Forward Cities is proud to announce the selection of seven Durham-based entrepreneurs for the Fall 2025 LevTech Accelerator cohort, marking the program’s second round of innovation and impact.
LevTech, offered through Forward Cities’ E3 Durham program and supported by NC IDEA, was created for entrepreneurs ready to integrate technology to strengthen and scale their businesses. The program helps founders adopt practical tech tools that improve efficiency, streamline operations, and expand market reach, all while maintaining flexibility for busy business owners. Each participant will also receive a $3,000 technology award and 20 Learn-to-Earn credits to continue investing in their growth beyond the accelerator.
We are excited to once again partner with Knox St. Studios to facilitate the LevTech Accelerator with Richard Brown, Knox St. Studios’ Director of Tech Careers, returning as the program’s instructor. Edwin Goutier of LaunchPath is also returning to design the program’s curriculum.
Meet the Fall 2025 Cohort
Sheba & Vincent Brown, APlus Test Prep | APlus helps clients prepare for and earn scores on exams that lead to scholarships, admissions, promotions, certifications, licensure, and more: SAT, ACT, LSAT, PMP, ASVAB, NC-LEX, TEAS, PRAXIS, and more.
Katrin Deil, Ethos & Echo Consulting; Founders on the Spectrum | Ethos & Echo Consulting provides integrated marketing communication solutions grounded in the values of the organizations it serves. Founders on the Spectrum is a membership community for autistic business owners in the beginning and early stages of entrepreneurship, serving as a safe space and mutual aid network.
Lanea Foster, SE Community Resources | SECR is a social enterprise helping agencies improve fairness, health equity, and system performance.
Duane Kennedy, SinoSync Analytics | SinoSync Analytics is an AI-powered, interactive market assessment and predictive analytics platform designed to help North Carolina life sciences companies—particularly those generating $10–$500 million in annual revenue—expand into China and other global markets with greater precision, speed, and confidence.
Amanda Pone, B&T Scrub Wear | B&T Scrub Wear is a mobile and online uniform store serving the NC Triad area, offering high-quality scrubs, professional apparel, and accessories to healthcare workers, students, and other professionals.
Gabrielle Rivero, Express & Release Therapeutic Dance | Express & Release Therapeutic Dance LLC is a movement-based wellness company that helps people of all ages recognize, express, and release emotions through the body.
Quintonia Thorpe, Prestige Money Managers | Prestige Money Managers is a boutique accounting and financial education firm specializing in empowering small businesses and nonprofits with the financial clarity, systems, and training they need to grow with confidence.
“I am excited to kick off the Fall Cohort of the LevTech Accelerator! Our more rigorous application process brought forward entrepreneurs who are defining niches in their industries and creating standout solutions for their clients and communities,” said Jacinta Walker, E3 Durham Program Director. “This group is ready to test, implement, and innovate with technology that will help their businesses thrive. I can’t wait to see their impact.”
"This group is ready to test, implement, and innovate with technology that will help their businesses thrive. I can’t wait to see their impact."
Jacinta Walker, E3 Durham Program Director
Building on the momentum of the Spring 2025 inaugural cohort, this new group joins the accelerator with a strong foundation of innovation and impact already in place. Earlier participants embraced one-on-one coaching and peer learning to implement a range of technology solutions from customer relationship management systems and e-commerce platforms to automated financial tracking and digital marketing strategies. Their continued progress demonstrates how LevTech equips Durham entrepreneurs not only to adopt new tools, but to reimagine how technology can drive growth, strengthen operations, and open new opportunities for their businesses.
As the Fall 2025 cohort begins its journey, participants will spend the next 16 weeks developing customized technology solutions to strengthen their businesses. The program will culminate in final presentations in February 2026, where each founder will share their progress, lessons learned, and next steps toward a more connected, tech-enabled future for Durham’s small business community.
We're grateful to partner with the following organizations to make an impact in Durham:
