Accelerators are created to attract entrepreneurial talent with brilliant business ideas. Black, white, green, or blue, all have the opportunity to be a part of the magic that occurs within the walls of these important centers of innovation. With Baltimore quickly climbing its way up in the ranks of cities fueling economic growth, it seems fitting that it lays claim to one of the most intricately constructed accelerators that I have ever had the pleasure to witness, AccelerateBaltimore. Its home lies in the large confines of the Emerging Technology Center, a well revered incubator which offers up office space and aids in advising its clients on how best to expand their business ideas.
What appears to be a standard business building on the outside transforms into a warehouse equipped with visible wires, uniquely positioned artwork, an architects dream in one structure. The ETC is clearly an area meant to ignite inspiration, exhibiting its success through the first graduating class of AccelerateBaltimore who have set the bar high for aspiring entrepreneurs to come. Alongside the Abell Foundation, ETC has developed four impressive companies with great potential.
On Wednesday evening I had the great opportunity to attend the final pitches from each of the four young startups celebrating the culmination of their 12 weeks of blood, sweat, and tears. Each pitch differed from the rest, uniquely conveying to an audience of approximately 80 investors and techie fanatics the product they had spent hours upon hours everyday nurturing. Their journey began on April 2 and lasted through July 25, with each of the four companies making it through to the very end with a new sense of maturity.
- Kithly, formerly known as Hoopla, is like your own personal digital concierge. Making your social and business relationships easier to maintain, it not only manages your contacts and sets your calendar dates, but it also suggest activities to do based on users profile information. It's like LinkedIn meets Google Calendar with location recommendations as an added on benefit.
- NewsUp, formerly Flying Pig Digital, has discovered a way to transform the boring task of reading the news into a fun, upbeat game. The exciting new mobile platform makes news more personally appealing.
- NoBadGift makes the gift giving process simpler and more affordable. Combining crowd sourcing and gifting together, it allow people to contribute resources in order to make a purchase. View the birthday girl's wish list and then partner with a couple of your friends to buy her that dream gift she never imagined you would acquire.
- Unbound Concepts is entering the education realm with the ability to determine reading levels of text. A cost effective algorithm and creative solution for publishers and educational technology companies alike.
Personally, I found the night to be unforgettable with technologically savvy entrepreneurs around every corner, welcoming me with comforting smiles and intellectually satisfying conversations. As an outsider of the Baltimore Tech scene, I felt like I had been a part of the crew for years. There's something to be said about Baltimore Tech, the people you meet, the connections you make, they are invaluable.
Congratulations to the first class of AccelerateBaltimore, you did it! Your future looks bright. Continue on pursuing your dreams and remember your Baltimore roots.
