Trying to navigate a city’s tech ecosystem without a guide is akin to trying to navigate the city itself without a map or GPS.

With so many new companies starting up and growing up in Greater Baltimore, and new local tech leaders emerging all the time, it can be tough to keep track. This “ecosystem at a glance” guide is meant to be a starting point for anyone who is new to the tech and startup space, or anyone who just needs a refresher. It details many of the businesses, people, investors, schools and organizations that make up the foundation of the region’s innovation economy.

From produce delivery and murder mysteries, to cancer-fighting biotechs, here’s your crash course on what’s happening in the ecosystem.

COMPANIES TO KNOW

Fearless | Baltimore software firm specializing in building digital tools for government agencies | CEO Delali Dzirasa

ZeroFOX | Baltimore cyber firm specializing in providing protection against cyber threats on social media and other web platforms | CEO James Foster

STEER Tech | Annapolis Junction developer of fully-autonomous parking technology | CEO Anuja Sonalker

Personal Genome Diagnostics (PGDx) | Baltimore biotechnology firm developing in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests that can be used to analyze the DNA of cancerous tumors | CEO Megan Bailey

Protenus | Baltimore health tech firm using AI to help hospitals and health systems manage and secure data | CEO Nick Culbertson

Dragos Inc. | Hanover cyber firm specializing in security for industrial infrastructure (industrial controls systems/operational technology) | CEO Rob Lee

LifeSprout Inc. | Baltimore regenerative medicine firm developing tech to improve the treatment of soft tissue losses from cancer, aging or other diseases and disorders | Founder and President Sashank Reddy

Delfi Diagnostics | Baltimore biotech firm developing liquid biopsy tests for early cancer detection | CEO Victor Velculescu

Clene Nanomedicine | North East/Elkton biopharmaceutical company developing therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases | CEO Rob Etherington

emocha Mobile Health | Baltimore digital health firm providing a platform for providers to monitor medication adherence through directly observed therapy (DOT) | CEO Sebastian Seiguer

Whitebox Inc. | Baltimore e-commerce distribution and management technology firm | CEO Marcus Startzel

Huntress | Ellicott City cybersecurity services provider for small and mid-size businesses | CEO Kyle Hanslovan

Allovue | Baltimore edtech company specializing in helping school districts and state departments manage finances | CEO Jess Gartner

b.well Connected Health | Baltimore digital health firm offering an app that allows users to store all of their health history and data from multiple sources in one place | CEO Kristen Valdes

Catalyte | Baltimore software firm specializing in identifying workers with a tech aptitude and training them for new careers as developers | CEO Jacob Hsu

Facet Wealth | Baltimore fintech providing financial planning services for the moderately wealthy | CEO Anders Jones

Sisu Global Health | Baltimore medical device firm developing health care technologies for emerging markets | CEO Carolyn Yarina

RackTop Systems | Maple Lawn cyber firm commercializing a data storage and management platform that protects sensitive data from cyber attacks | CEO Eric Bednash

Hunt A Killer | Baltimore entertainment company distributing murder mystery games through subscriptions and retail partnerships | CEO Ryan Hogan

SmartLogic | Baltimore software firm specializing in building web and mobile applications for client firms | President Yair Flicker

Hungry Harvest | Baltimore food distribution company that “rescues” and redistributes “ugly” fruits, vegetables and other surplus grocery items | CEO Evan Lutz

Vita Therapeutics | Baltimore biotech and stem cell engineering firm developing drug therapies aimed at treating muscular dystrophies | CEO Douglas Falk

Impact Analytics | Linthicum Heights software firm using AI to help retailers and consumer goods manufacturers improve their forecasting, planning and merchandising | CEO Prashant Agrawal

Gliknik Inc. | Baltimore biopharmaceutical firm developing therapies for people living with cancer and autoimmune disorders | CEO David Block

Arena Analytics | Baltimore software firm specializing in helping companies improve hiring and retention rates using predictive analytics | CEO Myra Norton

Mindgrub Technologies | Baltimore software and digital products firm specializing in web and mobile app design, digital marketing, DevOps, AR/VR and robotics | CEO Todd Marks

Femly | Baltimore product company manufacturing and marketing organic feminine care products | CEO Arion Long

Sonatype | Fulton cyber firm developing products to help companies source, manage, automate and secure open-source components used to build software systems | CEO Wayne Jackson

Elixirgen Therapeutics | Baltimore biotech company developing vaccines and drugs to target rare diseases | CEO Akihiro Ko

Tradeswell | Baltimore software firm developing an e-commerce platform designed to use real-time data to help brands selling their products online accelerate growth | CEO Paul Palmieri

BurnAlong | Pikesville digital health company offering access to online fitness and wellness classes | Co-CEOs Daniel Freedman and Mike Kott

Pixilated | Baltimore event tech company providing digital photobooth services and software | CEO Nicolas China

ClearMask | Baltimore medical supply company commercializing clear face masks to help improve communication in health care and customer service scenarios | CEO Aaron Hsu

AsclepiX Therapeutics | Baltimore biotech company developing therapies to improve blindness-fighting treatments | CEO Robert Dempsey

RoosterBio | Frederick biotech firm manufacturing stem cells for other companies and researchers to use in drug development and clinical trials | CEO Margot Connor

Balti Virtual | Baltimore creator of augmented and virtual reality projects and products | CEO Will Gee

Sonavex | Baltimore medical device firm making ultrasound-based technologies intended to help clinicians detect post-surgical blood clots | CEO David Narrow

MasterPeace Solutions | Columbia cyber firm specializing in mission critical cyber services for government clients (also spins out commercial startups) | CEO Drew Cohen

Think|Stack | Baltimore IT company specializing in cloud and cybersecurity services | CEO Chris Sachse

Glyscend Therapeutics | Baltimore biotech company developing treatments for Type 2 diabetes | CEO Dr. Ashish Nimgaonkar

PEOPLE / ORGANIZATIONS TO KNOW

Incubators, accelerators, coworking spaces and startup studios

Deb Tillet, executive director and president of Emerging Technology Centers | “The ETC promotes economic growth by providing its member companies with the resources they need — access to seed capital, mentors, potential partners, a collaborative community, etcetera — to get where they want to go, as quickly as possible.”

Mike Janke, co-founder of DataTribe | “DataTribe leverages deep experience and expertise to build and launch successful product companies. We put real firepower behind every idea.”

Kimmy Andrulonis, director of operations at Betamore | “Betamore is a campus for entrepreneurship + innovation, co-working space and dynamic community for the doers of Baltimore.”

Bob Storey, managing partner of The LaunchPort | “We’re a medtech venture center in search of innovators!”

Shervonne Cherry, director of community and partnerships for Spark Baltimore | “Baltimore’s most collaborative coworking space, featuring private offices and shared workspace for entrepreneurs, creators and innovators, located at Power Plant Live!”

Jeff Cherry, founder and executive director of Conscious Venture Lab | “A 4-month immersion program aimed at accelerating conscious entrepreneurs to traction and revenue.”

Ken Malone and Kelli Booth, co-founding partners and managing directors of Early Charm Ventures | “Creates, owns and operates businesses that convert science into revenue.”

Mike Thielke, executive director of F3 Tech | “An agriculture innovation accelerator program for early-stage companies”

Kathie Callahan Brady, CEO of Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI) | “A business incubator and accelerator designed to cultivate entrepreneurship in Frederick, Maryland.”

Stephanie Chin, program manager of Hutch | “An intensive 24-month program that gives entrepreneurs a blueprint for building successful digital service firms, by empowering them with the tools, mentorship, and peer support they need to have a lasting impact.”

Patrick McQuown, executive director of entrepreneurship at Towson University and head of StarTUp Accelerator | “An intensive eight-week, cohort-based fellowship where ventures take residency and collaborate to accelerate their ventures.”

Gil Blankenship, founder and CEO of Maryland Development Center (MDC Studio) | “The MDC Studio supports medical device inventors who want to move their ideas beyond the lab into the marketplace.”

Aaron Miscenich, executive director of bwtech@UMBC | “An entrepreneurship community where your company can start, grow, and succeed.”

Jordan Evans and Emily Durfee, co-managers of 1501 Health | “A year-long incubation and investment program, provides early-stage companies with investment, expertise and support from the region’s leading payer and community health system.”

Funders

McKeever “Mac” Conwell, founder and managing partner of RareBreed Ventures | “A pre-seed fund that invests in exceptional founders outside of large tech ecosystems, earlier than everyone else.”

Bob Ackerman, founder and managing director of AllegisCyber Capital | “The objective of AllegisCyber Capital is to create an investment platform that can actively engage with the most promising entrepreneurs at any stage of development and deliver the market access, team building and operating experience essential to their success.”

Ron Gula, president and co-founder of Gula Tech Adventures | “Gula Tech Adventures invests in companies and nonprofits that defend the nation’s cyberspace.”

Troy LeMaile-Stovall, CEO of Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO) | “TEDCO provides funding, resources and connections that early-stage technology and life sciences companies need to thrive in Maryland.”

George Petrocheilos and R. Jacob Vogelstein, managing partners of Catalio Capital Management | “Invest[s] in the next generation of category-defining life sciences companies around the globe.”

Guy Filippelli, managing partner of Squadra Ventures | “An early-stage venture capital firm led by founder-operators that invests in enterprise software that drives value — efficiency, security, top-line revenue — located in the Mid-Atlantic and other emerging technology hubs.”

Claire Broido Johnson, managing director of Maryland Momentum Fund | “Investing in the University System of Maryland’s people and most promising tech ventures.”

C. Ashton Newhall, co-founder and managing general partner of Greenspring Associates | “We partner with venture capital managers and entrepreneurs shaping tomorrow.”

David Warnock, CEO and co-founding partner of Camden Partners | “Focus[es] on investing growth equity in lower middle market companies. We actively partner with strong management teams leveraging our domain expertise, operating experience and extended network of resources to help growth companies reach their full potential.”

Paul Palmieri, founder and managing general partner of Grit Capital Partners | “Invests in high potential entrepreneurs who seek to disrupt industries with technology and data, and are on a path to change the world.”

Robert C. Embry Jr., president of The Abell Foundation | “The Foundation is committed to being an agent of change by: supporting efforts to solve systemic social, economic and environmental problems; providing research to better inform civic conversation about relevant issues; and investing in new technologies that have the potential to benefit society.”

Scott Garber and Sam Diener, managing partners of Early Light Ventures | “A VC firm that’s tenacious as you are. We provide capital, connections, and counsel for entrepreneurs with grit.”

David Warschawski, managing partner of W Ventures | “W Ventures was created to help exciting startup companies grow, scale, and thrive.”

Advisers, supporters and ecosystem builders

Christy Wyskiel, executive director of Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures | “JHTV aims to maximize the impact of Johns Hopkins University’s research excellence by facilitating the translation and commercialization of discoveries into accessible technologies, products and services that benefit society.”

Jamie McDonald, CEO of UpSurge Baltimore | “UpSurge is both an ecosystem builder focused on launching Baltimore as the country’s first Equitech city. It’s also an investment engine.”

Tammira Lucas, co-Founder of Moms as Entrepreneurs and founder of The Cube Cowork | “Moms As Entrepreneurs exists to provide support, resources, and formal training in entrepreneurship to help bridge the gap of chronic poverty, reduce crime, and grow the economy all through mothers starting sustainable businesses.” | “The Cube Cowork is Maryland’s first coworking space that focuses on helping parents balance their careers and families.”

Michael D. Hankin, president and CEO of Brown Advisory | “An independent investment management and strategic advisory firm committed to delivering a combination of first-class performance, strategic advice and the highest level of client service.”

Marty Rosendale, CEO of the Maryland Tech Council | “MTC brings the region’s community together into a single, united organization that empowers our members to achieve their business goals through advocacy, networking and education.”

Jeffrey Freedman and Chris Haug, chapter directors of Startup Grind Baltimore and Startup Grind Columbia | “A global startup community designed to educate, inspire, and connect entrepreneurs.”

Richard Bendis, CEO of BioHealth Innovation | “An innovation intermediary that translates market-relevant research into commercial success by connecting management, funding, and markets.”

Graham Dodge, executive director of Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory (MAGIC) | “MAGIC’s mission is to build a tech ecosystem that creates and nurtures talent, entrepreneurship, and tech businesses, elevating the Westminster Gigabit Community to lead the Mid-Atlantic region.”

Joshua Barnes, COO and owner of Harbor Designs and Manufacturing | “Bringing new products to market, re-imagining the old into new and helping you commercialize your ideas into great products is our goal.”

Will Holman, executive director of OpenWorks | “Our mission is to make tools, technology, and the knowledge to use them accessible to all.”

Jay Nwachu, president and CEO of Innovation Works | “Innovation Works is an innovative, collaborative resource network that connects neighborhoods, entrepreneurs, social innovation assets, and investors to build sustainable neighborhood economies in Baltimore.”

Kwame Kuadey, president of Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Baltimore | “EO’s vision is to build the world’s most influential community of entrepreneurs.”

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore)

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Loyola University Maryland (Baltimore)

Coppin State University (Baltimore)

Morgan State University (Baltimore)

University of Baltimore

Notre Dame of Maryland University (Baltimore)

Maryland Institute College of Art (Baltimore)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Towson University

Goucher College (Towson)

Stevenson University (Owings Mills)

McDaniel College (Westminster)

Hood College (Frederick)

St. John’s University (Annapolis)

University of Maryland, College Park

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