Baltimore weekly roundup: Tracking local tech equity; over $3M for veteran communities; cyber competition finalists announced

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Baltimore Tracks talks tech equity

At the recent meeting, local leaders discussed the difficulty of gathering stats related to diversity and inclusion because there’s inconsistent participation from companies in the region. There’s also survey fatigue in general: A lot of times, the last thing a person wants to do is fill out a robust questionnaire. 

But someone offered a possible solution to further the goal of a more equitable tech ecosystem. Siobhán Hayes, director of the Tech Lab at Digital Harbor Foundation, suggested Baltimore Tracks could work more directly with local companies.   

➡️ Learn more about Baltimore Tracks’ work to diversify local tech here

Betting on Baltimore’s success

UM BioPark’s Shaab wants to see the region she grew up in rise to its fullest potential. 
 
She’s the leader behind the launch of 4MLK, a new space for innovators complete with lab facilities, flex offices and conference amenities. The first phase of the West Baltimore project is set to publicly open in January. 
 
“We are doing this project to create a first-rate scientific environment and to bring companies, quality companies, into Baltimore City .. that really will work and grow here in the city, and help the university grow and learn,” Shaab told Technical.ly editor Sameer Rao. 
 
It’s all part of a legacy Shaab built over several decades, going back to formative experiences with The Rouse Company.
 
➡️ Learn about her career journey and what her day-to-day looks like here

News Incubator: What else to know

• Maryland launched its first “bug bounty” program, an initiative to identify and contain cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the state’s IT systems. [State of Maryland]

•  After the Fearless Fund settlement, lawyers specializing in DEI warn this type of anti-DEI litigation is ongoing. But there are ways for programs to more subtly target diverse founders. [Technical.ly]

• DataTribe, the Fulton-based startup foundry for cyber companies, announced five finalists for its seventh annual challenge. That group includes Zectonal, a DC-based startup using AI to identify data quality issues in large data sets. [DataTribe]

• Maryland is offering support to military and veteran communities through new funding and programs. Earlier this month, Gov. Wes Moore announced $2.2 million in financial assistance for small businesses, including loans of up to $100,000 for businesses owned by or employing military reservists or veterans. Plus, the Maryland Department of Commerce announced a $1 million federal grant to help military bases in the state stay viable. [State of Maryland]

• Maryland-based Sandy Spring Bancorp is being acquired by the Virginia banking company Atlantic Union Bankshares in a deal valued at $1.6 billion. [Baltimore Sun]

•  Meat the Mushroom, a Baltimore startup that developed vegan bacon praised by “Shark Tank” judges, opened a carry-out restaurant in Govans. [Baltimore Biz Journal]

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🗓️ On the Calendar

• Oct. 24: Network with fellow technologists at a happy hour hosted by Baltimore Tech Meetup at Crossbar Der Biergarten. [Details here]

• Oct. 25: Astronomer Julia Roman-Duval will be giving a talk about her work at the Space Telescope Science Institute. [Details here]

• Oct. 29: Watch the women-founder-focused documentary “Show Her the Money” at the next Equitech Tuesday (I saw it in DC, it’s a great watch). [Details here]

• Through Nov. 17: The Maryland STEM Festival kicked off a few days ago. It’s a month-long series of events for kids and families focused on introducing science and technology at a young age. [Details here]