Durham, NC — Durham County Government, in partnership with Forward Cities, is proud to announce the launch of the 2025 Innovate Durham Cohort. This year’s group of entrepreneurs and innovators will participate in a 4-month program that transforms Durham into a living lab for innovation. 

Innovate Durham launched in 2017 as a partnership between Durham County and the City of Durham to give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to test new ideas, products, and services in real-world settings with the support of local government partners. The goals of the program include testing the latest technology, building innovation capacity, supporting local businesses by providing them with a use case to attract clients or investors, and providing direct benefits to organizations. Since its inception, Innovate Durham has served as a bridge between innovative thinkers and public sector institutions, opening doors for collaboration that benefits the entire community.

“I’m thrilled to lead the Innovate Durham program, where our local entrepreneurs and small businesses have the opportunity to collaborate directly with Durham County Departments, to pilot cutting-edge ideas, and drive positive change in our community,” shared Sabria Futrell, Durham County Economic Development Coordinator. “Every year, the passion and creativity of our participants inspire the entire Economic Development team, and I’m excited to partner with Forward Cities and E3 Durham to continue to lead the way in innovation and small business growth.”

Programs like Innovate Durham are platforms for inclusive economic mobility. By connecting entrepreneurs with public sector partners, the program helps ensure that ideas with potential don’t just stay on the drawing board, but instead are tested, refined, and scaled in ways that make a tangible difference. This year’s cohort is offered in partnership with Forward Cities through the E3 Durham program, which employs a community-centered model and local Navigators to provide guidance to enrolled entrepreneurs at no cost. 

“Forward Cities is proud to partner with Durham County to support the 2025 Innovate Durham Cohort,” said Dr. Diamonte Walker, CEO of Forward Cities. “This program reflects the spirit of innovation by connecting local entrepreneurs with the resources, networks, and opportunities they need to test and scale their ideas. Through our E3 Durham program, we are committed to ensuring access to high-quality coaching to match their brilliance and bring viable solutions to market. These business-to-government opportunities create accessible pathways that can transform how we do business while opening doors for our community.”

The 2025 cohort includes:

Cashem Holland, Financial BOSS | Financial BOSS is a nonprofit organization that educates, empowers, and elevates children in the areas of money management and financial literacy. Cash is being championed by Durham County Library.

Ed Holloway, Placeable | Placeable offers a modular housing system that leverages software and automation to cut manufacturing costs, accelerate production, and ultimately lower prices for consumers. Ed is being championed by the Office of the County Manager.

Nijil Persaud, Novexa | Novexa is a health innovation company building healthier, more resilient communities through preventive care, sustainability, and equity. Nijil is being championed by the Cooperative Extension.

The program launched on September 24, with participants engaging in workshops, mentorship, and real-world pilot opportunities. It concludes with a public Demo Day on Thursday, December 11 at 6pm, where the participants will showcase the results of their partnerships.

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