Baltimore is making another push for federal funding to support regional technology development.
Led by the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC), a consortium of public and private organizations submitted a $25 million proposal to the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Tech Hubs program in early November.
This marks the city’s third attempt to secure funding through the program. After program shake-ups as the Biden-era program transitioned under the Trump administration, the proposal also needed to be reshaped. The new one could be more competitive because it aligns with the new priorities, GBC said.
Plus, the head of Baltimore Development Corporation’s tech development initiative stepped down and Johns Hopkins University students competed for funding at its pitch competitions.
Baltimore vies for Phase 3 Tech Hubs funding
The GBC submitted a new proposal centered on defense biomanufacturing in Harford County for Phase 3 of the federal Tech Hubs program.
The EDA designated Baltimore a Tech Hub in 2023, recognizing the region’s tech industry potential. Since its inception, the EDA has dolled out over $700 million in awards across the country to boost advancements in technology and workforce development.
But Baltimore lost out on funding in the program’s first two phases. This next round will only be eligible for the 19 hubs that haven’t yet received funding.
GBC’s newest strategy features three main components: a biomanufacturing facility expansion in Harford County, venture development led by Baltimore-based tech commercialization firm Early Charm Ventures and workforce development led by the Maryland Tech Council in collaboration with Harford Community College and life sciences workforce platform BioBuzz.
The proposal prioritizes dual-use biomanufacturing, or advancing products with both defense and commercial applications. That focus aligns with Harford County’s existing assets like Aberdeen Proving Ground, a US Army facility known for defense technology development, the proposal said.
Baltimore’s approach follows a shift at the Commerce Department, where the Trump administration refocused the Biden-era investment program toward national security priorities.
“In Phase 3, the Baltimore Region put forward a strategy that builds on the strengths that earned our Tech Hub designation and aligns them directly with the administration’s investment priorities,” GBC President Mark Anthony Thomas said in a press release.
ETC Baltimore director steps down
Arti Santhanam announced her departure from Emerging Technology Centers (ETC) Baltimore after serving close to two years as its executive director.
Santhanam stepped into the role to revive the organization following a period of inactivity. She aimed to redefine its role in the city’s startup ecosystem and led the ETC’s new strategic plan, focusing on connecting underrepresented founders to capital and raising the city’s profile on a national stage.
In her LinkedIn post announcement, Santhanam highlighted launching ETC’s first venture studio for early-stage life sciences startups at the 4MLK building as one of her greatest accomplishments in the role.
“I’m energized by the future and eager to explore the next chapter of my career,” Santhanam wrote in the post. “I look forward to continuing to support the Baltimore community in new ways.”
Santhanam did not respond to Technical.ly’s request for comment.
Hopkins student entrepreneurs compete
Hopkins’ Pava Marie LaPere Center for Entrepreneurship was buzzing the first week of December as students from two semester-long accelerator programs faced off in their final competitions.
In the late-stage Fuel Demo Day, the Probiotic Cleaner Co. took top honors, earning the $15,000 judges’ prize for its sustainable household cleaner.
AI cognitive partner Altera Labs claimed the $5,000 audience prize, while blood draw innovators Veina Vascular won $3,000 from a cohort vote.
Meanwhile, in the early-stage Spark competition, over 40 teams competed, with four teams taking home the top $2,000 prize. Read more about this on Technical.ly’s public Slack.
More power moves
- Baltimore-based ReBokeh won a 2026 Zero Project Award for its accessibility tech. The startup was one of just eight US companies honored by the disability nonprofit organization.
- Maryland’s Institute for Women Entrepreneur Excellence announced former Xerox executive Teresa Payne-Nunn as its interim executive director and the new board members for fiscal year 2026.
- Jbrds, a Baltimore-based children’s footwear brand, partnered with nonprofit March of Dimes to support its maternal and infant health research.
- Hive launched an update to its Baltimore-area event discovery and community-building platform.
- The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation announced Jared Smith as its new president and CEO. He most recently served as the director of economic development and tourism for Henderson, Nevada.
- The United Way of Central Maryland appointed utility executive Rodney Oddoye as its new board chair.
- Create Baltimore CEO Robyn Murphy joined theater group Baltimore Center Stage’s board of trustees.
