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American Underground takes root at ATC

July 27, 2010

Entrepreneurial hub aims to foster innovation

By Monica Chen
mchen@heraldsun.com; 419-6636

DURHAM -- American Underground, a new entrepreneurial hub in the American Tobacco Campus, was launched with great fanfare on Tuesday during an event that drew the city's top officials and business leaders.

The new hub will cater to startups and feature gaming and technology accelerators Joystick Labs and Launchbox Digital, as well as a decades-long stalwart on the Triangle startup scene: CED, or Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

Jim Goodmon, president and CEO of Capitol Broadcasting Co., owner of American Tobacco, said Underground aims to foster an environment for innovation.

"The new jobs are coming from the startups, so this is a logical next step," he said.

The 26,387-square-foot hub, expected to open Oct. 1, will be in the lower level of the Strickland and Crowe buildings, home to Intersouth Partners and Square 1 Bank.

CED will take 3,340 square feet, while Joystick and Launchbox will each take 2,080 square feet.

Read more at Durham Herald-Sun.