Our Mission

Enabling local entrepreneurs to create world-changing solutions.

Our Vision

Bull City Forward envisions a transformation across Durham and the region, where a world-class cluster of creative minds is scaling for-profit companies and non-profit enterprises that are not only contributing thousands of jobs to the economy but are contributing in meaningful and measurable ways to improving the local and global community.  This cluster is supported by a robust talent pipeline of problem-solvers who are homegrown locally and recruited globally.  This community is defined by its emphasis on collaboration, sustainability, diversity, and accountability and its success has attracted millions of new dollars in investment.  Much like Research Triangle Park half-a-century before, Durham’s Bull City Forward is studied as a global model of economic and community development and the city is recognized as a global leader of social innovation and entrepreneurship.

Our Values

Sense of Place — We honor Durham’s entrepreneurial history, prize the diversity of our cultural context, and actively seek to engage all members of our community in pursuing a common vision for Durham’s future.

Diversity Breeds Innovation – We foster a highly creative work environment where entrepreneurs from a variety of industries and backgrounds collaborate to diversify the perspectives and experiences that inform each of our ideas and organizational models.

Irreverence for the Status Quo — We acknowledge room for improvement in all sectors of our community, appreciate that bold new ideas can tackle entrenched challenges, and champion the development of creative solutions.

Sharing Amplifies Impact — We share business resources, working space and ideas in order to decrease barriers to launching a venture regardless of personal circumstance.

A Culture of Accountability — We use measurable outcomes to evaluate our progress, gather and apply data to refine our best practices, and build an identity of personal accountability.