more than 500 people. 

The Stampede will offer participants access to a myriad entrepreneurial support organizations in Durham including CED, Bull City Forward, LaunchBox Digital, and Joystick Labs. Entrepreneurs will also have the opportunity to experience Durham’s quality of life first-hand. The Stampede’s central downtown location will provide easy access to a plethora of restaurants, bars, coffee shops, the Durham Performing Arts Center, the Carolina Theatre, the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and a number of other arts and entertainment venues.

Due to the size of the space, approximately 10-15 companies will be selected to participate. Interested companies can apply at www.startupstampede.com via a short application form. Applications are due by Friday, March 11. Selected companies will be notified by Friday, March 18. Community members and leaders interested in learning more can visit the website (www.startupstampede.com) or follow the Stampede on Twitter @StartupStampede.

About the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce:

The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce is Durham County’s leading business organization, serving more than 1,000 business, government agency and non-profit member firms. Through its community collaboration, programs and activities, the Chamber strives to help create and sustain a healthy economic climate ensuring that Durham is a great place to live, work and play. The Chamber also serves as the economic development entity for Durham County. In the last decade, the Chamber’s economic development efforts have assisted numerous companies with relocation of operations or expansion of current operations in Durham, resulting in more than $3.3 billion of investment in Durham and thousands of jobs.

Contact:
Adam Klein
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
aklein@durhamchamber.org
919-328-8755