Wrap up 2023 with these 11 tech events in Baltimore and DC

Assuming you’re spending the rest of the year trying to fight the freeze and add some cool events to your roster (sorry, puns are my love language), Baltimore, DC and their broader geographic orbits boast numerous chances to link with industry peers, celebrate rising companies, check out cool emerging tech and explore new opportunities.

Here are just a few of the things you can consider, broken down by region:

DC

• Wednesday, Dec. 6 — The DC Tech Meetup concludes its year of revival and reinvention with an end-of-2023 edition that features scene updates, product demos and a concluding happy hour. Free, 5:30-9 p.m., MLK Library, 901 G St. NW, DC.
• Thursday, Dec. 7 — Meet the 2023 cohort for the JPMorgan-supported Techstars DC accelerator at its Demo Day in Arlington, Virginia. The 24 participant companies will be pitching to a mix of community members as they seek funding and attention for the next stage of their entrepreneurial journeys. Oh, and there’s networking and an afterparty. Free with RSVP, 4:30-7 p.m., address available upon registration.
• Thursday, Dec. 7 — After over a decade of supporting founders with disabilities 2Gether-International recognizes these underrepresented innovators with its end-of-year event, “Flipping the Narrative: A Celebration of Disability and Entrepreneurship.” Members of the tech ecosystem will get to network with founders from the organizer’s Disability Startup Network over light refreshments in the heart of Eastern Market. Free with RSVP ($100 donation encouraged), 5:30-8:30 p.m., 225 Seventh St. SE, DC.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 — A collaborative mixer from Startup Grind, ZEBOX and the Founder Institute provides another chance for founders, both established and aspiring, to network with DMV tech ecosystem members. Attendees can also learn about the organizers and their varied approaches, from accelerators to specialized conferences, to uplifting regional entrepreneurship. Free with RSVP, 6-8 p.m., ZEBOX offices, 1550 Crystal Drive, Arlington.
• Starting Friday, Dec. 15, into 2024 — The Hot Wheels Champion Experience turns the beloved toy cars into an immersive, tech-fueled adventure. With augmented reality and other tech that lets users drive their own cars, build tracks and fight monsters, the event takes over 16,000 square feet at Tysons Corner Center. $32.30-$136.80, timed entry in 90-minute windows, Tysons Corner Center, 1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, Virginia.

Be sure to check out more events in the comprehensive, recently launched DC Startup Calendar.

Baltimore

• Saturday, Dec. 2 — The Maryland STEM Festival continues its mission of bringing STEM to more people with the 7th Blue Collar STEM Conference. The event is designed to introduce those without four-year degrees to pathways in tech, telecommunications, healthcare and related industries. There will also be an autonomous vehicle demonstration, as well as speakers from Amazon, BG&E and Firaxis Games. Free with RSVP (email mdstemfest@gmail.com), 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Community College of Baltimore County, 800 Rolling Road, Catonsville, Maryland.
• Saturday, Dec. 2 — Detroit-born Black Tech Saturdays is coming to Baltimore to celebrate the innovation and possibilities of Black technologists and entrepreneurs, as well as build community between the two cities. Learn more in Technical.ly reporter Alanah Nichole Davis’ recent profile of the event. Free with RSVP, 4-6 p.m., Four Seasons Hotel, 200 International Drive, Baltimore, Maryland.
• Wednesday, Dec. 6 — The Novella Center for Entrepreneurship’s Conscious Venture Lab accelerator will celebrate its 10th cohort with a special Demo Day. After a window for networking and introductions, cohort members from around the world will showcase all they learned from the hybrid accelerator’s program by pitching before Baltimore’s tech ecosystem. Free with RSVP, 6-8:30 p.m., M&T Bank Exchange at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland.
• Thursday, Dec. 7 — Techstars, Stanley Black & Decker and UpSurge Baltimore join forces to celebrate the latest Techstars Founder Catalyst program cohort. Those who can’t attend this showcase of mid-Atlantic companies in person needn’t fret, as the organizers are offering a virtual option. Free with RSVP, 5:30-8:30 p.m., McGuire Hall at Loyola University Baltimore, 4501 N. Charles St., Baltimore.
• Tuesday, Dec. 12 — A special edition of UpSurge’s weekly Equitech Tuesdays gathering will honor former CEO Jamie McDonald as the entrepreneurship booster organization transitions into a new era under Kory Bailey’s leadership. Free with RSVP, Brown Advisory, 901 S. Bond St., Unit 400, Baltimore.
• Wednesday, Dec. 13 — For all the startups with limited funds to dedicate to a company holiday party, co-presenters Spark Baltimore and Startup Grind Maryland offer up the ninth annual Every Startups Holiday Party. All ticket earnings will be donated to Code in the Schools. $15, 6-8 p.m., Spark Baltimore, 8 Market Place, Baltimore.

Of course, there’s no way these are the only events you should know about. What regional tech events do you have on your calendars next month?

Let us know by emailing dc@technical.ly or baltimore@technical.ly, and remember: You have until the end of Thursday, Nov. 30 to cast your votes for the DC and Baltimore nominees in this year’s Technical.ly Awards!

Technical.ly reporter Alanah Nichole Davis contributed to this report.