Resource Roundup: 1501 Health is opening applications to startups for its second incubator cohort

This is Resource Roundup, a look at open applications for business and career-building programs, funding and other opportunities around the region. Want to share a new resource for entrepreneurs and technologists? Email us at baltimore@technical.ly.

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Applications are set to open for a second cohort of a digital health incubator that sprang from a partnership between a healthcare payer and provider.

Healthcare system LifeBridge Health and Healthworx, the innovation arm of insurer CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield are opening applications nationally from Oct. 26-Nov. 16 for 1501 Health.

The program will select 5-7 companies for the new group of startups, which offers up to $100,000 in investment capital to participants, as well as mentorship, networking and education.

The incubator program grew out of a startup-focused partnership between the innovation teams at the two local healthcare leaders. In the spring, an application window for the first cohort drew interest from more than 120 companies across the nation.

“The best candidates are already making progress in addressing some of healthcare’s most pressing issues, and could use an infusion of support to really accelerate their impact.” said Emily Durfee, co-manager of the 1501 Health incubator for Healthworx.

The incubator is seeking companies that offer healthcare technology or services with full-time team members and clear initial traction (i.e., revenue, academic validation), and have a solution that aligns with the strategic initiatives of Healthworx and LifeBridge Health.

One of the newest Baltimore-based resources for health technology companies, the program’s first cohort is getting set to complete programming this fall. The five-company cohort includes two Maryland startups: Even Health, an Annapolis-based mental health platform to connect military servicemembers and healthcare professionals, renewed funding with the U.S. Air Force and signed additional partners during the cohort. Live Chair Health, the Columbia-based company providing health resources at barberships, is expanding a mission to tackle heart disease in minority groups and scaling nationally.

Visit the program’s website for application info and updates.

Community Job Hub Network grows

Mayor Brandon Scott announced this month that Baltimore City is expanding a program from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (MOED) that deploys workers at community nonprofits to provide job placement services for residents.

MOED is seeking partnering nonprofits as it grows its Community Job Hubs Network. Under this initiative, MOED provides a trained employment specialist to a “high traffic” nonprofit. At the nonprofit, this professional provides assistance in job placement, digital resources and connections to training, among other workforce development services.

According to the City, the program has served 8,000 people since 2012. Currently, sites are set up at Bon Secours, GEDCO and My Brother’s Keeper.

In a statement MOED Director Jason Perkins-Cohen said the program intends to increase partnerships with trusted organizations “to provide inclusive opportunities for jobs, training, and support services to residents throughout our city.” According to a news release, nonprofits interested in becoming partner sites should request a questionnaire by sending an email CJH@oedworks.com, and return it by October 29.

Jobseekers needing assistance in resume building, skills training or in person career counseling can stop by one of the City’s career centers:

• Eastside One-Stop Career Center, 3001 East Madison St.
• Northwest One-Stop Career Center, 2401 Liberty Heights Ave.
• Youth Opportunity Center, 1510 West Lafayette Ave.

If you’re unable to visit a site, then use the job seeker assistance request form.

ATHENAPowerLink

ATHENAPowerLink, a year-long program to develop women entrepreneurs and business owners in Baltimore, is holding an information session on Wednesday, October 27, at Towson University’s StarTUp at the Armory. Sign up to attend the 11 a.m. event here.

It’s a no-cost opportunity to receive guidance, support, and advice from business experts such as Laura L. Gamble, PNC Bank’s regional president of Greater Maryland.

AccelerateBaltimore

ETC (Emerging Technology Centers) opened the city’s first seed accelerator program in 2012. With support from the Abell Foundation, it has supported a variety of companies since, including plenty building healthcare technology.

Applications are currently open for this accelerator through December 5. The program is seeking startups that want to solve some of the city’s most pressing challenges. Businesses that are chosen for the 13-week program receive $50,000 in seed funding, office space, mentorship, weekly business-building programming and more.

Johns Hopkins I-Corps

The deadline is today (Oct. 18) for applications for a new cohort of the I-Corps program. Offered for technologists looking to bring innovations to market, the multi-week program offers a chance to identify valuable product opportunities that can emerge from academic research, and gain skills in entrepreneurship through training in customer discovery and guidance from established entrepreneurs. It’s offered at no cost, and provides a $2,880 grant to participants that complete the program.

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Quick reminder on resources mentioned in previous roundups:

• The Howard County-based Gula Tech Foundation has $1 million in funding available for nonprofits working on “confidence in data care.” Applications will be open through Nov. 15
• OSI-Baltimore Community Fellowships. Here’s another application with a deadline of today: Ten fellows will be chosen for the 2022 cohort and awarded $65,000 over an 18-month term for work focused on projects in Baltimore City’s underserved communities.
• Nominate a community-level leader for Baltimore Corps’ Elevation Awards by Oct. 22
• Shore Hatchery, the twice-annual pitch competition from Salisbury University, is accepting applications through Oct. 28

Donte Kirby is a 2020-2022 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The Groundtruth Project that pairs young journalists with local newsrooms. This position is supported by the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.