As part of our ‘Partner Spotlight’ series, we introduce our 2020 ECOSYSTEM partner, Knox St. Studios. Their mission is focused on three objectives; information sharing, teaching, and apprenticeship. Knox St. Studios designs and facilitates instruction to educate community stakeholders (residents & business owners) on asset creation, growth and protection.
Describe your organization in 25 words or less.
We champion social justice, equity and inclusion. We employ our unique understanding of the economic and educational hurdles that affect diverse and underserved communities. We help people navigate a clear and forward path to economic mobility. We steward entrepreneurship and the STEM educational skills that are needed to thrive in the dynamic North Carolina ecosystem.
How does your organization support entrepreneurs?
We offer training- accelerators, startup weekends incubators and workshops. We, in partnership with Google, offer career certificates to those who want to reskill or ramp up their skill sets.
What is the biggest challenge your organization is currently facing?
Our biggest challenge is sustainable funding. We want to continue having a big impact on our stakeholders and it is challenging and when we have to scale down our initiatives and visions due to budget constraints.
What problem is your organization trying to solve?
There are several new startups in the Durham Community. However accessing the resources they need to be successful can be challenging. Business financing, Technical assistance, ongoing support to scale and funding continue to be bottlenecks to business growth. In addition, the constant face paced changes in technology, IT and most recently AI are important factors for small business owners to consider when building their businesses. Our goal is to stream line the resources and localize access to the support businesses need so that people can build success with hard work and committment.
What advice would give other organizations in acquiring funding?
We would advise other organizations to
1. Survey the landscape: Find and research the other players in the entrepreneurial support space and partner with them for greater impact with more efficiency.
2. Be Creative: Bring forth new ideas and efforts when reaching out to stakeholders and planning programs. We should all be brainstorming exciting ways to deliver information and content. Stakeholders receive so much information on programs. Most are great opportunities and at no cost. But it can be difficult to filter the long list. 
3. Track the impact: Be sure to get feedback from program participants.
4. Stay connected: Stay in communication with your stakeholders and funders. let them know what you’ve been up to and what is coming down the pipeline
Published October 13, 2025
Submission Provided by: Talib Graves Manns
(Executive Director & Board Chair)
As part of our ‘Partner Spotlight’ series, we introduce our 2020 ECOSYSTEM partner, Knox St. Studios. Their mission is focused on three objectives; information sharing, teaching, and apprenticeship. Knox St. Studios designs and facilitates instruction to educate community stakeholders (residents & business owners) on asset creation, growth and protection.
Describe your organization in 25 words or less.
We champion social justice, equity and inclusion. We employ our unique understanding of the economic and educational hurdles that affect diverse and underserved communities. We help people navigate a clear and forward path to economic mobility. We steward entrepreneurship and the STEM educational skills that are needed to thrive in the dynamic North Carolina ecosystem.
How does your organization support entrepreneurs?
We offer training- accelerators, startup weekends incubators and workshops. We, in partnership with Google, offer career certificates to those who want to reskill or ramp up their skill sets.
What is the biggest challenge your organization is currently facing?
Our biggest challenge is sustainable funding. We want to continue having a big impact on our stakeholders and it is challenging and when we have to scale down our initiatives and visions due to budget constraints.
What problem is your organization trying to solve?
There are several new startups in the Durham Community. However accessing the resources they need to be successful can be challenging. Business financing, Technical assistance, ongoing support to scale and funding continue to be bottlenecks to business growth. In addition, the constant face paced changes in technology, IT and most recently AI are important factors for small business owners to consider when building their businesses. Our goal is to stream line the resources and localize access to the support businesses need so that people can build success with hard work and committment.
What advice would give other organizations in acquiring funding?
We would advise other organizations to
1. Survey the landscape: Find and research the other players in the entrepreneurial support space and partner with them for greater impact with more efficiency.
2. Be Creative: Bring forth new ideas and efforts when reaching out to stakeholders and planning programs. We should all be brainstorming exciting ways to deliver information and content. Stakeholders receive so much information on programs. Most are great opportunities and at no cost. But it can be difficult to filter the long list.
3. Track the impact: Be sure to get feedback from program participants.
4. Stay connected: Stay in communication with your stakeholders and funders. let them know what you’ve been up to and what is coming down the pipeline
Published October 13, 2025
Submission Provided by: Talib Graves Manns
(Executive Director & Board Chair)