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"American Underground" Selected For Google Tech Hub

American Underground
Leoneda Inge

The American Underground in Durham’s American Tobacco Historic District has been selected by Google to be a part of its “Entrepreneurs Tech Hub Network.”

The American Underground was launched three years ago – a home away from home for many young techies.  The "Terminator 2 Judgment Day" pinball machine gets a workout.

Matthew Raimundo is Director of Operations for Two Toasters, a software company that designs and develops Apps for iOS and Android.  Raimundo says it was an energetic environment.

“Here, you’re by other start-ups, other young folks that are really excited to work at their companies and really try to take the next big step," said Raimundo.

Two Toasters spent a year and a half in The American Underground before moving to a larger space in downtown Durham.

Aaron Houghton is co-founder and CEO of BoostSuite.com.  He’s also worked out of The American Underground.  Houghton says Google likely chose Durham for its new tech hub network because of its density.

“And the urban environment in downtown Durham, inside the loop and just around the loop makes it really easy to just walk from one start-up right to the next," said Houghton.

Tech hubs like Durham will get financial and technical support from Google.  Adam Klein is Chief Strategist for American Underground.

“All the teams in the American Underground are going to receive Google for Entrepreneurs start-up packs which are full of product and software credits to help take their company forward," said Klein.

Klein says there are almost 100 start-ups in The American Underground, including companies in expanded space in downtown Durham.  There are plans to branch out ever more, to Raleigh.

Durham joins cities like Chicago, Nashville and Denver in Google’s new tech hub network.

Leoneda Inge is the co-host of WUNC's "Due South." Leoneda has been a radio journalist for more than 30 years, spending most of her career at WUNC as the Race and Southern Culture reporter. Leoneda’s work includes stories of race, slavery, memory and monuments. She has won "Gracie" awards, an Alfred I. duPont Award and several awards from the Radio, Television, Digital News Association (RTDNA). In 2017, Leoneda was named "Journalist of Distinction" by the National Association of Black Journalists.
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