Alongside our group of 10 realLIST startups to watch in Baltimore, Technical.ly identified a second group of up-and-coming companies that we’re keeping an eye on. Perhaps some will make next year’s realLIST top 10.
With Baltimore Innovation Week upon us, let’s take a look at their progress through the year so far:

Manta Biofuel

• This company is a prime example of a startup with a bold idea that could have a global impact. Ryan Powell’s technology to create oil from algae got a boost with new funding, and space in Owings Mills. It’s one of the promising innovations to come out of the University of Maryland’s Institute for Marine and Environmental Technology.

Gunbail

• As street violence continues in Baltimore without relent, Trevor Brooks is seeking to introduce his app that allows people who were arrested to trade guns for bail. Brooks completed Accelerate Baltimore, and gained some momentum when City Council took interest.

Trevor Brooks pitches GunBail at Accelerate Baltimore’s pitch night.

Notice and Comment

• This Emerging Technology Centers–based startup launched its platform that provides data and analytics on new regulations being published in the federal register in early 2017. The lofty goal: to put more say over government rulemaking in the hands of the public.

Sisu Global Health

• Carolyn Yarina, Gillian Henker and Katie Kirsch moved from Michigan to start this company that’s developing a device to improve blood transfusions in developing countries, then caught the attention of AOL cofounder Steve Case at his 2015 Rise of the Rest event. In 2017, the startup got some new office space in Baltimore. It’s also expanding its presence in Africa with regulatory approval to sell its device in Ghana and Kenya.

Workbench

• Since moving to Baltimore to take space in Port Covington, this edtech startup changed its name and expanded its platform to new communities like the state’s library system. While it gets cool points for providing educational tools about robots and drones, the business model remains equally intriguing. This week, the Baltimore Sun reported a raise of $1.7 million in new funding for the company.