E3 Durham

E3 Durham E3 Durham brings together an array of organizations and institutions that provide key services for entrepreneurs in the Durham, NC community.

The Equity for Every Entrepreneur (E3) Durham program employs a community-centered model that reduces the cost of doing business for Durham entrepreneurs. Local Navigators — trusted advisors who have extensive relationships in the community — provide guidance to enrolled entrepreneurs at no-cost. E3 Durham features a ‘Learn to Earn’ (L2E) program where entrepreneurs can accumulate entrepreneurial

education and network connection ‘credits’ that can be used to procure subsidized professional services from local Business-to-Business (B2B) service providers. Additionally, enrolled entrepreneurs also have the opportunity to participate in cohort accelerators and receive support for capital access, certifications, and procurement. They’ll also have access to a vibrant physical hub of activity based in a culturally-rooted downtown coworking community.

02/10/2026

From sharing his passion for AI at to launching his own AI startup designed to help small businesses tell their stories, E3 Durham provided Keenan Smith with more than just a platform; it reignited his entrepreneurial spirit.

💬 “E3 gave me my first opportunity to speak… now my co-founder and I are working on an AI startup.”


Partners:

02/09/2026

Next up:

Knox St. Studios is a nonprofit Entrepreneur Support Organization (ESO) helping small businesses turn ideas into action. Through programs like their accelerator and Startup Weekend, they guide entrepreneurs from concept to concrete business development.

But that’s just the start.

Richard Brown, part of the Knox St. team, works hands-on with business owners to help them understand and integrate AI tools into their workflows, so they can automate what they can, stay competitive, and finally take a few hats off.

As part of the Durham E3 Alliance, Knox St. Studios doesn’t operate in a silo. They actively collaborate across the ecosystem, offering their expertise, tapping into others', and building partnerships that create deeper support for entrepreneurs across the region.

Learn more at knoxststudios.org.

Stay with us as we continue to spotlight some of the changemakers shaping Durham’s entrepreneurial future.



E3 Alliance Members: .entrepreneurs, , , , , , ,
Partners:

02/09/2026

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Subscribe by checking out the link in our bio.

02/06/2026

Next up:

Infinity Bridges is all about connection. Led by founder -Tasha Best-Gaddy, this Durham-based organization helps entrepreneurs build wealth through three pillars: advising, training, and ecosystem building.

Infinity Bridges exists to bridge the gaps, connecting entrepreneurs not just with one another but also with trustworthy, relatable, and actionable information. Their goal? Help founders build sustainable, fundable businesses that are ready to engage with local, state, federal, and corporate partners.

As a member of the , Infinity Bridges plays a key role in ensuring collaboration across the ecosystem. By working closely with other support organizations like , La-Tasha ensures entrepreneurs aren’t duplicating efforts; they’re getting clear, focused guidance through powerful connections.

📍 Based in Durham. Building bridges to lasting entrepreneurial success.
Learn more at infinitybridges.com

Stay with us as we continue highlighting the community leaders behind the movement.



E3 Alliance Members: .entrepreneurs, , , , , , ,
Partners:

02/06/2026

Para Mariana Hernández Valencia, descubrir E3 Durham comenzó con algo muy sencillo: escuchar a alguien hablar español y darse cuenta de que existía un espacio que realmente comprendía a emprendedores como ella.

Desde sus primeras conversaciones hasta su participación en sesiones como Third Thursdays, Mariana encontró mucho más que recursos: encontró una comunidad. Halló flexibilidad, apoyo genuino y personas a las que podía acudir en distintas etapas de su camino como emprendedora.

Lo que más le sorprendió fue saber que el acompañamiento no era igual para todos. Ya fuera que estuviera comenzando, trabajando en sus metas o afinando su contenido y redes sociales, E3 le ofrecía un apoyo adaptado al momento que estaba viviendo.

Su experiencia nos recuerda que el ecosistema adecuado crece contigo y crea espacio tanto para tu vida como para tus metas.

02/06/2026

Mariana Hernández Valencia’s advice to fellow entrepreneurs is rooted in experience and compassion.

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you begin. Businesses grow little by little, plans change, and that’s okay. Growth is part of life, and your business is allowed to evolve with you.

Most importantly, she encourages entrepreneurs to focus on connection. Show up to events. Ask questions. Build relationships not just to sell, but to truly connect, collaborate, and create community.

You never know what doors can open when you find the right people and the right place to belong.

Her journey is a reminder that progress matters more than perfection, and community makes the journey stronger.

02/05/2026

📅 Save the Date: February 19, 2026

Join us for a special Virtual hosted via Zoom. This engaging evening will spotlight innovation, entrepreneurship, and community impact across the E3 Durham ecosystem.

🕠 5:30–8:00 PM ET on Zoom

Highlights include:
• Program updates and new partner announcements
• A showcase of Fall LevTech Accelerator graduates
• Facilitated breakout discussions on entrepreneurial solutions to community challenges

Whether you're a business leader, founder, or ecosystem partner, this is an event you’ll want on your calendar.

📌 Zoom link and full agenda coming soon.

02/05/2026

Victor Ize-Iyamu of shares how the LevTech Accelerator, powered by and , helped transform his dry cleaning business not just with tools like new software and equipment, but by giving him something even more powerful: a community.

02/04/2026

Introducing: .entrepreneurs

echo is a nonprofit social enterprise rooted in Durham and serving the broader Triangle region. They work with aspiring and current entrepreneurs, starting at age 13, through tailored year-round programming, near-peer mentorship, and access to capital.

At the core of Echo’s work is a powerful principle: entrepreneurs building entrepreneurs. This isn’t just a program, it’s a mindset that guides everything they do. With insights from both youth and adult advisory boards, echo ensures its offerings are aligned with the real-time needs and ambitions of the entrepreneurs it serves.

As a proud member of the Durham E3 Alliance, echo is helping build a deeper, more connected entrepreneurial support system. Their work within E3 focuses on collaboration, designing intentional programs, aligning services across the ecosystem, and ensuring organizations work not just in parallel but together.

📍 Based in Durham. Empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Learn more at www.echo-nc.org

Stay tuned as we continue highlighting the changemakers behind the movement.



E3 Alliance Members: .entrepreneurs, , , , , , ,
Partners:

02/04/2026

Last brought together entrepreneurs, small business owners, and ecosystem partners for an evening focused on connection, insight, and growth. From strategic conversations to actionable financial guidance, the energy in the room reflected a shared commitment to strengthening our local business community.

These moments highlight the value of coming together to learn, network, and move forward with intention.

A special announcement regarding the next is coming soon. Be sure to stay tuned for upcoming details and opportunities to engage.

02/03/2026

This month, we're shining a light on some of the organizations at the heart of Durham’s entrepreneurial growth.

The is made up of local Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) working together to empower small business owners through connection, collaboration, and community-led solutions. Each week throughout February, we’ll be spotlighting these powerful partners, sharing their stories, impact, and how they’re building stronger support systems for Durham’s entrepreneurs.

First up: Cities

A national nonprofit, Forward Cities brings ecosystem builders from within and across communities together to learn from and with one another, acquire effective new tools and strategies, and test promising models and approaches designed to generate new insights.

As a member of the Durham E3 Alliance, Forward Cities is joining local organizations in identifying strengths, addressing gaps, and launching bold new initiatives that make a real difference.

📍 Based in Durham. Impacting communities nationwide. Learn more about Forward Cities by visiting www.forwardcities.org.

Stay tuned all month long as we highlight the changemakers behind the movement.



E3 Alliance Members: .entrepreneurs, , , , , , ,

Partners:

Invest Forward applications are now open!Invest Forward includes two tracks designed to provide deeper, more structured,...
02/02/2026

Invest Forward applications are now open!

Invest Forward includes two tracks designed to provide deeper, more structured, and resource-driven support for entrepreneurs, combining hands-on learning, ecosystem navigation and a L2E stipend towards technical service assistance to help move businesses forward. Both tracks are 8-week, execution-focused programs designed to deliver real progress and tangible business outcomes.

Start-Up Track
The Start-Up Track supports early-stage entrepreneurs who are ready to turn ideas into viable businesses. This cohort is based on the Kauffman Foundation’s FastTrac curriculum and is facilitated by Tamette Farrington of T’Farri Solutions, a local business support agency. Participants will also receive direct connections to local Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs) through collaboration with Forward Cities’ E3 Durham Navigation team.

Accelerator Track
The Accelerator Track serves growth-stage, revenue-generating, service-based businesses seeking to grow through institutional, government, and large anchor clients. The cohort is facilitated by Bianca Jackson of BrickRose Exchange, who brings extensive national experience in procurement readiness, systems building, and scaling businesses.

Applications for both tracks are now open. The deadline to apply is February 20, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

Learn more & apply at https://forwardcities.org/ecosystems/e3durham/invest-forward/

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